George “Crime79” Ibañez (b. New York, New York December 31, 1964) is a famous New York City-based graffiti artist. He began painting subways at age 13 in the East New York section of Brooklyn. While continuing with his subway art, Ibañez was named Class Artist and received the Art Students League of New York Gold Medal. He then studied at the School of Visual Arts.
From 1977 to 1984, Crime79 painted numerous notable subway cars. A whole train with a memorable painted poem appears as the opening page to the “Graffiti Bible”,[1] Subway Art[2] by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant.
Crime79 was a member of a group called “Soul Artists” which were among the first to transition graffiti art from subways to legitimate galleries. Crime79’s first show of paintings was at the Rainbow Gallery in
New York City’s SoHo District in 1983. His works were regarded as, “simply the best pieces in the show” (ArtSpeak Magazine, Volume V, June 1983). In 2009 two of his paintings were sold at the prestigious Millon & Associés Auction House in Paris, France.[3][4]
From 1977 to 1984, Crime79 painted numerous notable subway cars. A whole train with a memorable painted poem appears as the opening page to the “Graffiti Bible”,[1] Subway Art[2] by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant.
Crime79 was a member of a group called “Soul Artists” which were among the first to transition graffiti art from subways to legitimate galleries. Crime79’s first show of paintings was at the Rainbow Gallery in
New York City’s SoHo District in 1983. His works were regarded as, “simply the best pieces in the show” (ArtSpeak Magazine, Volume V, June 1983). In 2009 two of his paintings were sold at the prestigious Millon & Associés Auction House in Paris, France.[3][4]