Epic in scope and visceral in feel, this show articulates a movement that is and will continue to be hugely influential in the history of art. Graffiti began to appear, almost overnight, in the 1970s, with cryptic signature—tags—scrawled across New York City on subway cars, basketball courts, and building facades. Often political and deeply personal, this form of self-expression established itself apart from the typical white cube. Much of the philosophy of graffiti stemmed from a belief that art can function outside systems of law and property, and that art should be democratic and accessible to all people regardless of race, age, gender, and economic status.

Graffiti quickly evolved from branding walls into design-focused and intricate pieces, and by the end of the eighties, its influence and reach could be felt across fine art, marketing, politics, hip-hop, and more. As the subversive culture of graffiti boomed, spreading across the United States and beyond, the term street art began to encompass all visual art created in the public domain. White originally rooted in illegality, the popularity and shifting conversation over the medium led to an increase in commissioned murals across the world. 

The evolution from street to studio has seen artists embrace everything from traditional media such as painting and prints, to innovative mediums like vinyl toys and fashion collaborations. Exploring these works in the gallery setting helps to further shift the coded perceptions of street art and aids in solidifying its place in the history of art. Graffiti’s integral impact on the landscape of contemporary art has led graffiti historian Roger Gastman to describe it as “the biggest cultural art movement of the last 50-plus years.” 

Graffiti pioneers—such as CRASH, Delta 2, and DAZE—create studio works that pay homage to their roots while representing the diverse aesthetic found within the movement. Contemporary street artists—such as RETNA, OSGEMEOS, and Swoon—invite viewers into their unique private universes while exploring themes of language, allegory, and activism. While not typically identified with the street or graffiti movements, Yoshitomo Nara’s intervention at Niagara, a LES dive, prompts new perspectives on how studio artists are compelled to engage with public space. With works by over two dozen artists, spanning over four decades, Concrete to Canvas features the stylistic range, immense influence, and immersive experience of street art.