SEN-1 AN URBAN LOVE STORY
ABOVE: Wanted poster of SEN-1, for graffiti writing in New York City; RIGHT: SEN-1 tagging in the subway tunnels, ca. 1983-84
COVER: Urban Symphony, Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 32” x 43”
“For us... it was life, it was our culture. We believed we could die the next day and it was about leaving our stamp behind, our –mark.”SEN-1
Kristine Feeks Hammond, Galerie d’Orsay Co-Director, with SEN-1 discussing his early life Photo courtesy of Martha S. Folsom, Galerie d’Orsay Co-Director
“Hip hop culture believes that people can take control of their lives through self-knowledge and self-expression.”
The birth of hip hop culture spun up from the rumbling trains and hard concrete of New York City; the heartpounding beats, acrobatic break-dancing, and “wildstyle” graffiti. Brought along by his older brother, this twelve year old boy from lower Harlem began breaking into train yards and tunnels to leave his now famous “SEN-1” tag. In a community where fathers were sparse, money was short, and hope was fickle, longevity was barely an ambition. “I was doubtful at that point to make it to fifteen [years old] let alone get into my 50s.” SEN-1 and his revered IBM Crew (Incredible Bombing Masters), later became one of the most respected graffiti crews in hip hop history. They tagged as an escape, meticulously planning their “bombs” in countless notebooks. However, it was also an effort to be remembered, to cement a legacy in a life threatened by violence, drugs, and the reckless creativity of their art-making.
As graffiti has evolved from the rebellious spirit of its youth, so too has SEN-1, gathering fans the likes of former First Lady, Michelle Obama, signer/songwriter, Rita Ora, and rapper, Fabolous, along the way. He has traveled to Italy, England, and Tanzania for paid public commissions and devotes his time to working with at-risk city youth. SEN-1 says his first love was graffiti; before he even knew about girls, he was head-over-heels in love with the rush of graffiti writing. Today, he carves out time for his extensive charitable work as well. Although obstacles like violence and incarceration loomed large in SEN-1’s life, the social programs and community center of his youth were places of refuge, and SEN-1 is determined to give back. SEN-1 collaborates with numerous youth-centric NYC charitable organizations, boldly inspiring others to seek self-knowledge and selfexpression, just as hip hop preaches.
Although aesthetics sparked Galerie d’Orsay’s initial interest in SEN-1’s compositions—they are riveting, layered, masterful, and beautifully capture the complexities of the American experience—SEN-1’s wildly compelling personal story imparts an unsurpassed authenticity in a genre growing increasingly crowded with newcomers.
In 2017, my colleague and Co-Director, Martha S. Folsom, first met and established an immediate connection with SEN-1. Since then, it has been our honor to place his works in many local, national, and international collections; we will gladly assist you in finding your own painting, too. Living with SEN-1’s paintings in your home allows you to experience firsthand all the raw emotion and history they contain. He is nothing short of a supremely talented legend. This book barely scratches the surface, but we hope it proves to be a worthy initial telling of his story.
– Kristine Feeks Hammond, Galerie d’Orsay Co-Director
Leaving his “SEN-1” tag large and proud around the city was a dangerously playful way for SEN-1 to develop his artistic skills and create a legacy along with his infamous IBM crew (Incredible Bombing Masters).
SEN-1 ABOUT
SEN-1’s life as a street artist started at the age of 12, when he and his crew “graffiti bombed” buildings and NYC subway trains in the ‘80s.
Graffiti in New York City has had not only a local influence, but also an international one. Originating in the New York City Subway and spreading beyond, it was regarded by the city’s authorities as an act of vandalism, while others viewed it as an art form.
SEN-1 became well known for his artful dialogue with other graf writers on the Number 1 train and was ‘WANTED’ for marking up the
Along with other young dreamers in the early Hip Hop movement, SEN-1 felt a strong desire to represent himself and his community in the face of poverty, oppression, and often death.
SEN-1, New York, NY, 2021 Portrait by Ben Flythe
neighborhood buildings with spray paint. Mayor Ed Koch’s zero tolerance policy and Reaganomics of the late ‘80s ended the era of subway train graffiti, but not before SEN-1 had gained global recognition as a Master of Graffiti.
Despite his fame, SEN-1’s artistic career took a backseat to the challenges of daily life as a young, afro-Caribbean adult raising a family on the Upper West Side in the ‘90s. SEN-1 continued to consult, however, for other creatives in his community which attracted the attention of fashion designer Rachel Roy. SEN-1 has provided patterns for four of Rachel’s collections and, in 2009, his artwork was commissioned for seven of Macy’s main avenue windows in NYC.
