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SEEN (American, b.1961)
LOT ID: 66163
SEEN - Bubble Tag, 2007

Acrylic, and spray paint on canvas
24 х 36 in. cm.
Signed, dated and inscribed verso
Lot description
SEEN is one of the best known graffiti artists in the world, who was born in the Bronx in 1961. He began his artistic career by tagging walls and bombing (painting) subway cars throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. Over time Seen aka the Bronx Bomber became a pioneer of graffiti, and many people even consider him the Godfather of graffiti. As he became more and more well known in the city, he was also becoming more and more skilled. Historically artists have suffered for their art, but never before had it included car chases and police crackdowns. Each challenge simply heightened Seen’s ambitions, which extended well beyond New York, including tagging the Hollywood sign in LA.

It is reported that at one point in eighties in New York there were more pieces by Seen than billboards. Where others tagged on the subway and ran, Seen and his crew – United Artists – painted whole cars. After featuring in the documentary ‘Style Wars‘ it also circumnavigated the globe, inspiring countless others. His influence on graffiti is without precedent.

The significance of Seen’s work also goes beyond the subways of New York. In 1981 it took a seat alongside the work of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Basquiat in the exhibition “New York / New Wave” at P.S.1. A genre that began as a form of subversive public communication was on the way to becoming legitimate — moving away from the street and into private collections and galleries, and Seen was at the forefront.

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  • SEEN

    Psy
    spray paint on canvas
    (H 35.2, W 45.7) in.
    (89.5 x 116) cm.
    Sold for: US$8,677
    Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    Artcurial – Briest- Poulain - F.Tajan
    Lot 00078
  • SEEN

    Sans titre (tags Seen)
    spray paint on canvas
    (H 45.5, W 31.7) in.
    (115.5 x 80.5) cm.
    Sold for: US$6,842
    Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    Artcurial – Briest- Poulain - F.Tajan
    Lot 00079
  • SEEN

    Untitled
    spraypaint on canvas
    (H 36.0, W 24.0) in.
    (91.5 x 61) cm.
    Sold for: US$3,444
    Monday, October 10, 2011
    Dreweatts
    Lot 00059
  • SEEN

    Blue subway
    pen and acrylic on New York subway map
    (H 31.9, W 22.4) in.
    (81 x 57) cm.
    Sold for: US$4,500
    Tuesday, January 11, 2011
    Bonhams London
    Lot 00031
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