Lee Quiñones, a prominent figure in the world of graffiti and street art, hails from New York City, with Puerto Rican roots. Born in 1960 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Quiñones grew up amid the turmoil and rapid transformation of the city. The turbulent atmosphere of the time, marked by economic recession, gang violence, and urban decay, heavily influenced Quiñones and his peers, who sought to express themselves through the vibrant and rebellious medium of graffiti art. Quiñones started his artistic journey at the young age of 14, tagging his name "LEE" onto walls and subway cars as a way to escape the harsh realities of his daily life. He quickly rose to prominence in the mid-1970s, thanks to his distinctive style and ambitious large-scale pieces. His art went beyond simple tags and bubble letters, incorporating elaborate and intricate designs that showcased his exceptional talent and creativity. Lee's innovative approach to graffiti earned him the nickname "Master Artist," as he was one of the first graffiti writers to bring the art form from the streets to the galleries. One of the most significant moments in Quiñones' career was his pioneering work on New York City's subway cars. Between 1976 and 1989, he painted over 100 subway cars with unique and vivid murals that caught the attention of the city's residents and authorities alike. These works are now considered seminal pieces of the era, encapsulating the spirit and energy of the graffiti movement in New York. Quiñones' subway murals also helped to elevate the perception of graffiti as an art form, pushing it towards mainstream recognition. Aside from his work on subway cars, Lee Quiñones also played an important role in the early days of the street art movement. In 1979, he painted the iconic "Howard the Duck" handball court mural in Manhattan's Lower East Side. This groundbreaking piece was one of the first instances of graffiti being consciously created as a public work of art, rather than a clandestine act of rebellion. The mural showcased Lee's penchant for storytelling and social commentary, and it became a symbol of the evolving role of graffiti in the urban landscape. Throughout his career, Quiñones has been involved in numerous collaborations and exhibitions, both domestically and internationally. He was a founding member of the influential graffiti collective, the Fabulous 5, which played a crucial role in the development of the New York City graffiti scene. Additionally, Quiñones gained further recognition for his appearance in the 1982 cult classic film "Wild Style," directed by Charlie Ahearn, which documented the early days of hip-hop and graffiti culture in the city. Over the years, Lee Quiñones has continued to evolve as an artist, transitioning from spray paint to canvas and experimenting with various artistic styles and mediums. His work has been showcased in prestigious institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of the City of New York, and the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands. Quiñones has also been an advocate for arts education, working with various organizations to mentor and nurture the next generation of artists. As one of the pioneers of the graffiti and street art movements, Lee Quiñones has left an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art. His contributions have not only helped to redefine the role of graffiti within the urban landscape, but also to legitimize the art form in the eyes of the broader public. Through his talent, perseverance, and dedication, Quiñones has secured his place as a key figure in the history of graffiti and as an inspiration to countless artists who have followed in his footsteps.