Martin Wong's Graffiti Collection Exhibition at Museum of the City of New York

The Museum of the City of New York unveiled "Above Ground: Graffiti Art from the Martin Wong Collection," marking the 30th anniversary of Wong's donation in 1994. Arriving in New York in 1978, Martin Wong, a queer Asian American painter, engaged deeply with the artistic community of the Lower East Side. He formed strong bonds with primarily Black and Latino graffiti artists, earning the nickname "Chino Malo" from his Nuyorican friends. While employed at Pearl Paint art supply store, Wong provided discounts to graffiti writers, becoming a passionate collector and supporter. The exhibition highlighted how these artists, often overlooked by the mainstream art scene, fostered a vital segment of American art history, showcasing Wong's dedication and the intimacy of their shared experiences.