New York City, 1970s: The city pulsed with a raw, electric energy that was mirrored in the vibrant graffiti that graced its subway trains and urban landscapes. Amidst this explosion of color and creativity, one name emerged with an undeniable impact: ZEPHYR. Born Andrew Witten, ZEPHYR became a legendary figure of this gritty, rebellious art form. He snuck into subway yards at night and painted on the subway cars, knowing they would transport his work around the city.

ZEPHYR began his graffiti journey in 1977. The following year he began developing a sketch book, a veritable time capsule of the culture at the time. BEYOND THE STREETS has presented the book here—an exact reproduction—complete with page by page commentary by ZEPHYR. Over the years, this book evolved into a vibrant history of graffiti culture, enriched by contributions from renowned figures like MACKIE, BIL-ROCK, REVOLT, FREEDOM & FUTURA. It also contains a rich collection of news clippings, ticket stubs, MTA items, flyers, old snapshot photos, doodles, and various other artifacts that highlight his fervor for graffiti.

This visual collection vividly shows life in New York City from the late 70s to the early 80s, with a hint of the 90s, as experienced by one of the pioneers of the graffiti movement. It stands as both comprehensive look at the creative explosion that defined an era.

Available