“The Pioneer’s Show” features early graffiti writers from the mid 1960’s to early 1970’s - the living legends - CORNBREAD, CHARMIN 65, WICKED GARY and BAMA. Curated by pioneer JAMES TOP for Black History/Future Month, the exhibition is at Village Works from February 4th to the 17th, 2022.

The show explores the graffiti milestones of CORNBREAD as a “first writer”, as the person (in 1965) first known to tag his name for the purpose of repetitive exposure, not just to establish territory or mark one’s presence. Cornbread was also the first known in this history to go from marker to aerosol, making him a king of the art form. The inclusion of BAMA and WICKED GARY acknowledges this artistic expression simultaneously percolating in the east coast cities of New York and Philadelphia. CHARMIN 65’s participation, celebrates her immense talent and the historical step forward Charmin took, as the first known female to tag a NYC subway train, with the modern intent of repetitive exposure. The show’s catalog recognizes and shows respect to this history shared by the other early writers, both those embracing or rejecting the term of “graffiti or graff”.