DONDI WHITE
Donald J. White – Américain
1961 – 1998
Dondi White, alias « Dondi », incarne la quintessence du graffiti new-yorkais des années 70-80, un art en ébullition au cœur de la ville qui ne dort jamais. Né Donald J. White le 7 avril 1961 dans le quartier vibrant de Brooklyn, ce jeune talent d’origine afro-américaine et italienne se distingue rapidement par son style novateur et audacieux. Dernier-né d’une famille de cinq enfants, il passe son enfance à dessiner dans ses black books, des carnets où chaque esquisse est un manifeste de précision et de créativité.
À l’adolescence, Dondi fait ses premières armes dans les rues de New York, signant ses œuvres sous divers alias (BUS 129, MR WHITE, PRE, POSE, ROLL, 2 MANY, ASIA), avant de se fixer sur le pseudonyme de « Dondi » à la fin des années 70. Sa vision inédite et son style méticuleux font rapidement de lui une figure majeure du graffiti, un « roi » incontesté du style et de la composition. Son talent s’expose sans retenue sur les célèbres whole cars, les rames de métro entières, qu’il maîtrise avec brio, laissant une empreinte indélébile, notamment avec son emblématique Children of the Grave de 1980.
New York à cette époque est à la fois un terrain d’expérimentation et un champ de bataille pour les graffeurs ; tandis que les autorités serrent la vis et que l’accès aux trains se complique, Dondi réinvente son art. En 1980, il se tourne vers la toile, offrant une nouvelle dimension à son esthétique unique. Très vite, il est propulsé sur la scène artistique, participant dès 1981 à une exposition collective, avant que la Fun Gallery ne lui consacre une exposition personnelle en 1982.
Son art transcende les frontières, à la fois en tant qu’image dans le film Wild Style et à travers la tournée New York City Rap, qui le fait connaître au-delà de l’Atlantique. Des commandes affluent, et son travail est exposé dans des galeries et musées aux Pays-Bas et en Allemagne, consolidant sa réputation internationale.
Avec un style inimitable, que l’on surnomme bientôt le Dondism, Dondi devient une légende vivante de son époque, une figure emblématique pour la culture graffiti new-yorkaise et une icône de l’art contemporain.
« I never was a graffiti writer artist even when I was active in the subway yards. I was a subway painter. A subway writer now that I do work on canvas. The work consists of high tech letters with ghetto based images (they are not graffiti paintings). If you must tittle my work it can only up under one title Dondism which is the state of Dondi. The composer of Dondism ». Dondi White
« I never had to compromise myself. It was always me, doing what was comfortable, and relaying the message that I didn’t have to be taught to be creative and do good things. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m here and I want to be heard. I come from the streets, I painted on subways, and I feel that my work is important. I want people to see it – I want to influence others ». Dondi White
« I never had to compromise myself. It was always me, doing what was comfortable, and relaying the message that I didn’t have to be taught to be creative and do good things. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m here and I want to be heard. I come from the streets, I painted on subways, and I feel that my work is important. I want people to see it – I want to influence others ». Dondi White
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EDUCATION
– High school GED
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018
– Dondism, Retrospective, Ghost Galerie, Marseille, France, April 7th – May 10th (catalogue)
1999
– The Dondi White Memorial Exhibition, Exhibit 1A Gallery, New York, USA.
1992
– The Empire Show, Empire gallery, Soho, New York, USA.
1987
– Matter of Facts, 56 Bleecker Gallery, New York, USA, April 25th – May 23th.
1984
– Yaki Kornblit Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
1983
– Yaki Kornblit Gallery , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
– Fun Gallery, New York, USA.
– Gallery Art in Progress, Düsseldorf, Germany.
– 51X Gallery, New York, USA.
1982
– Fun Gallery, New York, USA.
– The Ugly Man, Six Gallery, New York, USA.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
– Street Level, Artnet Auctions, New York, NY, USA.
– New York Street Style : création des années 80 – Ghost Galerie, Paris, juillet – septembre.
– Accrochage saisonnier, Ghost Galerie, Paris, France, Janvier-Juin
2021
– Nos Fantômes – exposition inaugurale, Ghost galerie, Paris, France, 10 Septembre – 20 Novembre.
2013
– Graffiti Art, Museum Tongerlohuys, Roosendaal, Netherlands.
