James Prigoff on Murals and International Aerosol Art

San Francisco recently had a 'art walk' in early October which went hand-in-hand with the opening of the annual Open Studios, a series of art showings in various parts of the city showcasing artists' work in the San Francisco and greater San Francisco area. Below are a few shots of the work of James Prigoff, who is apparently now in his seventies.

James is an author, photographer and lecturer on the subject of worldwide urban murals and is one of the most important photographers of aerosol art on the international scene. He started worldwide documentation of murals in the late 1960's. His interest would eventually lead him to aerosol art (graffiti). His personal photographs comprise one of the most extensive collections of aerosol art in the world. During the late 1970s and the early 1980s, Prigoff documented many aerosol art movements (from their infancy) across the United States and abroad.

Important photographs from his collection appear in the book Spraycan Art published by Thames and Hudson in 1987, which he co-authored with photographer Henry Chalfant.

The book joined the ranks of the films Wild Style and Style Wars and the bookSubway Art in triggering the birth of additional aerosol art movements throughout the world.

He co-authored the books Painting the Towns- Murals of California and Walls of Heritage - Walls of Pride- History of African American Murals with Robin Dunitz. He was pleased to include works by BLADE, NOC, KASE 2, QUIK, A-ONE, VULCAN, SPON, E-ZONE and DIZNEY in this now critically acclaimed book. He has also written the forewords for the books Graffiti LA by Steve Grody AndGraffiti New York by Eric Felisbret (DEAL CIA). Prigoff is still actively documenting public art today.