PHOENIX, AZ.-From its origins as an illegal street activity to its acceptance among art galleries and museums, graffiti has developed as an original visual language. It has an ancient history. From the political slogans, obscenities and lovelorn messages on the walls of ancient Pompeii to the Nazi propaganda writings of WWII and its use as a way to voice opinions during the student revolts of the 1960s and 1970s, graffiti has long served an important role in public expression. Phoenix Art Museum explores the art form’s origins and its evolution in fashion and graphics in its fashion design exhibition Graffiti Art and Fashion, on view September 22, 2007 – February 24, 2008.

Reaching a peak in the mid-1980s, graffiti had become prolific throughout city streets across the country, on building walls, neighborhood fences, subway trains and generally any expanse suitable to act as the canvas. It also had become highly controversial among government authorities and the public. A number of these original graffiti artists have since developed their work in other areas beyond the street. As a popular art form, graffiti has been commodified by its close association with hip-hop music and skate culture, and as a global genre of images circulated through the Internet. Today, it exerts powerful influence in art and design.

Graffiti Art and Fashion features early jackets and clothing painted by original graffiti artists Haze, Cey, Phade and Lady Pink; artist collaborations, such as that between Stephen Sprouse and Louis Vuitton, and Keith Haring and Vivienne Westwood; and high fashion interpretations of the style by designers Martin Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, Moschino, Marc Jacobs and Walter van Bierendonck, among others. Over 20 rare examples of this colorful and original movement on loan from artists, stylists and collectors are on view together for the first time.

The exhibition is organized by Phoenix Art Museum and support has been provided by Judy Fox Interiors and Kelly Zitlow of Suburban Mortgage.