Untitled Print 

This ‘Untitled Print’ is by TAKI 183, a key figure in the early history of graffiti. The colorful tags evoke the gritty, rebellious spirit of 1970s New York City. TAKI 183, whose real name is Demetrius, was a Greek-American teenager from Washington Heights who worked as a messenger. His tag, a fusion of his nickname and street number, became ubiquitous throughout the city. TAKI's story speaks to a desire for visibility and recognition. Graffiti became a powerful medium for marginalized communities to express themselves. In a 1971 interview he said, "I just wanted people to know I existed." These simple yet bold acts of self-assertion became acts of defiance against the established order. This print immortalizes a fleeting moment of urban rebellion and a desire to make one’s mark on the world.