A major piece by SEN-1 on the 1 train, dedicated “TO MY BRO RICKY,” 1984
SEN-1 in his childhood bedroom, New York City, ca. 1985-86 Photo courtesy of Ricky Mujica
SEN-1 has also co-produced and co-hosted the TV show, “The Message,” with M1 (of Dead Prez fame) in 2016 and they collaborated with Joey Bada$$ to deliver a positive message to a misguided generation through graffiti. He also appeared with one of Jay-Z’s early Hip Hop producers SKI BEATZ on the major UK reality TV show, “The Only Way is Essex.”
SEN-1’s private collectors include the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama in association with her Let’s Move campaign, to musicians like Fabolous and Rita Ora.
SEN-1’s school photo from boarding school, ca. 1976
EARLY LIFE
89th Street & Amsterdam Avenue, New York, ca. 1970s
“This is my block, my area. These are the projects, the old tenements, the burned down lots, and the buildings.” – SEN-1
SEN-1 was born and raised in Lower Harlem and from an early age, learned to fight for himself against a city and government institutions that were often poised against him. He tagged along with his older brother, learning the ropes—not only about surviving the streets of New York, but also making those same streets his canvas. Graffiti was SEN-1’s first love, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that it saved him; graffiti afforded SEN-1 and his friends a voice and allowed them to make their mark on the world, literally and figuratively.
Joan of Arc Junior High School, 154 W. 93rd Street, New York
INSET: Detail of SEN-1’s piece at the Joan of Arc Junior High School
“Leaving your name up and seeing your name again at that age and getting away with it, I can’t even explain it. It just felt so amazing. You got to school and everyone would be talking about it. It made you a celebrity—a street celebrity.”–SEN-1
Urban Development - Gentrification - The Last Family on the Block Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 24 1/2” x 32 1/2”
Abandoned apartment buildings, New York; buildings like these were SEN-1’s playground as a teen growing up on the streets of New York
SEN-1 and Tico at Astor Hair, ca. 1989
“Astor Place was the place to be—it was like going to a night club in the daytime. We would go every Saturday... you had to wait for hours to get a cut... it would be so packed. [Tico] took this pic for his mirror and one day when I went in, he gave it to me.”–SEN-1
ABOVE: SEN-1’s member card for his first breakdancing crew. At this time, he was going by “Gio”
I
ABOVE SEN-1 sitting in front of his tag in the tunnels wanted my tag to be ‘SENDER.’ The older guys laughed and said, “it’s too long, you’ll get caught. You can pick ‘SEN’ or ‘DER.’” I wasn’t going to be ‘DER’, so that’s how I became ‘SEN.’
...Well,
:
TOP: SEN-1 and crew on 125th Street rails BOTTOM: POKE, SEN-1, and EPIC in the tunnels
I Gave You Power spray paint
and inks on canvas, 37” x 24”
Oil-based
SEN-1, New York, NY, 2021
Portrait by Ben Flythe
COLLABORATIONSRECOGNITIONS+
201419-25,JuneYork,NewOutTimeofCover
Zoo York Oil-based spray paint and inks on skateboard, mounted to frame 26” x 29” x 5 1/2” COLLABORATIONSRECOGNITIONS+
ABOVE: Jacket from the Macy’s limited edition 2016 Rachel Roy collection featuring graffiti by SEN-1; OPPOSITE: Purse by Rachel Roy with graffiti by SEN-1, featured in Teen Vogue
SEN-1 at Richard Avedon’s 60th birthday; SEN-1 was commissioned to create a special birthday message for Avedon, one of the most highly celebrated photographers of the last century, famous for his iconic fashion photography & portraiture
SEN-1 has received commissions from Time Out New York, and from such notable figures as former First Lady, Michelle Obama (in association with her ‘Let’s Move’ campaign to end childhood obesity), as well as musicians, Fabolous and Rita Ora
.
ABOVE (Clockwise): SEN-1 and Rita Ora; SEN-1and Fabolous; a custom Converse shoe designed for First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign, photographed in front of the White House
“For the kids work together... They work with speed, they work with cool, they paint their masterpieces... They are elegant in movements.”their
– Norman Mailer,
LEFT: Self-portrait by SEN-1 as ‘Mugsy;’ the Mugsy character was created by DOZE GREEN, a member of the legendary Rock Steady Crew CENTER: SEN-1 featured in the Yorkshire Evening Post for his collaboration on a custom mural in Leeds, England
‘The Faith of Graffiti,’ 1973
The young kids look up to him. Because of his rough, rough upbringing, all the young troubled kids... he is the only one that can talk to them and have them listen. I know he has saved their lives by talking to them [through these charitable organizations].”
