Like anything, these lists can, and not on purpose, miss out on some key individuals. That being said, identifying the “5 most influential” graffiti artists can be subjective… Here is our list of five graffiti artists who made significant impacts on the graffiti art movement.
Dondi
(April 7, 1961 – October 2, 1998)
Donald Joseph White, was an iconic figure in New York City’s graffiti scene during the 1970s and 1980s, was known for his bold lettering and innovative style. His work helped establish graffiti as a legitimate form of urban art. He was the first graffiti artist to have a one-man show in the Netherlands and Germany, and his work is collected by European museums.
In January 2018 on an Artnet auction, a 1984 Dondi painting, titled Solid Formation, estimated between $50,000 and $70,000 USD, sold for US$240,000.
Lady Pink
A prominent figure in the male-dominated graffiti world of the 1980s, Sandra Fabara aka Lady Pink gained recognition for her vibrant and expressive pieces. She played a crucial role in breaking gender barriers within the graffiti community earning the nickname the “first lady of graffiti” – one of the first women active in the early 1980s New York City subway graffiti subculture.
Lady Pink now visits schools to teach students about the power of art and how it can serve as a medium for self-expression and community engagement. Each year she does a mural project with the students of Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens.
Lee Quiñones
George Lee Quiñones is renowned for his elaborate subway graffiti pieces in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s. Quiñones rose to prominence by creating massive New York City subway car graffiti that carried his moniker “LEE”. His style is rooted in popular culture and often with political messages. His work has pushed the boundaries of traditional graffiti and helped elevate it to an art form.
His paintings are housed in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum of Art, the Museum of the City New York, the Groninger Museum (Groningen, Netherlands) and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (Rotterdam, Netherlands), and have been exhibited at the New Museum Of Contemporary Art (New York City), the Museum of National Monuments (Paris, France) and the Staatliche Museum (Germany).
Futura
Leonard Hilton McGurr, orginally known as Futura 2000, now just Futura, is celebrated for his abstract and futuristic graffiti style. He was one of the first graffiti artists to transition from the streets to the mainstream art world.
In 2020, Futura designed in collaboration with BMW a bespoke series of vehicles that were shown at Frieze LA 2020 in Los Angeles. In the same year, a pair of Nike sneakers that he designed, known as the “Leonard Hilton McGurr ‘Futura’ Nike Dunk High Pro SB ‘FLOM’” sold at auction for US$63,000.
https://futuralaboratories.com/
Seen UA
Richard “Seen” Mirando is considered one of the pioneers of New York City graffiti. He gained fame for his colourful and dynamic pieces that showcased his unique style and technical skill.
Amongst his daredevil antics, “SEEN” also gained notoriety in 1985 for scrolling his name across the legendary Hollywood sign. He is often referred to as The Godfather of Graffiti.
