Graffiti Art & Street Culture in Chicago and Beyond

A raw collection of photos and stories spotlighting the artistic process and dangerous adventures of a Chicago graffiti artist as he creates unsponsored works of art around the world. More than 350 photographs combine with previously untold firsthand stories to offer readers a rarely seen look into graffiti art and street culture, a subculture that has grown seemingly without boundaries. Vibrant, urgent prose takes readers into the emotions and physical experience of bringing street art into existence, capturing the moments of creation as well as the camaraderie of souls bound by these acts of expression.

Each story is a real-life mini action adventure following FLEX | KYM's trajectory from local artist to world traveler to incarcerated individual to creator with reignited passion. Underpinning the story of the art is that of Chicago and its growth into a city internationally recognized for live-action urban painting. As the art ignites a path to form global networks, the journey takes readers to New York, New Jersey, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston, Vienna, Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava, Catania, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Stockholm, Bangkok, Barcelona, Istanbul, Athens, and Berlin. The book features images of art by FLEX, ARK, FACT, SKOL, DTEK, SPIN, HEAR, NYKE, and other graffiti artists from Chicago and beyond.

This visceral look at the artistic process takes readers deep inside the world of graffiti art—a subculture that is now more celebrated than ever. The book offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing readers to witness the creation of these vibrant, illegal works of art. The firsthand stories and raw, urgent prose convey the emotions and physical challenges of bringing street art into existence, while the stunning photography captures the camaraderie and creativity of the graffiti community. As the artist's journey unfolds, readers are taken on a global adventure, exploring the growth of Chicago's urban art scene and the formation of international networks of like-minded individuals. This comprehensive exploration of the graffiti subculture provides a rarely seen perspective, shedding light on the passion, risk, and artistry that drive these creators to push the boundaries of their craft.

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