World-renowned graffiti artists Lee Quiñones, Futura 2000, Guy Gonzales and Ewok are among those contributing works for a silent art auction benefiting the legal defense fund for noted graffiti art activist and painter Alan Ket.
The fundraiser, called The Walls Belong to Us, will be hosted by the Hip Hop Theater Festival and take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 1) at the Powerhouse Arena in Dumbo.
More than 120 pieces of global graffiti, urban art and photography will be featured.
Proceeds from the event will go towards a legal defense fund for Ket, who was accused and arrested for alleged graffiti crimes stemming from an October 2006 search of his home and office.
The auction and benefit will include works from various graffiti artists including Quiñones, Lady Pink, Jamel Shabazz, Ghost, Grotesk, Delta, Guy Gonzales, Iz the Wiz, Jose Parla, Henry Chalfant, Revs, Zephyr, Shepard Fairey, Ewok, Joe Conzo, Daze and Brett Cook Dizney.
Authorities arrested Ket in March after a five-month investigation. Ket, who has no prior criminal record, is charged with more than a dozen graffiti-related felony charges.
If convicted could place him in prison for over ten years.
Select pieces from the auction will be be available for bidding at Wednesday’s fundraiser.
A fixture in the graffiti art community, Ket is known for his consistent documentation of the New York graffiti art movement since 1986.
In addition, He has become an outspoken advocate on graffiti history, criminalization and issues concerning public art.
Over the years, Ket has made his mark in other areas.
He launched Stress magazine in 1995 and Complex magazine in 2001.
Ket currently publishes books that celebrate Hip-Hop, street movements and graffiti history as publisher of From Here to Fame Books.
A preview of the Ket exhibition was held July 25 and is slated to run until the actual auction close date on Saturday (Aug. 4).
Admission to the auction is $30. Pre-registration online via credit card is encouraged.
Admission at the door is cash only and will be on a space-available basis.
To pre-register via www.supportket.org. To bid on or view pieces featured in the auction, visit www.supportket.org.
