Before it hits the wall, graffiti is often planned out in a black book—a common artist’s sketchbook sometimes called a “piece book”—“piece” being short for “masterpiece.” Well-worn and dog-eared, these books are used to develop and trade ideas with other graffiti writers, and are often passed from artist to artist, becoming unique records of creative expression. Piecebook: The Secret Drawings of Graffiti Writers chronicles the evolution of graffiti via images that weren’t intended for everyday people to see, focusing on the works of New York City writers active from 1970s until the mid-1980s. It brings together hundreds of drawings, most never before published, reproduced on uncoated paper to resemble the pages of an authentic graffiti writer’s black book. Bold works from graffiti history’s most important sources or “seeds”—Zephyr, Dondi, Daze, CRASH, Lady Pink, T-Kid, CAP, and Ghost, among others—represent a dizzying array of techniques and styles. Fans of graffiti will find this an irresistible inside look at how their favorite artists perfected their talents.

This Sunday, authors Sacha Jenkins (of Ego Trip fame) and David Villorente (the Source) will be at Fifty24SF Gallery from 5pm to 8pm, discussing their newest project, Piecebook: The Secret Drawings of Graffiti Writers. Come and hear the background of the book from the authors themselves!

About the Authors:
Sacha Jenkins co-founded the seminal hip-hop magazine ego trip and parlayed the brand into numerous books and television shows. He is currently editorial director of Mass Appeal—an urban lifestyle magazine rooted in the culture of graffiti.

David Villorente was the editor of Source magazine’s graffiti pages, writing under the byline of his graffiti tag “Chino.” He lectures widely on the art of graffiti.

SOURCE: Upperplayground