Written by Lucy Coker
Born on the upper west side of Manhattan, Doze Green is one of the pioneers of hip-hop movement in the 70s and 80s. Often compared to celebrated artists such as Basquiat, his urban background and involvement in the Rock Steady Crew, facilitated his unique style which allowed him to transition from graffiti art to the gallery. His works have been published in BlackBook, Anthem, Juxtapoz, Tokion, and Vibe and reviewed on CNN.
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| Fusion artist and original Rock Steady Crew member Doze Green |
The Rock Steady Crew
From a young age, Doze Green was a member
of The Rock Steady Crew, the creators of a new style of dance known as
breakdancing or B-Boying. The crew first started dancing at art exhibitions and
galleries of Soho and the Lower East Side of Manhattan. During this time Doze
Green was also attending the High School of Art and Design, where many talented
graffiti artists studied.
Green began tagging the hallways of South Bronx projects to working as a graphic designer designing clothing line such as Kikwear and Ecko. However, he soon found himself unfulfilled and ventured back towards his street art roots. Gradually, he received more attention and Green started painting in a studio in Brooklyn. In 1982, he showed his artwork in a group show at the Fun Gallery. At this same time after appearances in major movies such as Flashdance, Style Wars, and Wildstyle, the Rock Steady Crew was launched into action and the limelight.
Green began tagging the hallways of South Bronx projects to working as a graphic designer designing clothing line such as Kikwear and Ecko. However, he soon found himself unfulfilled and ventured back towards his street art roots. Gradually, he received more attention and Green started painting in a studio in Brooklyn. In 1982, he showed his artwork in a group show at the Fun Gallery. At this same time after appearances in major movies such as Flashdance, Style Wars, and Wildstyle, the Rock Steady Crew was launched into action and the limelight.
Energy and Matter
Today, Green has become a leader of the "fusionistic"art movement. This style developed form his roots in graffiti art and is based
upon metaphysical and ethereal ideologies. His paintings strive to materialize complex
metaphysical concepts, such as the possible “manipulation of energy and matter
to create a timeless space. He explores meditations on matter and
anti-matter, layers of consciousness, and different possibilities based on
cosmology.” Through stream-of-consciousness painting, Doze creates “fractured
imagery that implies an ever-changing narrative.” His stereotypical multi-dimensional
planes and illusion of time are presented through fragmented, incomplete
figures.
There is a strong sense of cubist
influences in his work. The compositions are constructed through “ascending and
descending planes and repetitive, overlapping, and concentric lines in an
otherwise undefined landscape.” Another key influence has been Edo period paintings.
Doze Green mixes black gesso with Sumi ink and applies “creatively chaotic, and
intuitive brushstrokes,” in an interesting fusion of calligraphy-inspired art
and street art techniques. Green’s signature aesthetic results in an advanced
approach to organic cubism.
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| A section of the Las Vegas mural "Crossroads of Humanity" by Doze Green |
Aside from his gallery exhibitions, Green has stayed true to his street art roots and has worked on a number of murals all over the world. Namely, two large-scale public murals which commissioned by "City Center" in Las Vegas, titled “Crossroads of Humanity.” The set of murals cover several walls each measuring 80 feet wide by 20 feet high.
Many artists at Thumbprint Gallery share Doze Green "fusionistic" style combining graffiti and street art techniques with other mediums, creating distinct contemporary styles. Works by Thumbprint Gallery artists can by viewed and purchased at our online store here.
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