Chris “Daze” Ellis

New York / USA

New York City is the cradle of graffiti-art and Chris Ellis or better known as Daze, is one of its originators. He started turning aerosol cans into objects of artistic expressions as early as the 1970s and has stayed true to the art form to today. Being one of the first artists to make a successful transition from the streets to the studio, his works are featured as a part of the opening of URBAN NATION Museum in 2017. […]

Biography / Chris “Daze” Ellis

New York City is the cradle of graffiti-art and Chris Ellis or better known as Daze, is one of its originators. He started turning aerosol cans into objects of artistic expressions as early as the 1970s and has stayed true to the art form to today. Being one of the first artists to make a successful transition from the streets to the studio, his works were featured as a part of the opening of URBAN NATION Museum in 2017. Daze takes part in the exhibition “Love Letters to the City”, 2024-2027.

Daze started graffiti-writing while attending the High School of Art & Design and took to the galleries as early as 1981 at the mythical Mudd club, to be exact. He was part of the ‘Beyond Words’ group exhibition together with, amongst others, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and the mysterious Rammellzee. His first solo show came one year later at Fashion Moda, a Bronx gallery. Since then, his art has travelled throughout the world in countless galleries and exhibitions. Though, Daze has not forgotten where his art originated and through the years, he has also completed many public art projects worldwide.

Portrait: Michael Transue

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