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SEN-1

b. 1968

SEN-1's life as a street artist started at the age of twelve when he and his crew "graffiti bombed" buildings and NYC subway trains in the '80s. Graffiti in New York City has had a local, countrywide, and international influence. Originating in the New York City Subway and spreading beyond, it was regarded by the city’s authorities as an act of vandalism, while some view it as an art form.

 

Along with other young dreamers in the early Hip Hop movement, SEN-1 felt a strong desire to represent himself and his community in the face of poverty, oppression and often death. Leaving his "SEN-1" tag large and proud around the city was a dangerously playful way for SEN-1 to develop his artistic skills and create a legacy along with his infamous IBM crew (Incredible Bombing Masters).

 

SEN-1 became well known for his artful dialogue with other graf writers on the Number 1 train and was ‘WANTED’ for marking up neighborhood buildings with spray paint. Koch’s zero-tolerance policy and Reaganomics of the late 80s ended the era of subway train graffiti, but not before SEN-1 had gained global recognition as a Master of Graffiti.

 

Despite his fame, SEN-1's artistic career took a backseat to the challenges of daily life as a young, afro-Caribbean adult raising a family on the Upper West Side in the 90s. SEN-1 continued to consult SEN’s private collectors include the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama, to musicians like Fabolous and Rita Ora. However, for other creatives in his community which attracted the attention of fashion designer Rachel Roy. SEN-1 has provided patterns for four of Rachel’s collections and in 2009 his artwork was commissioned for seven of MACY’S main avenue windows in NYC. 

 

SEN-1 has also co-produced and co-hosted TV show, “The Message” with M1 (of Dead Prez fame) in 2016 and they collaborated with Joey Bada$$ to deliver a positive message to a misguided generation through graffiti. He also appeared with one of Jay-Z’s early Hip Hop producers SKI BEATZ on major UK reality TV show, “The Only Way is Essex”.

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