How did writers located in the South Bronx in the 1980s, become world renowned muralists, and what were their ties to the birth of hip-hop?

Following the story of graffiti from its inception in 1970s Washington Heights, to the Golden Age in 1980s South Bronx, author and artist Christine DeFazio explores the development of street art from bombing and inter-borough competition, to painting walls, and the crack down on train graffiti.

Through a series of interviews with writers such as BG 183, COSE TDS, OLGA Correa, REE 2, SJK 171, STAFF 161, T-KID 170, and Andre Trenier Bronx Visual Identity from Subway 'Writers' to Mural Artists illuminates the social conditions of the area, and how collaboration with hip-hop artists helped to cement the art forms as central to the identity of the South Bronx.

Highlighting the continued importance of the presence of artists in the community as it undergoes gentrification, this book is ideal reading for students of Art and Design, Art History, Music, Cultural Studies, and American Studies, as well as street artists and musicians.

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• Contents
• Learning objectives
• Introduction
• 1 Writing Graffiti: The pioneers of graffiti ‘writing’ lay the foundation in Washington Heights and the Bronx (Circa 1968–1974)
• 2 The Golden Age of graffiti ‘writing’: Bronx masterpieces 1974–1977
• 3 The subway art generation: Collaboration and competition 1976–1987
• 4 The art world invests in aerosol art, and ‘writing’ is performed live worldwide
• 5 Painting aerosol murals on walls
• 6 The preservation of Bronx history and culture: Community murals, aerosol festivals, and the South Bronx as an arts district
• Discussion questions
• Glossary
• References
• Recommended further reading
• Index

Christine DeFazio is an art historian, art educator, artist and curator working in the South Bronx.