The Wide World of Graffiti Alan Ket 9781580936019

A guide to the art, artists, and culture of graffiti from the 1970s to today, as told by the taggers themselves

This major co-publication with the Museum of Graffiti chronicles the worldwide graffiti movement from its birth in the 1970s, through the street and train painting of the 1980s, to its emergence as an artistic genre admired in museums and sold at auction. With hundreds of never-before-seen photographs of graffiti art from the 1970s to today, many of which have been provided exclusively for this volume by the artists themselves, the book gives an insider's view through multiple interviews with celebrated graffiti artists, including Roger Smith of Sane Smith, Hotboy Hert, DESA, Shirt King Phade, RIME, MadC, Saber, AURA, and others.

Told through essays, hundreds of images, and interviews with the artists - both the underground outlaws and the writers who went mainstream - The Wide World of Graffiti will become the standard-bearer of the art form's history and life today, a unique contribution from the first and only museum dedicated to graffiti as an art form.

Alan Ket is an artist, graffiti historian, and cofounder of the Museum of Graffiti. Ket has contributed to such publications as the 1990s cult zine Stress, and graffiti, music, and culture magazines Complex and Vibe. He has consulted on product launches embodying street culture and has worked with art institutions to develop programming. Ket has documented street art throughout the world while painting with many of the top graffiti artists.

'The Wide World of Graffiti chronicles the origins of the graffiti movement, tracing its evolution, and celebrating the artists who have shaped this art movement while educating readers about its history and significance.' - Art Burst Miami

'Taggers will love this beautifully crafted celebration of graffiti. . . It is the best kind of history book; the kind told by the people who were there, who created the art form, lived by it and are now witnessing a belated appreciation of it' - Homes & Interiors Scotland

'Ket delivers a knockout in this all-encompassing survey of graffiti culture.' - Publishers Weekly

'Through detailed essays, in-depth interviews, and stunning photographs, Ket's account makes palpable the vibrant, dynamic culture of an underappreciated art form. This impresses.' - Publishers Weekly