From the Platform: Subway Graffiti, 1983-1989 Hardcover – 20 Jun. 2011

Far grittier than 'Subway Art', this book presents a fantastic collection of images taken by the graffiti writers themselves as opposed to pro photographers. Along with dozens of stories recounted by the actual artists of the time, this book really transports you back in time to the New York subway of the 70's and 80's...to the point where you can almost smell the damp and dust of their subterranean 'gallery'. I was a UK graffiti artist in my teens through the 80's, and this book has taken me back to an exciting time in my life of tagging, liberating spray paint from auto stores, trying to create the most complex wild-style pieces (to the point where they were completely unintelligible to anyone except other writers), creeping out of the house at stupid o'clock in the morning to go 'bombing', and being chased by the cops on more than a few occasions!! Although it was my burning ambition at the time I never got to go to New York back in the day to see the art on the subway trains in the mid 80's, and without a book like this it's a view of the city that is forever lost.My glasses aren't so rose tinted as to not be aware that much 'graffiti' was a eyesore on the NY transit system, but nonetheless I believe that it was an important part of the cities heritage. Forget the sanitised modern-day pseudo-graffiti artists like 'Banksy', this is the story of the real writers by the real writers...and it's wonderful. If you have any sort of interest in graffiti, or indeed New York social history, then this book is an absolute 'must have'.

You know the story pre & post NYC graff by now.Drop the mic & take every piece in.Enjoy.

Brilliant book,full of classic pieces,compiled by a legend.

great book, person who received it was very pleased with it. thank you will deferentially buy more of same

Must have book.

Incredible book highly recommend a must have

An essential to anyones graffiti book collection

This book picks up from the point, where the 1982 classic, Subway Art (Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant) leaves off, and documents all the way up to the end of the era of graffiti on New York subway trains, some great (unseen photo's) of a classic period in graffiti history, that is a must for any graffiti art purist, or for anyone wishing to understand where graffiti's roots eminate from, lovers of Street art/stencil art (i.e Ba**sy) should steer well clear !