Graffiti art started as a form of rebellious expression on city walls and subway trains, but it has evolved into a globally recognized art form. Once dismissed as mere vandalism, street art has since gained respect in the art world, with galleries and museums featuring works from graffiti artists.
Most graffiti artists use their surroundings as canvases, often transforming dull urban spaces into vibrant and thought-provoking displays of creativity. Today, graffiti and street art are celebrated as unique contemporary art forms, blending spray paint, stencils, and bold imagery to create compelling visual stories.
From subway cars to international galleries, these famous graffiti artists have left their mark on cities and culture worldwide. Now, let’s explore the lives of these influential graffiti icons.
1. Taki 183
Taki 183, one of the earliest graffiti writers in history, became a pioneering figure in the graffiti art world. Growing up in Washington Heights, New York City, Taki began tagging his name on walls, doors, and, most famously, subway trains during the 1960s. He was one of the first street artists to make tagging popular, creating a wave of graffiti writers who followed in his footsteps.
Taki’s simple and consistent tags were not just about claiming space—they sparked the modern graffiti movement. His work symbolized urban expression, inspiring many to leave their mark on New York’s street art scene.
Famous Taki 183 Artworks
- Tagging on New York subway trains
- Washington Heights building tags
- Iconic walls in Upper Manhattan
2. Romero Britto
Romero Britto, a Brazilian street artist and painter, is known for his unique style that merges street art with vibrant pop art. Britto’s work stands out with its use of bright colors, bold lines, and joyful themes, reflecting a combination of cubism and graffiti elements. His optimistic outlook on life is embedded in every piece, whether on canvas or street walls.
Over time, Britto expanded beyond traditional graffiti art, incorporating his vibrant designs into commercial work, including t-shirts and high-profile collaborations with brands. His colorful murals have contributed significantly to both the street art and fine art scenes.
Famous Romero Britto Artworks
- “A New Day” mural in Wynwood, Miami
- “The Hug” painting
- “Heart Kids” sculpture
3. Cornbread
Cornbread, born Darryl McCray, is widely recognized as the first graffiti writer in history. He started tagging his name across Philadelphia in the late 1960s, gaining attention for marking public spaces with “Cornbread” everywhere.
His bold move to tag an elephant at the Philadelphia Zoo and even a jet solidified his place as one of the notorious graffiti artists in the graffiti writing world.
Cornbread was different from other street artists because he was not just claiming space—he was making a statement. His work in the movement’s early years laid the foundation for graffiti’s eventual spread to cities like New York and Los Angeles.
Famous Cornbread Artworks
- Cornbread tag on Philadelphia Zoo’s elephant
- Tagging Philadelphia’s city walls
- Jet graffiti on a private plane
See all Cornbread Artworks.
4. Cope2
Cope2, a renowned graffiti artist from the Bronx, has been a dominant figure in the New York graffiti scene since the 1980s. Known for his bold, wildstyle graffiti, Cope2’s work has spanned decades, influencing both the streets and gallery art.
His signature style includes intricate layers of bright colors, bubble letters, and bold lines, blending raw street energy with artistic detail.
Cope2’s art can be seen on subway trains, murals, and canvases, which helped him gain international fame. He has successfully bridged the gap between graffiti art and fine art, showing his work in galleries and exhibitions worldwide.
Famous Cope 2 Artworks
- Wildstyle murals on Bronx walls
- Subway car graffiti in New York City
- Mural for the “Art in the Streets” exhibit at MOCA, Los Angeles
5. Andre Saraiva
French artist Andre Saraiva is best known for creating the character “Mr. A,” a stick figure with a wide smile and top hat. His playful character became iconic in Paris during the 1990s, eventually spreading across Europe and the globe. Saraiva has been involved in various fashion and commercial collaborations, pushing his art beyond walls.
Andre’s work blends graffiti art with commercial and fashion lines, making him one of the few graffiti artists to transition between street and commercial art successfully. His style is light, humorous, and engaging, often challenging the boundaries of traditional street art.
