SEEN

Richard "Richie" Mirando (Bronx NYC, 1961), better known as SEEN and “The Godfather of Graffiti,” is a living legend in the graffiti and art world. Long before graffiti became a mainstream movement, SEEN was active in the streets and underground subways of New York City in the 1970s. At just 12 years old, in 1973, he began working on the subway trains in the city. As his body of work expanded, so did his insights and techniques. With his crew, United Artists (UA), SEEN pioneered the full painting of cars and other objects. Thanks to his distinctive, energetic, and colorful lettering style, as well as his unparalleled interpretations of mainstream cartoon characters like Wonder Woman, the Hulk, and the Smurfs, SEEN’s star and reputation rose to mythical heights. In the early 1980s, SEEN began exhibiting his work in galleries across America, shortly followed by exhibitions around the world. His work was often mentioned alongside that of Keith Haring, Warhol, Basquiat, Dondi, and Quik. During this tumultuous period, SEEN also opened his tattoo studio, “Tattoo Seen,” which quickly became one of the most successful tattoo studios in New York. His work was prominently featured in numerous leading publications and books, including *Subway Art* by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant and *American Graffiti* by Margo Thompson. Additionally, SEEN’s oeuvre was extensively covered in the documentary *Style Wars* (1983), which chronicled the rise of subway graffiti in New York during the late 1970s and early 1980s. SEEN earned his nickname “Godfather of Graffiti” due to his impressive track record of over 40 years at the absolute forefront of graffiti artists. His work is represented in museums worldwide and in some of the most prestigious private collections. To this day, his art continues to have a significant impact on creatives and fans around the globe.