OFF THE TRACK
“Off The Track” is an online exhibition and auction examining our early hip hop roots and one of the early canvases of modern graffiti: the subway car. At the height of the COVID quarantine, Words Beats & Life wanted to innovate a project working with our talent pool of gifted graffiti and street artists. We invited over a dozen public art talents and commissioned them to tap their imagination and create customized model NYC subway cars. Working with our creators, we made videos, conducted one-on-one interviews and even held a socially-distanced paint jam.
Now, the coolest fundraising auction EVER is ready to be revealed! Join our auction, help support WBL and take home a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. You're not just helping a worthy cause, you're taking home a piece of hip hop history.
Each of our amazing artists have taken it to the roots of hip hop culture and painted their vision on a half model of a NYC subway car. These replicas can be hung or stood on their own, and be matched with another model half to create a complete scale version. These customized train reproductions are 20” long and 5” tall and look great hanging on a wall, or standing on a bookshelf or windowsill.
ULTRA
DC’s longest-running active graffiti writer, ULTRA, brings a long history to his gallery work and his public art. A teacher for WBL and an organizer of graffiti and public art events, Asad works hard to teach the interested public about graffiti culture. More at: https://www.asadULTRAwalker.com/
MAS PAZ
Born in Columbia and living in Washington, DC, Mas Paz straddles the lines between graffiti writer, street artist and muralist. His peaceful, sagacious demeanor is perfectly represented in his chosen street name. His visual style calls up influences of the long history of latinx and indigenous style meeting up with graffiti art of the last 50 years. More at: https://www.maspaz.co/
CROW
A native of San Diego, ISAIAS is an innovative artist of many mediums, his art brimming with colorful geometry. He travels with his creative family, building a reputation as a teacher and international muralist. More at: https://www.instagram.com/isaiascrow/
ROCKIN BONES
Rockin Bones started writing graffiti as a kid growing up in Philly mimicking what he saw along the highways. He became more serious writing graffiti after moving to NYC in the early 90s. After moving to DC he began transitioning into a more street art style, now incorporating stencils and wheat pastes into his repertoire.
M2
A mother and an artist, Marthalicia creates innovative public art in NYC. She is known and loved for incorporating youth and wild animals into her work, both her murals and the small pieces she leaves for new fans to find and pick up around the city. More at: https://www.instagram.com/marthalicia/
REI 21
First appearing in the mid-90's in the DC area, REI quickly gained notice for his quiet demeanor and bold non-conformist approach. Whether on trains, in the streets, or quiet out-of-the-way spots, he refused to quit evolving in technique or style. REI21 inspires a new generation of graffiti artists with no gimmicks or hype, just unarguable aerosol mastery. More at: https://www.instagram.com/junctionxxi/
MAX
Formerly of the DC area and currently residing in NYC, Max Gibbons combines modern graffiti tagging with more classic calligraphy techniques. Creating canvases and public art, Max continues to perfect this clash of new/old graphic style. More at: https://www.instagram.com/maxgibbonslettering/
SKRIB
Born in DC, Brain Williams follows his inspirations of comics, manga and animation through graffiti culture and back again. SKRIB works in many media, including aerosol, canvas and illustration. More at: https://briankwilliams.wixsite.com/the-skrib
NEA
From the streets of NYC to her ancestral home in Georgia, Jenevieve is an interdisciplinary artist and teacher inspired by indigenous symbolism, mythology, nature and the cosmos. Her mixed media paintings contrast spray paints and oils, screen prints and brushstrokes, and graffiti and flowers. More at: https://www.instagram.com/jenevieve713/
Faimeous
Formerly a WBL student, FAME has built a portfolio of murals and street-inspired art that is well-known in the DC area. Using graffiti as the springboard for his creative process, he continues to create public art that resonates as authentic in the public eye. More at: https://www.instagram.com/dcsofaimeous/
DECOY
Decoy grew up a military brat in Germany before returning to the states and eventually settling in Washington, DC. Her quirky street art messages of faith, kindness and humor appear in the urban locales that need them most. When not making art, she is a teacher and mentor to at-risk youth throughout the city. More at: https://www.instagram.com/decoydc/
Jah One
Creating both innovative stylish graffiti pieces and unmatched technical work, JAH stands out as a professional artist amongst his peers. More at: https://www.instagram.com/thejahone/
BENT
“Bent is a graffiti artist, originally from New York, and has been painting for over 20 years.”
MIZTA
DC graffiti artist, MIZTA, continues to shock with his aerosol skills. Drawing inspiration from freight trains passing through our area from around the country and the rare painted Metro train, he has built his own reputation with in graffiti culture. A single father, MIZTA works hard to innovate in many genres of art. More at: https://www.instagram.com/miztarious/