Famous Andre Saraiva Artworks
- Mr. A graffiti throughout Paris streets
- “Love Graffiti” project
- Murals in New York’s Bowery Wall
6. Seen
Seen, often called the “Godfather of Graffiti,” is one of the most famous graffiti artists who has greatly influenced the street art scene with his large-scale works across New York’s subway trains.
Starting his career in the 1970s, Seen’s colorful murals transformed train cars into rolling galleries, marking his influence on both graffiti art and street art.
Seen later transitioned from the streets to gallery art, showcasing his work internationally. His ability to adapt his graffiti to gallery settings helped him become a well-known artist both within and outside the street art scene.
Famous Seen Artworks
- Iconic murals on New York subway trains
- “Superman” series
- Gallery murals featured in San Francisco and London
7. Al Diaz
Al Diaz is best known for his collaboration with Jean-Michel Basquiat on the SAMO project, which left a lasting mark on New York’s street art scene. Known for cryptic, socially aware messages, Diaz and Basquiat used their platform to critique politics and society.
Diaz’s style leaned toward stencil graffiti and poetic phrases, creating a unique blend of street art and language. As one of the early American artists to merge graffiti with commentary, Diaz remains a critical figure in street art bio.
Famous Al Diaz Artworks
- SAMO graffiti across Lower Manhattan
- Poetic stencils throughout New York
- Collaborative pieces with Jean-Michel Basquiat
8. Tracy 168
Tracy 168 is a groundbreaking figure in the world of wildstyle graffiti. In the 1970s, he was known for creating intricate and complex graffiti writing. He founded the “Wild Style” movement, which focused on intertwining letters and elaborate designs.
Tracy’s influence on the street art scene in New York helped shape the art world’s perception of graffiti as a true form of expression. His dynamic style influenced other graffiti artists, designers, and graphic designers.
Famous Tracy 168 Artworks
- Wildstyle murals across the Bronx
- Graffiti writing on New York subway cars
- “A Line Vandals” featured in early graffiti documentaries
9. IZ the Wiz
IZ the Wiz, born Michael Martin, became a legendary figure in New York City’s graffiti art scene one of the most famous graffiti artists during the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his bold tags covering subway trains, IZ was one of his era’s most prolific graffiti writers. He was famous for his “all-city” status, meaning his work could be found throughout the entire city, from the Bronx to Brooklyn.
IZ’s style focused on clean, bold lettering, making his tags stand out among the masses of graffiti that filled New York’s streets. As one of the notorious graffiti artists of his time, IZ left a lasting impact on the urban landscape and the art world.
Famous IZ the Wiz Artworks
- Extensive tagging on New York subway cars
- Collaborations with other legendary graffiti writers
- Murals featured in San Francisco exhibitions
10. Utah & Ether
Utah & Ether is a graffiti artist duo known for their daring global graffiti campaigns. They gained recognition by tagging subway systems in cities like Paris, London, and Buenos Aires. Their work often explores themes of urban decay and identity, showcasing a rebellious spirit that resonates with street art enthusiasts worldwide.
They are known for their raw, unpolished style, which emphasizes the fleeting nature of street art. Using spray paint and stencils, their graffiti captures the chaotic energy of city life and leaves an imprint on subway systems and urban landscapes.
Famous Utah & Ether Artworks
- Subway bombing in Paris
- Large murals in Buenos Aires
- Tagging across London’s train network
11. Sane Smith
Sane Smith, another famous graffiti duo, made waves in New York’s street art scene during the late 1980s. Known for their clean, bold, and simple tags, Sane and Smith are most remembered for their audacious graffiti on the Brooklyn Bridge. They became notorious graffiti artists for targeting high-profile spots across the city.
Unlike other graffiti artists, Sane Smith focused more on strategic locations than intricate designs, making their work stand out. Their daring exploits pushed the boundaries of what was possible in New York’s graffiti scene.
