Contemporary street art got its start somewhere around the 1960s, and soon after, graffiti artists took to the streets to find an outlet for their creativity in public spaces and rebel against the unjust systems that were in place.

What started as an act of rebellion has now become a popular form of expression all over the globe. Famous street artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat rose to fame in the 1980s, shed a light on political issues and their cultural heritage, and inspired emerging artists to carry their legacy forward.

Here, we’ll take a look at four notable street artists who continue to dominate the art scene with their powerful imagery.

Daze

Born in New York City, Chris Daze Ellis started his career as a painter in 1976. He painted subway cars when he was studying at the high school of Art and Design. Some of his famous work can be observed around the streets of Los Angeles, Baton Rouge, and the Bronx as well. He’s been fortunate enough to transition from the subways to galleries.

The characters in his paintings are eye-catching and frightening at the same time. He compares his creative process to that of jazz musicians and believes that street art taught him how to improvise and create something beautiful on spot.

@dazeworldnyc

Skubalisto

Skubalisto is a street artist from Cape Town who got famous for the vibrancy of his murals and paintings. Through his art, he breathes life into dull public spaces that could do with some color. His paintings can be found in studios and public spaces and are mostly focused on his cultural heritage and shining a light on musical legends like Brenda Fassie.

@skubalisto

Blade

Blade is one of the most prominent graffiti artists in the world and is widely known as the ‘King of Graffiti.’ He’s based in New York and has managed to paint over five thousand trains. He began his career in the 1970s and introduced new styles, like 3D letters, into graffiti art that have now become very common.

His most famous work can be seen in galleries all around the world. His distinctive murals aren’t influenced by other graffiti artists and feature a unique style that’s composed of abstract images, letters, and iconic characters. There aren’t any political messages behind his images because his artistry is a way for him to express his individuality.

@bladekingofgraf

N Carlos J

N Carlos J is another street artist from New York City whose works are on the streets and in galleries. His paintings cast a light on the unconscious mind and our innermost feelings.

His work merges elements of illustration, painting and drawing. When he was a teenager, he was deeply fascinated with renaissance paintings and abstract expressionists, and that had a major influence on his style.

He’s also a curator who has created many underground art experiences that bring visual artists with unique styles under one roof.

@ncarlosj

The Final Word

Regardless of your opinion about street art, whether it’s a form of vandalism or a form of expression, it’s one the most photographed forms of art across the globe. In a world where contemporary art has become so inaccessible, street art jazzes up boring architecture and is free for everyone to observe and capture.