Beyond the Streets Returns With ‘Post Graffiti’ Show at SAC

In 2021, Southampton Arts Center hosted the visiting exhibition “Beyond the Streets on Paper.” From May 11 to July 20, Beyond the Streets returns to SAC, this time with “Post Graffiti,” a show that encapsulates the genre’s journey of rebellious subway artists, originating from 1970s and 1980s New York City, to the global movement they’ve inspired.

The term signifies a shift from the illicit nature of traditional graffiti to a more accepted, legitimate art form in gallery settings. As the movement has progressed, artists associated with “Post Graffiti” continue to draw from the rich history of graffiti writing and the streets, forming a loose coalition that blurs and elevates their source inspiration through drawing, painting, sculpture and installation.

Featured artists in the show are: Andrew Durgin-Barnes, Barry McGee, Chito, Conor Harrington, C.R. Stecyk III, Crash, Eric Haze, Felipe Pantone, Futura2000, Greg Rick, Guerilla Girls, Haroshi, Huskmitnavn, Katsu, Kenny Scharf, LA2, Lady Pink, Madsaki, Martha Cooper, Maya Hayuk, Paul Insect, Tim Conlon, Timothy Curtis, Tod James, UFO and Zephyr.

“Post Graffiti” is at the core of Beyond the Streets, representing the embodiment of a larger picture of how far it has all gone and how raw it still remains. Graffiti has become a cultural phenomenon that informs music, fashion, politics, entertainment, marketing, and, of course, contemporary art. It has been on the runways of major fashion houses and memorialized in books and documentaries. If a barometer is ever needed to indicate how far graffiti as a cultural touchstone has gone, “The Simpsons,” ever the etched-in-stone pop-cultural icon, has not only made Bart Simpson a tagger, but has featured a slew of graffiti artists over the years.

About the show, Beyond the Streets founder Roger Gastman said, “In its journey from the subway tunnels of ’70s and ’80s New York to the global stage, graffiti has transcended its roots to become a defining element of contemporary culture. ‘Post Graffiti’ captures this transformation, showcasing how a once clandestine form of expression has grown into a vital, influential art movement.

“This exhibition not only pays homage to the pioneers who risked everything to express themselves but also celebrates the diverse artists who continue to push the boundaries of what graffiti can be,” he continued. “It’s a testament to the enduring power of creativity against the backdrop of societal change, reminding us that art from the streets can speak volumes in galleries and beyond.”

Beyond the Streets is an art-driven cultural and educational worldwide movement celebrating mark makers and rule breakers, agitators and instigators. Its curation showcases the best of contemporary and emerging artists, with a focus on graffiti and street art creators. Boasting over 100 artist collaborators per show, Beyond the Streets is known for its massive-scale exhibitions, immersive educational experiences and engaging pop-up events, which have played host to over 650,000 unique visitors between its shows in Los Angeles, New York, the East End, London, Shanghai and digital showcases.

Beyond the Streets was founded by Gastman, producer of the 2010 Academy Award-nominated film,” Exit Through the Gift Shop,” co-curator of ‘Art in the Streets” (2011) at the MoCA in Los Angeles, and director of the Showtime documentary “Rolling Like Thunder” (2021), a plunge into the underground world of freight train graffiti culture.

Southampton Arts Center is at 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton. For more information, visit southamptonartscenter.org.