Pochette bag, Steven Sprouse for Louis Vuitton, 2001. Painted leather. Phoenix Art Museum Collection. Gift of Mrs. Kelly Ellman.

PHOENIX, AZ.-From its origins as an illegal street activity to its acceptance among art galleries and museums, graffiti has developed as an original visual language. It has an ancient history. From the political slogans, obscenities and lovelorn messages on the walls of ancient Pompeii to the Nazi propaganda writings of WWII and its use as a way to voice opinions during the student revolts of the 1960s and 1970s, graffiti has long served an important role in public expression. Phoenix Art Museum explores the art form’s origins and its evolution in fashion and graphics in its fashion design exhibition Graffiti Art and Fashion, on view September 22, 2007 – February 24, 2008. Lire la suite http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=21750

Dress, Stephen Sprouse, 2000. Cotton knit printed with Andy Warhol image of Jean Michel Basquiat. Lent by Mr. Todd Allen Bundy.