Richard Hambleton

Canadian Artist

NYC

Richard Hambleton, New York City, 2009, Photo by Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Richard Hambleton, often referred to as the “godfather of street art,” pioneered New York’s downtown art scene alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. He is best known for his menacing “Shadowmen” and “Horse and Rider” figures— grisly black silhouettes that appear to have been painted mid-explosion. He tagged across the U.S. and Canada before settling in New York in 1979.

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Conscious Darkness: Richard Hambleton (Part 1)
He didn’t sign his name. He left a trail of inspired silhouettes in his footsteps for a signature and indeed we called him “Shadow Man”
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Conscious Darkness: Richard Hambleton (Part 2)
Warhol died. Basquiat died. Haring died. Hambleton fell from the ivory tower. The party was over.
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Conscious Darkness: Richard Hambleton (Part 3)
The ravages of good times were catching up with Richard.
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