DAZE, real name Chris Ellis, is an American graffiti artist born in 1962. He began his artistic career in the mid-1970s as a student at the High School of Art & Design in New York City, painting graffiti on New York City subway trains. DAZE is one of the few graffiti artists to successfully transition from the streets to galleries. His first major group show was Beyond Words at the Mudd Club in 1981, where he exhibited alongside such notable artists as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Soon after, he had his first solo show at Fashion Moda in the Bronx, NY. Over time, DAZE's work has been exhibited in important venues such as the Sidney Janis Gallery (1983), the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (1984) and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His work is also included in major collections such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Groninger Museum. In addition to exhibitions in galleries, DAZE has realized many public art projects. These include...
DAZE, real name Chris Ellis, is an American graffiti artist born in 1962. He began his artistic career in the mid-1970s as a student at the High School of Art & Design in New York City, painting graffiti on New York City subway trains. DAZE is one of the few graffiti artists who have successfully transitioned from the streets to galleries. His first important group exhibition was organized at the Mudd Club in 1981. Beyond Words exhibition, where he was featured alongside important artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Soon after, she had her first solo exhibition at Fashion Moda in the Bronx, NY.
Over time, DAZE's works have been exhibited in important venues such as the Sidney Janis Gallery (1983), the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (1984) and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His works are also included in major collections such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Groninger Museum.
In addition to exhibitions in galleries, DAZE has realized many public art projects. These include a mural for the Star Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong in 1993, a mural for the Dreamland Social Club in New York City in 2004, and a mural for the law firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in Washington DC in 2018. Also, the Netflix series The Get Down DAZE has also served as an art consultant. DAZE continues to live and work in New York and continues to influence both the graffiti and contemporary art worlds.