– Textures : The Written Word in Contemporary Art, ACA Galleries, New York City, USA, May 4th – June 15th.
2012
– Art & Toys – Collection Selim Varol, Me Collectors Room Berlin, Berlin, Germany, May 26th – October 14th.
– Graffiti – New York 80’s, Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont, Paris, May 27th – July 20th. (catalogue)
2010
– Graffiti NYC – Artists of the Third Rail, Benrimon Contemporary, New York, USA, July 25th – August 10th.
2008
– Graffiti Stories: l’Art Modeste sous les Bombes, Musée Paul Valéry en partenariat avec le Musée International des Arts Modestes, Sète, France, June 30th, 2007 – January 13th.
2007
– « Le Graffiti Historique », Musée Paul Valéry, Sète, France
2006
– No Sleep ‘till Brooklyn : A powerHouse Hip Hop Retrospective, The powerHouse Arena, Brooklyn, USA, September 5th – November 19th.
2005
– Frozen Fire, Museum Tongerlohuys, Roosendaal, Netherlands, April 17th – June 27th.
1993
– Celebrating 15 Years Above Ground, Retrospective, Space Time Light Gallery, New York, USA. (catalogue)
1992
– New York Graffiti Art : Coming from the Subway (Collection Speerstra), Groninger Museum, Groningen, Netherlands, October 4 – January 10. (catalogue)
– Industry, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
1991
– Graffiti Art : Artiste Americans et Français 1981/1991 (Collection Speerstra), Musée des monuments Français Paris. (catalogue)
1988
– Real Paint, Procter Art Center, New York, USA.
1987
– Remembrances, Sfax Gallery, New York, USA.
– 56 Bleecker Gallery, New York, USA.
– Nassauischer Kunstverein, Wiesbaden, Germany.
– Helmond Museum, Helmond, Netherlands.
– Heidelberger Kunstverein, Heidelberger, Germany.
1986
– Graffiti, Leopold-Hoesch Museum, Germany, March 9th – May 4th. (catalogue)
1985
– New York Graffiti, Gemeentemuseum Helmond, Netherlands, February 10th – April 14th. (catalogue)
– Gallozzi Laplaca Gallery, New York, USA.
– Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York, USA.
1984
– Artist T-Shirts, Ronald Feldman Fine Arts Inc, New York, USA.
– Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Bologne, Italie «Arte di Frontiera».
– Artists from New York in Monte-Carlo, official opening of the gallery, Gallery Willem Speerstra, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, April 5 – June 20.
– Graffiti, Groninger Museum. Groningen, Netherlands, January 14 – February 26 (catalogue)
– Zurich Art Fair, Zurich, Switzerland.
– Cologne 19th International Art Fair, Cologne, Germany, November 15 – 21.
– Classical American Graffiti Writers and High Graffiti Artists, Galerie Thomas, Munich, Germany, February 6 – April 5. (catalogue).
1983
– New York Graffiti, Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, October 22th – December 4th.
– 121 Art Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium.
– Gallery Piranesi, Zurich, Switzerland.
– Intoxication, Monique Knowlton Gallery, New York, USA.
– Seibu Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.
1982
– University of California, Santa Cruz, USA.
– Burners, Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery, Santa Cruz, USA.
– 51X Gallery, New York, USA.
– Nature Morte Gallery, New York, USA.
– New York City Rap Tour (with Rammellzee, Futura, PHASE2, DONDI), France: “Grande Nuit du Rap”, L’Hippodrome de Pantin; Palace. Paris, November 27, and other dates in Paris, Lyon, Metz, Belfort, Mulhouse, Strasbourg, London and Los Angeles.
– The Ugly Man, Six Gallery, New York, USA.
1981
– New York/New Wave’, PS 1, Queens, New York, USA.
– Beyond Words”, Mudd Club, New York, USA.
– The Kitchen, New York, USA.
– Club 57, New York, USA.
1980
– Esses Studio, founded by Dondi, New York, USA.
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
– Museum Boymans van Bueningen, Holland.
– Groninger Museum, Holland.
– Louisiana Museum, Denmark.
– Stedelijk Museum, Holland.
– Rijks museum, Holland.
– Stedeljik Museum, Holland.
– Helmond Museum, Germany.
– Leopold – Hoesch Museum, Germany.
– Heidelberg Kunstverein, Germany.
– Musée National des monuments Français, France.
– Groninger Museum, Holland.
