New York City’s streets are home to a wide range of street artists, graff writers, or vandals, depending on what vernacular you prefer. For most New Yorkers it’s easy to appreciate the more conventionally beautiful of the artists’ work, while the murky and destructive world of the tagger is a seeming blight on the city. As they function in practice, the two schools feed off each other and depend on each other to breed competition and innovation. The story of New York Graffiti is the quintessential story of struggling young artists / criminals. Many come from humble backgrounds, some are spoiled rich kids, most have personal demons. A few go on to make serious money in the art world while most sputter out as they settle in to their thirties…or are maimed, go to prison, or die. Check out gridskipper.com to see a guide to some of the famous graffiti pieces still running. Art from Claw, Earsnot, Revs, Faro, Goya, Lions, Map, Miss 17, Neckface, Sacer, Swoon, and UFO.