– Ricky Mujica, SEN-1’s brother
“When [SEN-1] says it has never been about himself, he really, really, really means it. Ever since he started doing graffiti. It has never been about him... he always stood up for the culture, he always stood up for other artists. In fact, almost to his detriment, he has always held up other graffiti artists more than himself. He has always tried to bring everyone else up. And he has never stopped.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
LEFT: “Future in the Paint” event with Ladies Who Hoop, creating custom shoes with inner-city kids
SEN-1 + GALERIE D’ORSAY
– Martha S. Folsom, Gallery Co-Director Text as quoted appeared in Boston Common magazine, December 2020 –
“We had an immediate connection, and I was overwhelmed by his story and authenticity, I could see his struggle laid out right there on the canvas. His paintings touch on the complex layering of the American experience and reverence for cultural history in the most compelling way. It’s telling that the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is featuring Basquiat as its blockbuster show for 2020.
Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 33 1/2” x 43”
January 2021
An Urban Conversation
With the world waking up to issues of racial injustice and diversity, this is only the beginning of a very important time in art history. We’re proud of what SEN-1 adds to that conversation. We’re encouraging our collectors to listen.”
GALERIE D’ORSAY
Martha S. Folsom & SEN-1 outside Galerie d’Orsay, Boston; SEN-1’s painting, “The Art of Democracy,” hangs in the front window on Newbury Street Photo courtesy of Ben Flythe
SEN-1 +
SEN-1 & Galerie d’Orsay collectors at the opening for ‘Partners in Palette’ (2017) Photo courtesy of Ben Flythe
AN URBAN CONVERSATION
Galerie d’Orsay’s first exhibition honoring SEN-1 paired off the graffiti master’s bold canvases with icons of the art world, Joan Miró and Alexander Calder. Richard Roblin’s studied linework served as the counterpoint to SEN1’s playfully rebellious paintings.
‘An Urban Conversation’ paired Modern Masters like Pablo Picasso & Henri Matisse with contemporary masters including SEN-1, highlighting the dialogue that can happen between artists across time and cultures.
PARTNERS IN PALETTE
“An artist’s duty... is to reflect the times.”–Nina Simone
Reflection
Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 48” x 72”
Urban Instincts Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 43” x 32”
No Trespassing Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 53 1/2” x 72”
Mad Mugsy
Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 52” x 54”
Three, Six, Nine
Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 55” x 59”
Public Zoo Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas 42” x 67 1/4” Flower Power Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas 40” x 30”
Warning Signs Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 39” x 56”
“Don’t push me ‘cause I’m close to the edge I’m tryin’ not to lose my head It’s like a jungle sometimes It makes me wonder how I keep from going under.”–“The Message” Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, 1982
Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 12” x 16”
Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 24” x 24”
Soul Kiss
Love Time
A Peace of Love Oil-based spray paint and inks on42”canvasx72”
AMERICANA
Apple Pie Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 39” x 56”
SEN-1 working on “Apple Pie” (left) in his studio;
Photo courtesy of the artist
– SEN-1 on The ‘Americana’ Series
I started painting the American flags back in 2009 after collaborating with Rachel Roy—a New York designer—on the windows at Macy’s. I developed a new style with the American flags, what I call “abstract graffiti expression.”
day one, I always referenced historical flags—those that were created to commemorate elections, different presidents, the addition of new states. Really, any number of occasions could result in a new flag. It’s such a strong, graphic representation of something much bigger than any one person or idea: mine is just one perspective in the American narrative.
At that time, I was the only graffiti writer showing at the international art shows and the American flags were very well received.
Historically, the American flag has always meant something bigger than itself—and its meaning has changed many times over the course of American history. Not only that, but it has also changed visually. The earliest flags were handmade, mostly by women, and I’ve always felt connected to that tradition through ‘hand-making’ my own flags. I come from a family of strong women who made everything by hand. Graffiti is also passed down from generation to generation and it gave us a voice when we didn’t have
Fromone.
Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas, 51 3/4” x 36”
State of Grace
Made in America: Black Cotton Oil-based spray paint and inks on canvas 42” x 67 1/4”
“This country has never healed. You have a mountain of issues that have never acknowledged.”been–SEN-1
“Native Resilience” on display at Galerie d’Orsay, Boston
Photo courtesy of Martha S. Folsom
canvas, 31” x 67”
Resilience
Native
Oil-based spray paint and inks on
Contributors: Ben Flythe | Madeline De Michele Martha S. Folsom | Kristine Feeks Hammond | Devon Engle With Special Thanks to Legendary Graffiti Master, SEN-1 33 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MA 02116 | 617.266.8001 | INFO@GALERIE-DORSAY.COM WWW.GALERIE-DORSAY.COM
