V.P. aka VIC 161 DEDAJ

MYSTERY TRAIN

2017

Spray enamels, oils, acrylics, authentic spray paint cans, mounted resin molded brick with wood frame created by the artist. A confluence of inspirations from the artist's graffiti artistry. About the Artist Born in Belgium and artistically inclined at an early age, V.P. was executing well-defined pencil sketched portraits of anyone who would sit for him by age 4. The family’s emigration to the United States in 1967 landed the 8 year old in the Fordham section of the Bronx at the height of the psychedelic era and POP ART movement.  The Fordham Road shopping district offered the young budding artist a fount of inspiration in the form of vibrant Rock & Roll, “black-light” posters in the windows of “head-shops” and the elaborately colored wardrobes of the hippies crowding the boulevard. The pivotal shift in V.P.’s artistic expression was fueled in 1968 by the sight of a Peter Max designed billboard.  Armed with magic markers and acrylic paints, V.P. recreated the vibrant designs from Max’s billboard, the music posters in store windows and the paisley patterns of the shirts the “flower children” favored, as well as the names and slogans painted on the walls of the neighborhood.  The early seventies brought with it a wondrous sight passing overhead on the sides of the elevated trains. NYC Subway Graffiti had arrived.  Looking up and seeing the esoteric names intricately rendered in multi colored swirls and strategically placed on the sides of the trains completely enthralled V.P.’s creative and adventurous spirit. Compelled to be a part of this fascinating movement he watched and rode the subways, deciphering the names and studying the “styles” on the steel rolling art gallery. Using his artistic influences and skills with markers, V.P. created his first moniker “SONIC-ACE” and obsessively drew it in colorful flowing letters to develop his own style.   At age 13 he set out to traverse the city, facing dangers and overcoming obstacles to enter an unknown and secretive world in order to join those who inspired him.  By 1974, he would change his moniker to “VICTOR-161” and paint hundreds of train cars and soon be admitted into the world famous graffiti clique “WILD STYLE” - an honor bestowed due to peer recognized artistic and stylistic abilities.  (WILDSTYLE was created/coined by the iconic TRACY-168)  V.P. was a well known and respected “writer” who “pieced” with revered writers of the day, under the aforementioned monikers including aka’s T-BOLT-123, SULFA-ONE, FANTA-ONE, BOND & ACES.  V.P. retired from painting NYC subway trains in 1977 with occasional excursions in 1986,1987,1988,1999 & 1992.  He continuously expanded his artistic pallet, studying Art History & Graphic Design in college while seeking knowledge from masters in chosen fields of art.  His works have shown in independent galleries nationally and are sought after by international collectors, with numerous private commissions. He has been featured in several best selling books and magazines focusing on graffiti art as well as his status of having been a part of the 1970’s “Golden Era” of NYC Subway Graffiti. V.P. works with a variety of mediums including aerosol paints, oils, water color & acrylic paints, often combining mediums as well as blending POP, graffiti and abstract styles of painting onto wood, canvas and metal.  His professional artistic background includes commercial art and design, logo design, silk screening, printmaking, large commissioned public murals, sign painting, pin striping and airbrushing cars, sculpting, metal fabrication, woodcarving and tattooing. Exhibitions:  Fashion Moda (BXNY) Group Show 1980/Fun Gallery (NYC) group show 1981, Beef Gallery, (LA) Group Show 1981, Gallery International (NYC) Group Show 1985, Susan Greco Gallery (NY) Group Show 1990, Shady Side...

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