Daze and Ahearn on Martin Wong’s legacy and the 80s Downtown Art Scene

Join us for an in-depth conversation with legendary artists Chris “Daze” Ellis and acclaimed filmmaker Charlie Ahearn as they discuss the legacy of Martin Wong and his graffiti collection housed at the Museum of the City of New York. They will also reflect on the vibrant downtown arts scene of 1980s New York, a cultural firmament that has proved to be an influential era of artistic creativity.   

The event will also serve as the American book launch of Daze’s his latest publication, People and Places (Published by Sevil Dolmaci Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey). The book showcases works inspired by everyday scenes and individuals he encountered during his daily commutes across New York City, brought to life through pastel, acrylic, and spray paint compositions.  

Presented in conjunction with Above Ground: Art from the Martin Wong Graffiti Collection, don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the pioneers of the graffiti movement as he reflects on memory, community, and the evolving landscape of New York City. 

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at our Museum shop for signing during the event. Pre-order your copy Here! 

About the Artist:
Chris “Daze” Ellis (b. 1962, New York City) began painting NYC subway cars in 1976 while attending the High School of Art and Design. He is one of the few artists of his generation to successfully transition from street to studio. His first group show was Beyond Words at the Mudd Club (1981), followed by a solo debut at Fashion Moda in the South Bronx. In 1982, the Sammlung Ludwig in Aachen, Germany acquired the first of several works for their permanent collection.

Daze has held solo exhibitions in Paris, Monte Carlo, Singapore, Beijing, Florence, Buenos Aires, and New York. Notable solo shows include Sidney Janis Gallery (1984), Musée d’Art Moderne de Nice (1999), Palais Liechtenstein, Austria (1999), Galleria del Palazzo, Florence (1998), Fortune Cookie Projects, Singapore (2010), Addison Gallery of American Art (2014), Museum of the City of New York, and PPOW Gallery (2018).

He has completed public art projects worldwide, including murals at the Star Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong (1993), a full train station design in Hannover, Germany (1995), and Creative Time’s Dreamland Social Club (2004). He served as art consultant on Baz Luhrmann’s The Get Down (2017) and created a commissioned mural for Cleary Gottlieb in Washington, D.C. (2018).

Since 1994, Daze has worked with youth in cities including New York, Seoul, Baton Rouge, Rio de Janeiro, Palaia, Port-au-Prince, and Andover. He is an active contributor to Leap Arts and Thrive Collective in NYC.

His work is held in private collections (Eric Clapton, Natalie Imbruglia, Madonna) and major institutions including the Whitney Museum, MoMA, Museum of the City of New York, Ludwig Museum, Yale University Art Gallery, and the Addison Gallery of American Art. Daze continues to live and work in New York City.

Charlie Ahearn was born in Binghamton New York 1951 and he lives in New York City since 1973. Ahearn attended The Whitney Museum of American Art Studio Program 1973. Ahearn took part in The Times Square Show in 1980 and began making a hip hop movie with Fred Brathwaite and the hip hop community. The feature film Wild Style was released in 1983 internationally.  

He directed a series of artist portraits such as Jane Dickson, Martin Wong and John Ahearn (twin brother), as well as a feature portrait  Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer in 2012. In 2015 Ahearn showed a video Dirt Style and related paintings at PPOW gallery. 

 Ahearn exhibited paintings in Beyond the Street exhibitions such as in New York, LA and London. In 2023 he helped organize the Wild Style 40 exhibition at the Jeffrey Deitch gallery. 

Event Logistics (subject to changed based on NYC regulations):

• Please contact programs@mcny.org with any questions or ticketing issues.
• All sales are final; refunds not permitted. Exchanges and credit for future programs only. Programs and dates may be subject to change. The Museum of the City of New York reserves the right to refuse admission to latecomers.