From NYC Streets to Artistic Triumph: A Conversation with Cey Adams, Graffiti Pioneer
Image Credit: Robert Bredvad
In the vibrant era of New York City's 70s and 80s, a unique art movement emerged from the concrete jungle, birthing icons like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Cey Adams. We had the incredible opportunity to sit down with the pivotal figure in the downtown graffiti scene to discuss his journey from the streets to artistic prominence.
Bazooka
handmade fiber paper, magazines, acrylic and acrylic ink on archival paper
30 x 22 inches
2016
Q: You grew up in New York in the 80s and became a part of the downtown graffiti movement, alongside fellow artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. What inspired you to take your art to the streets?
Cey: WOW! When I think back to growing up in New York City during the 70’s & 80’s…I recall the city being a much tougher and colder place, particularly for young kids like myself. I know this sounds harsh but…It felt like we had zero opportunities, No community programs. NOTHING! Local city officials turned their backs on us! Writing graffiti on the subways was a creative outlet of sorts…a way to get my name, my art and my message out to the public.
Image Credit: Martha Cooper
Black Heart
installation, mixed media on canvas
120 inches x dimensions variable
A for Anita Sculpture, handmade fiber paper on cardboard 36 X 36 x 5 inches
2012
private commission, Brooklyn, NY
Q: Did you have a message you were hoping to convey in your street art or was it purely for the sake of making art?
Cey: YES! First and foremost my message was…I’M HERE!…I MATTER! My friends and I are talented…we have value! Don’t disrespect or dismiss us! Everyone glorifies the time period we came up in. Things were tough! Everything I painted was an opportunity to showcase my talents to anyone that was paying attention. Museums and cultural institutions didn’t think what we did was ART nor was it equal to the artistic movements of the 50’s and 60’s. We knew BETTER!! We were young…but we had SKILLS!
Dream
installation, mixed media on wood panel
120 x 192 inches
2013
The Juilliard School, New York, NY
Q: How do you think the street art scene from the 80s differs from today’s scene?
Cey: Our scene was very different than today. We had to convince the whole world that what we were doing was worthwhile. Every opportunity was hard fought with lots of rejection, discrimination, difficulty and learning curves. We had to pave our own pathway.
The artists of today only have to look back at our missteps and make better choices. They also have all the documentation about our journey and struggles. I think they also benefited from the curators, patrons and galleries becoming more educated about the graffiti/street art movement. I believe the talented and smarter artists built their careers by studying the paths of a small handful of successful artists and creative individuals.
Q: There has been an explosion of products and exhibits displayed with the work by your fellow artists Basquiat and Haring. Nothing seems to be off the table. What is your view about the estates of these artists carrying out practices that seemingly go against the grain of what they believed in?
Cey: It’s no coincidence the estates of Basquiat, Haring and Warhol are represented by the same company. I firmly believe each artist in their own way would be leading the charge in this strange anything goes marketing revolution. I love it! Art lovers and collectors both get to have as much as they can handle. Nothing is off limits!
Pepsi
handmade fiber paper, magazines and acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 x 2 inches
2014
Sorry
Mixed media on canvas
24 x 30 inches
2017
Q: Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently in your career?
Cey: At times I wish I would have studied the business of art more. I was very young, everything happens in its own time.
Q: Favorite memory?
Cey: My journey during the 80’s traveling the world with the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC was a priceless and educational experience! Spending quality time with all the visual artists I painted alongside gave me a solid foundation to help establish myself and build a lasting career in the art business.
The ride continues!…
All American
Mixed media (Enamel, acrylic, spray paint, magazines and newspaper) on panel
192 X 96 inches
2017
photo by Jeanette Beckman
Cey Adams, a NYC native, rose from the downtown graffiti movement, exhibiting alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, and notably featured in the 1982 PBS documentary Style Wars. With an extensive roster including Run DMC, Beastie Boys, and Jay-Z, he's a prolific designer and artist. His multidimensional work delves into transformation, influenced by pop art, sign painting, and comics, exploring themes of culture, race, and gender. He lectures and teaches across prestigious institutions, co-authored DEFinition, and previously served as Creative Designer for Def Jam Recordings.