Training Days: The Subway Artists Then and Now

by Henry Chalfant, Sacha Jenkins

Authentic first–person accounts from the graffiti artists whose creative genius fueled the movement from its beginning in late 1970s and early 1980s New York Late 1970s New York City was bankrupt and its streets dirty and dangerous. But thecity had a wild, raw energy that made it the crucible for the birth of rap culture and graffiti. Graffiti writers worked in extremely tough uncollected garbage, darkness, cramped spaces, and the constant threat of police raids, assault by security staff and attacks by rival crews. It was not unlike practicing performance art in a war zone. Yet during the fertile years of the late 1970s and 1980s they evolved their art from stylized signatures to full-blown Technicolor dreamscapes. Henry Chalfant created panoramic images of painted trains by photographing overlapping shots along the train’s length. It took time to earn the writers’ trust andrespect, but Chalfant became their revered confidant and with Tony Silver went on to produce the classic documentary film Style Wars (1983). Through a series of interviews conducted by Sacha Jenkins, we hear the voices of these characters of old New York. Quite a few of the original writers are no longer with us, but those who have survived have continued to push the envelope as artists and individuals in a new millennium.The stories they tell, included here alongside iconic, raw photographs of their work, will enthrall graffiti fans everywhere. 138 illustrations, 133 in color

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Art History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2014

Reviews

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute surreal read as the daughter of one of the featured artists. I still can’t believe that many of the artists mentioned were getting into graf at 13 and 14, as actual children. Part of me is still envious of the creativity and precision they had to stake their claim on city property. Hopefully one day my dad and I can build out a piece together. Legally, of course.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories these former graffiti writers tell are fascinating.

[David Tourgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book overall. I love the pictures of graffiti and I love the stories of experiences that the artists tell. It gives me a small taste of an era I was not old enough to see.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

[Joyita · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent primer to the world of graffiti writers and how it all started. I only wish that the book had more images, to me that would've made the book a complete 5 Star.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous, informative