– Roermond Museum, Holland.
– Museum der Stadt Ratingen, Germany.
– High school GED
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018
– Dondism, Retrospective, Ghost Galerie, Marseille, France, April 7th – May 10th (catalogue)
1999
– The Dondi White Memorial Exhibition, Exhibit 1A Gallery, New York, USA.
1992
– The Empire Show, Empire gallery, Soho, New York, USA.
1987
– Matter of Facts, 56 Bleecker Gallery, New York, USA, April 25th – May 23th.
1984
– Yaki Kornblit Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
1983
– Yaki Kornblit Gallery , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
– Fun Gallery, New York, USA.
– Gallery Art in Progress, Düsseldorf, Germany.
– 51X Gallery, New York, USA.
1982
– Fun Gallery, New York, USA.
– The Ugly Man, Six Gallery, New York, USA.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
– Street Level, Artnet Auctions, New York, NY, USA.
– New York Street Style : création des années 80 – Ghost Galerie, Paris, juillet – septembre.
– Accrochage saisonnier, Ghost Galerie, Paris, France, Janvier-Juin
2021
– Nos Fantômes – exposition inaugurale, Ghost galerie, Paris, France, 10 Septembre – 20 Novembre.
2013
– Graffiti Art, Museum Tongerlohuys, Roosendaal, Netherlands.
– Textures : The Written Word in Contemporary Art, ACA Galleries, New York City, USA, May 4th – June 15th.
2012
– Art & Toys – Collection Selim Varol, Me Collectors Room Berlin, Berlin, Germany, May 26th – October 14th.
– Graffiti – New York 80’s, Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont, Paris, May 27th – July 20th. (catalogue)
2010
– Graffiti NYC – Artists of the Third Rail, Benrimon Contemporary, New York, USA, July 25th – August 10th.
2008
– Graffiti Stories: l’Art Modeste sous les Bombes, Musée Paul Valéry en partenariat avec le Musée International des Arts Modestes, Sète, France, June 30th, 2007 – January 13th.
2007
– « Le Graffiti Historique », Musée Paul Valéry, Sète, France
2006
– No Sleep ‘till Brooklyn : A powerHouse Hip Hop Retrospective, The powerHouse Arena, Brooklyn, USA, September 5th – November 19th.
2005
– Frozen Fire, Museum Tongerlohuys, Roosendaal, Netherlands, April 17th – June 27th.
1993
– Celebrating 15 Years Above Ground, Retrospective, Space Time Light Gallery, New York, USA. (catalogue)
1992
– New York Graffiti Art : Coming from the Subway (Collection Speerstra), Groninger Museum, Groningen, Netherlands, October 4 – January 10. (catalogue)
– Industry, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
1991
– Graffiti Art : Artiste Americans et Français 1981/1991 (Collection Speerstra), Musée des monuments Français Paris. (catalogue)
1988
– Real Paint, Procter Art Center, New York, USA.
1987
– Remembrances, Sfax Gallery, New York, USA.
– 56 Bleecker Gallery, New York, USA.
– Nassauischer Kunstverein, Wiesbaden, Germany.
– Helmond Museum, Helmond, Netherlands.
– Heidelberger Kunstverein, Heidelberger, Germany.
1986
– Graffiti, Leopold-Hoesch Museum, Germany, March 9th – May 4th. (catalogue)
1985
– New York Graffiti, Gemeentemuseum Helmond, Netherlands, February 10th – April 14th. (catalogue)
– Gallozzi Laplaca Gallery, New York, USA.
– Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York, USA.
1984
– Artist T-Shirts, Ronald Feldman Fine Arts Inc, New York, USA.
– Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Bologne, Italie «Arte di Frontiera».
– Artists from New York in Monte-Carlo, official opening of the gallery, Gallery Willem Speerstra, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, April 5 – June 20.
– Graffiti, Groninger Museum. Groningen, Netherlands, January 14 – February 26 (catalogue)
– Zurich Art Fair, Zurich, Switzerland.
– Cologne 19th International Art Fair, Cologne, Germany, November 15 – 21.
– Classical American Graffiti Writers and High Graffiti Artists, Galerie Thomas, Munich, Germany, February 6 – April 5. (catalogue).
1983
– New York Graffiti, Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, October 22th – December 4th.
– 121 Art Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium.
– Gallery Piranesi, Zurich, