COMPLEXITY opens with live painting and a legendary graffiti exhibition

Live painters (l-r:) 2Sick, Sence, SireOne, Chef Jason Vickers of Natoncks Metsu who took some time before catering the opening to pose with his crew mates, By Any Means. Not pictured: Specs Wizard. Photo by Tina LaPadula.

On Thursday, June 6, we celebrated the opening of COMPLEXITY at ARTS at King Street Station. Four graffiti artists painted canvases live in the plaza of King Street Station, while DJ Supreme La Rock spun in the gallery and Natoncks Metsu dished out food for guests. Scroll through for photos of the opening event.

COMPLEXITY is on view until July 20, 2024. ARTS at King Street Station is FREE and open Wednesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on First Thursdays. The gallery is located at 303 S. Jackson St., Top Floor, Seattle, WA 98104.

DJ Supreme La Rock spins at DJ booth — DJ Supreme La Rock. Photo by Nadia Ahmed.

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) in partnership with The American Graffiti & Urban Art Conservation Project (AMGRAF) and APEX Art & Cultural Center is honored to bring the legendary DogTown Collection to ARTS at King Street Station. COMPLEXITY is a celebration of graffiti art and culture, presented in all its forms.

Curated by Sire One (ARTS) and Baby-G Carswell (AMGRAF), COMPLEXITY demonstrates what graffiti is and can be, offering local examples of the art style and its history.

The DogTown Collection is an epic collection of masterpieces created by some of the most influential graffiti writers to have painted over the last 50 years. Over 20 pieces from it will be on display along with additional works from local writers contributing pieces from their personal collections, including black-books, magazines (pre-Instagram), jackets, stickers, and more.

With this exhibition, the curators hope to foster a deeper understanding of the complexity of graffiti and aerosol expressionism.

Gallery space filled with graffiti art with three visitors — *COMPLEXITY* at ARTS at King Street Station. Photo by Nadia Ahmed

About APEX and AMGRAF

APEX Art & Culture Center is a cultural oasis nestled within the heart of historic downtown Everett.

The AMGRAF museum is their 501(c)(3) non-profit museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of the artists who risked life, limb and freedom to find their voices and be seen and heard. It features The DogTown Collection, the world’s largest collection of graffiti and urban art on canvas.

What to Expect

COMPLEXITY contains 2D and 3D works featuring graffiti writing, stickers, portraits, and fictional characters engaged in skateboarding, huffing paint, and listening to music.