Dondi (artist)
Encyclopedia
Donald Joseph White, "DONDI" (April 7, 1961 – October 2, 1998) is considered one of the most influential graffiti artists in the history of the movement.
, Dondi was the youngest of five children. He was of African American
and Italian American
descent. He attended a catholic school during his junior years. By the 1970s East New York became an unstable region with racial tensions social conflicts such as the prominence of street gangs. In an interview with Zephyr
, Dondi stated that he had joined several gangs in the 1970s to avoid being attacked. Anxious to leave high school behind, he earned his GED in 1980, took a job in a government office, and began to indulge his interest in graffiti.
He became a member of TOP crew (The Odd Partners) in 1977. In 1978, Dondi formed his own crew, named CIA (Crazy Inside Artists), which included other prominent artists such as his good friend DURO, CRASH, DOC and RASTA. For the next 20-odd years, Dondi became recognized as the stylistic standard, influencing a generation of graffiti writers.
Dondi pioneered many of the styles and techniques still used by modern graffiti artists. Though he would often do wildstyle
pieces for the benefit of other writers (like the famous 2MANY piece), he wanted the public to be able to read and enjoy his work, so he would focus on readable letters with intricate fills and characters.
His most famous work was Children of the Grave Parts 1, 2 and 3—three whole cars on the New York subway in the years 1978–1980. The name of the piece was taken from a Black Sabbath
song. Journalist Martha Cooper
filmed the final piece from start to finish. On this last piece, Dondi adopted the cartoon characters from the late Vaughn Bode
. It was a dream-come-true for Dondi, who was building his reputation as a graffiti writer. He later painted a version of "Children of the Grave 3" in a studio.
He was the first graffiti artist to have a one-man show in the Netherlands and Germany, and his work is collected by European museums.
project.
The glass-pipe artist Marbleslinger features a Dondi stencil on a series of pieces from 2008.
Early life
Born in the East New York section of BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, Dondi was the youngest of five children. He was of African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
and Italian American
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
descent. He attended a catholic school during his junior years. By the 1970s East New York became an unstable region with racial tensions social conflicts such as the prominence of street gangs. In an interview with Zephyr
Zephyr (graffiti artist)
ZEPHYR, born Andrew Witten, is a graffiti artist, lecturer and author from New York City. He began creating graffiti in 1975 and first signed using the name "Zephyr" in 1977...
, Dondi stated that he had joined several gangs in the 1970s to avoid being attacked. Anxious to leave high school behind, he earned his GED in 1980, took a job in a government office, and began to indulge his interest in graffiti.
Graffiti
Graffiti became a serious part of Dondi's life in the mid 1970s. He tagged using “NACO” and “DONDI”, and worked on refining his style, gradually moving from simple tagging to building more elaborate pieces. Using the name Dondi (a version of his own name) was considered very risky at the time, as the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the New York police were trying to crack down on writers. In 1979, Dondi officially adopted his name when he painted a giant piece on the roof of his house.He became a member of TOP crew (The Odd Partners) in 1977. In 1978, Dondi formed his own crew, named CIA (Crazy Inside Artists), which included other prominent artists such as his good friend DURO, CRASH, DOC and RASTA. For the next 20-odd years, Dondi became recognized as the stylistic standard, influencing a generation of graffiti writers.
Dondi pioneered many of the styles and techniques still used by modern graffiti artists. Though he would often do wildstyle
Wildstyle
Wildstyle is a complicated and intricate form of graffiti. Due to its complexity, it is often very hard to read by people who are not familiar with it. Usually, this form of graffiti incorporates interwoven and overlapping letters and shapes. It may include arrows, spikes, and other decorative...
pieces for the benefit of other writers (like the famous 2MANY piece), he wanted the public to be able to read and enjoy his work, so he would focus on readable letters with intricate fills and characters.
His most famous work was Children of the Grave Parts 1, 2 and 3—three whole cars on the New York subway in the years 1978–1980. The name of the piece was taken from a Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
song. Journalist Martha Cooper
Martha Cooper
Martha Cooper is an American photojournalist born in the 1940s in Baltimore, Maryland where she picked up photography at the age of three. She graduated from high school at the age of 16, earned an art degree at age 19 from Grinnell College...
filmed the final piece from start to finish. On this last piece, Dondi adopted the cartoon characters from the late Vaughn Bode
Vaughn Bodé
Vaughn Bodē was an artist involved in underground comics, graphic design and graffiti. He is perhaps best known for his comic strip character Cheech Wizard and artwork depicting voluptuous women. His works are noted for their psychedelic look and feel...
. It was a dream-come-true for Dondi, who was building his reputation as a graffiti writer. He later painted a version of "Children of the Grave 3" in a studio.
He was the first graffiti artist to have a one-man show in the Netherlands and Germany, and his work is collected by European museums.
Legacy
Dondi had no children but left behind hundreds of paintings and drawings, the ownership of which is still being disputed. Zephyr, IZ, Doc and Keo painted tribute murals between 1998-2000. In 2007 Dondi was featured on a Converse shoe as part of the Product RedProduct Red
Product Red, styled as RED, is a brand licensed to partner companies such as Nike, American Express , Apple Inc., Starbucks, Converse, Bugaboo, Penguin Classics , Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark and Dell...
project.
The glass-pipe artist Marbleslinger features a Dondi stencil on a series of pieces from 2008.
Exhibitions and appearances
- Martha Cooper and the Radiant Children (1979)
- Esses Studio (1980)
- New York/New Wave (1981)
- Fun Gallery (1982)
- New York City Rap Tour (1982)
- Yaki Kornblit Gallery (1983)
- Fun Gallery (2) (1983)
- Museum Boymans - Van Beunigen (1983)
- European Museum Shows (1983–85)
- 56 Bleecker Gallery (1987)
- The Rempire Show (1992)
- Groninger Museum Retrospective (1992)
Further reading
- Andrew Witten and Michael White, Dondi White Style Master General: The Life of Graffiti Artist Dondi White, New York: Regan/HarperCollins Books, 2001. ISBN 0060394277 - see ZEPHYRZephyrZephyr may refer to:* A light or west wind* Zephyrus, one of the Anemoi and the Greek god of the west wind* Zephyranthes, a plant genus whose species include the zephyr lily* Zephyr , a well-known graffiti artist from New York City...