Famous Sane Smith Artworks
- Iconic tags on the Brooklyn Bridge
- Large pieces on New York subway trains
- High-profile graffiti in Manhattan’s skyline
12. Enrique Enn
Enrique Enn is a Venezuelan street artist known for his surreal and vibrant murals that cover urban landscapes across South America. His work blends bright colors with dream-like imagery, creating pieces that feel both whimsical and reflective. Enn’s style often incorporates elements of stencil graffiti, blending fine details with bold shapes.
His large-scale murals in cities like Buenos Aires and São Paulo have gained international attention, making him a well-known figure in the street art scene. Enrique’s art explores identity and cultural dynamics, resonating with audiences both locally and internationally.
Famous Enrique Enn Artworks
- Mural in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- “Dreamscape” mural in São Paulo, Brazil
- Surreal Graffiti series in Caracas, Venezuela
13. SJK 171
SJK 171 is an influential New York graffiti artist from the 1970s. He is known for pioneering unique letterforms and designs on subway trains. He started as one of the early graffiti writers in New York, using bold colors and dynamic shapes to make his work stand out on the city’s subways.
His intricate letter designs became iconic, influencing many young artists who admired his creativity. SJK 171’s style bridged the gap between graffiti and fine art, and his work helped shape the evolution of graffiti art in New York.
Famous SJK 171 Artworks
- Tags on New York subway cars
- Unique letterform murals across the Bronx
- Featured graffiti in early 1970s graffiti documentaries
14. Zevs
Zevs, a French street artist, is famous for his “liquidated logos” series, distorting corporate logos into dripping, abstract forms. He blends street art with commentary on consumer culture, making his work a critique of modern branding and commercialism.
Zevs often incorporates stencil graffiti techniques in his pieces, creating sharp contrasts and striking visuals. His work has been displayed across the streets of Paris and beyond. Zevs’s thought-provoking art continues to challenge traditional notions of fine art by mixing commercial imagery with subversive techniques.
Famous Zevs Artworks
- “Liquidated Louis Vuitton” mural
- Graffiti in the streets of Paris
- “Liquidated McDonald’s” in Hong Kong
15. T Kid
T Kid, a well-known New York graffiti artist, gained prominence in the 1980s for his bold characters and vibrant lettering. His work on New York’s subway trains became legendary, and his street art style combined graffiti with comic art and animation elements.
T Kid’s art stands out for its energetic and colorful compositions, making him a favorite in the graffiti world. His ability to blend street culture with artistic design made his work influential in New York and globally.
Famous T Kid Artworks
- “TKID Wildstyle” on New York subway cars
- Murals in the Bronx
- Gallery exhibitions featuring his street-inspired art
Frequently Asked Questions About Graffiti Artists
Who is the Most Famous Graffiti Artist of All Time?
Banksy is often considered the most famous graffiti artist. He is known for his politically charged street art, including the ” Heart-Shaped Balloon” and various commissioned murals worldwide.
Who was the first famous Graffiti Artist?
Cornbread is recognized as the first famous graffiti artist. He began tagging his name across Philadelphia in the late 1960s, making him a pioneer in making art through graffiti.
What is the Difference Between Graffiti Art and Street Art?
Graffiti art focuses primarily on lettering and tags. In contrast, street art includes a broader range of artistic expressions, like murals and commissioned murals, often created by graphic designers or toy designers.
Is Graffiti Art an Art Movement?
Yes, graffiti art evolved into an art movement, much like bombing science, gaining respect within the art world. It has also influenced contemporary artists like Shepard Fairey and King Robbo.
Is Graffiti Art an Art Medium?
Yes, graffiti art is considered an art medium. It often utilizes spray paint and stencils. Many artists, including American artists, use graffiti to express personal or political messages.
Is Graffiti Art an Art Genre?
Yes, graffiti is recognized as an art genre, distinct from traditional art forms. Artists like Martha Cooper and Shepard Fairey have documented and contributed to modern genre evolution.
