Rade, Zephyr Loves Chi / Samurai 1979

Here we have two photographs by Henry Chalfant documenting graffiti art on New York City subway cars. I can imagine Chalfant, with his camera, documenting these trains as they rumble through the city. There’s a certain urgency in capturing this ephemeral art form. You can sense Chalfant’s enthusiasm for the work of these artists, these writers. It reminds me of the energy and boldness of street art, where every line and color choice feels like a statement. The top image, “Rade, Zephyr Loves Chi,” features these wild, colorful tags layered over each other. The pinks, oranges and greens are like bursts of energy against the grey train car. Then, below, “Samurai” in bubblegum pink, feels playful and almost subversive. It is interesting to think about these artists and their process, and how the very act of painting in public becomes a collaboration, a conversation, a kind of dance.