Don1, The King from Queens: The Life and Photos of a NYC Transit Graffiti Master

Gasparro, Louie

Among the famous graffiti artists from New York City's 1970s subway era was an unassuming talent from the unassuming borough of Queens. The Italian-American rock and roller who wrote "DON 1 MAFIA" blasted onto the scene like a meteorite out of nowhere. His influence on this art form transcended the inner city and he became a legend and a household name. But his descent from the top of this name game, a result of the hedonistic lifestyle of New York City at the time, was just as swift, and for years DON1 has lived in obscurity. Fortunately, as a photographer studying at the prestigious school of Art and Design, DON1 documented his iconic work, along with that of his well known contemporaries, using his trusted 35mm camera. This penetrating work takes the reader inside the supernova that was DON1's creative life with nearly 200 never before seen graffiti photos of the most undocumented NYC train lines and an even rarer glimpse at work from his black book.

Collectability score

Don1, The King from Queens: the life and photographs of a New York subway graffiti writer of the 1970s and 80s. Whole cars painted in the yards at night, recorded before the buff.

EAN

9780764345005

Publisher

Schiffer Publishing Ltd

Published

28 March 2014

Pages

128

Available copies

• Very good
  £38.99