DONDI (1961-1998)
On occasion, Christie's has a direct financial int… Read more LOISAIDA: 1980’S GRAFFITI AND STREET ART FROM THE JOHN P. AXELROD COLLECTION
DONDI (1961-1998)

Hammers in Hell

Details
DONDI (1961-1998)
Hammers in Hell
signed, titled and dated 'Dondi White 1984 © HAMMERS IN HELL.' (on the reverse)
spray enamel on canvas
68 x 97 5/8 in. (172.7 x 248 cm.)
Executed in 1984.
Provenance
Joan Wiltemath, New York, acquired directly from the artist
Eric Firestone Gallery, New York
Web Gallery NYC, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Literature
"Down By Law: Street Art's S**t-Kicking Pioneers," GQ, online (illustrated).
Exhibited
East Hampton, Eric Firestone Gallery, DOWN BY LAW: New York's Underground Art Explosion, 1970s-1980s, August-September 2010.
Special notice
On occasion, Christie's has a direct financial interest in the outcome of the sale of certain lots consigned for sale. This will usually be where it has guaranteed to the Seller that whatever the outcome of the auction, the Seller will receive a minimum sale price for the work. This is known as a minimum price guarantee. Where Christie's has provided a Minimum Price Guarantee it is at risk of making a loss, which can be significant, if the lot fails to sell. Christie's therefore sometimes chooses to share that risk with a third party. In such cases the third party agrees prior to the auction to place an irrevocable written bid on the lot. The third party is therefore committed to bidding on the lot and, even if there are no other bids, buying the lot at the level of the written bid unless there are any higher bids. In doing so, the third party takes on all or part of the risk of the lot not being sold. If the lot is not sold, the third party may incur a loss. The third party will be remunerated in exchange for accepting this risk based on a fixed fee if the third party is the successful bidder or on the final hammer price in the event that the third party is not the successful bidder. The third party may also bid for the lot above the written bid. Third party guarantors are required by us to disclose to anyone they are advising their financial interest in any lots they are guaranteeing. However, for the avoidance of any doubt, if you are advised by or bidding through an agent on a lot identified as being subject to a third party guarantee you should always ask your agent to confirm whether or not he or she has a financial interest in relation to the lot.

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Lot Essay

Brooklyn born artist DONDI emerged as a leader among graffiti artists in the 1970s and continues to inspire his peers and a younger generation of artists even after his death. Using many tags in the early days of his career including “NACO” and “DONDI,” the artist ultimately settled on the latter, derived from a childhood nickname. Choosing an alias so closely related to his own name, Donald Joseph White, was quite risky at the time as the New York Police Department and Metropolitan Transportation Authority were working to stop graffiti art. Like other street artists in the 1970s, DONDI’s first works were painted on trains and subway walls. Though most of his work was created solo, he was a part of various artist’s collectives, initially joining TOP, The Odd Partners, in 1977. In 1978 he formed CIA, Crazy Inside Artists, with contemporaries CRASH, Doc, Rasta, and Duro. They also worked alongside Soul Artist which was founded by ALI in 1980. The support of this community and the collaborations born out of it challenged the artist and ultimately pushed his work to even greater heights. This evolution eventually lead to the artist’s explorations on canvas. Transforming a large bedroom in his childhood home into a graffiti studio, DONDI became a gallery artist as well. His paintings were bold, bright, legible and recognizable so that his message might be shared with all. The work was often political, addressing state and global policies, in the hopes that he may make some impact. The title DONDI became synonymous with his influential style of writing.

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