3 Artists You'll Love If You Like Taki 183

Considered one of the founding members of the graffiti art movement, Taki 183 is an extremely recognizable artist. As a foot messenger delivering packages in the city, Taki 183 began writing his pseudonym around the New York streets. Soon enough, city-dwellers took notice. Taki 183 is recognized as one of the founders of “tagging.” The art of graffiti and tagging started catching on, especially amongst the youth of New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Today, Artsper is here to introduce you to three emerging artists that are leaving their own recognizable mark on the graffiti world. If you’re inspired by Taki 183, you’ll love their work!

1. JonOne

Similar to Taki 183, JonOne started doing graffiti on the streets of Harlem at the age of 17. In an innovative style, he employs a “freestyle” concept which he lives by-that doesn’t impose any limits. He began producing work clearly influenced by Taki 183 and his experiences from hip hop and street life, to the metro. Today, JonOne’s graffiti has expanded to traditional painting canvases-yet still in his distinct style. 

JonOne’s graffiti paintings are full of colorful gestures that play with each other. The tones are rich, deep, and contrasting, and always responding to each other. The composition appears to be spontaneous but also designed. His brush strokes are controlled yet free. Overall, the repetition and unity of his paintings result in a recognizably energetic graffiti style. 

2. Clet Abraham

Artist Clet Abraham gives a new meaning to street art by literally adorning street signs with his humorous art. Born in France in 1996 and now based in Florence, Italy, Clet puts a playful spin on familiar traffic signs using customized stickers. Although he does not use spray paint like Taki 183, his “tag” in the form of stickers has become just as recognizable. Abraham’s artwork can be seen in cities around the world, including Paris, Rome and London.

3. Seen

Under the pseudonym “Seen,” Richard Mirando of the Bronx began his career as an artist by painting graffiti on the cars in his uncle’s garage. Clearly inspired by artists such as Taki 183, Seen grew up during the emergence of the graffiti movement. He was fascinated by the painted metro trains of New York City. Vehicles became his main canvas, allowing his graffiti to be noticed not in just one place. Seen’s tag traveled throughout New York City and was recognized by many different people. His contributions to the graffiti movement through the New York subway system have earned him the unofficial title of the “Godfather of Graffiti.”

Learn more about graffiti and street art with UP Magazine

If you’re a fan of Taki 183, JonOne, Clet Abraham and Seen’s artwork, you can be sure to learn more about them and all graffiti art news in UP Magazine! UP Magazine is a print and digital publication covering street art, graffiti, and creative urban culture through a close-knit, diverse, and dedicated staff of writers, photographers, designers, and artists. The mission of this New York based publication is to provide the creative community with nuanced, provocative, and critical writing that navigates the questions of our generation. Be sure to check out UP Magazine to learn all there is to know about graffiti and street art!