Public Art of Richard Hambleton

Richard Hambleton is a surviving member of a group of artists who had great success during the art boom of New York City in the 1980's. Richards work is often compared to graffiti art but he has always considered it "public art." His most famous work's, "Shadowman" paintings of the early 80's in New York. Theses paintings were splashed with black paint on buildings and other structures throughout the city. It later extended to other cities such as Paris, London, Rome and even the Berlin Wall.

Other public art's included his Image Mass Murder concept from '76-'79 in which he would paint police "chalk" outlines of volunteer "homicide victims." Giving it splashes of red paint and making them look like realistic crime scenes. This project stretched in several major cities from US to Canada. Giving viewers and passerby's a startling or shocked effect.

Earlier this year the work's of Richard Hambleton were displayed in a exhibit celebrating his 40 year career. Thirty five pieces of spanning from early 80's to present were exhibited. Photographic images from Hank O'Neal, who had taken many photos of the of "Shadowman" works in 1982.

Richard Hambleton has had many exhibitions, both solo and group, his work can be found in the permanent collections of the MoMA, Brooklyn Museum and the Houston Museum of Fine Art.