George Ibanez
Introduction '''George “Crime79” Ibañez''' (b. New York, New York December 31, 1964) is a famous New York City-based graffiti artist. His style is rooted in popular culture and often with political messages.George Ibañez began painting subways at age 13 in the East New York section of Brooklyn. While continuing with his subway art, Ibañez was named Class Artist and received the Art Students League of New York Gold Medal. He then studied at the School of Visual Arts.From 1977 to 1984, Crime79 painted numerous notable subway cars. A whole train with a memorable painted poem appears as the opening page to the “Graffiti Bible”, ''Subway Art''  by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant.Crime79 was a member of a group called “Soul Artists” which were among the first to transition graffiti art from subways to legitimate galleries. Crime79’s first show of paintings was at the Rainbow Gallery in New York City’s SoHo District in 1983.His works were regarded as, “simply the best pieces in the show” (ArtSpeak Magazine, Volume V, June 1983). In 2009 two of his paintings were sold at the prestigious Millon & Associés Auction House in Paris, France.In addition to paintings, Crime79 practices his art on intriguing projects in a variety of mediums, including:* Designed the album cover for DJ Tony Touch entitled “Crime79” (2004)* Commissioned by recording artist LL Cool J to create a mural backdrop for the video “Hush”  (2004)* In 2006 Crime79 was chosen to design a wrapper for a limited edition of his own chocolate bar, “Caramel Crime”  which today is sold in exclusive chocolate stores and art museums including MoMA, Philadelphia Museum of Art and chocolatebarnyc.com. * Recently commissioned to paint a canvas for Rev Run’s (of Run-D.M.C.) son Diggy Simmons for his MTV reality show, “Run’s House.”Crime79’s works are documented in documentaries, music videos, video games (“The Warriors”) and international publications worldwide including The Source Magazine, Mugshot Magazine, ARTnews, Elemental Magazine, Print, Warp Magazine, New York Daily News, Stress Magazine, The Village Voice, BET Television, Alarm Magazine, Piece Book and many others.In December 2022 , George Ibanez wrote a book on his creative life called " My Creative Journey ". published by Ashford Street Press.
References Graffiti Bible ''Subway Art'' ArtNet.com Listing AskArt.com Listing Hush Video Caramel Crime Bar
External links Artists’ Website Subway Outlaws Interview Artnet Artists Directory AskART, The Artists’ Bluebook Chocolate Bar NYC LL Cool J “Hush” Video Diggy Simmons “Life of the Jet Setter” Book signing. https://www.howlarts.org/event/book-signing-george-crime79-ibanez-my-creative-journey/* *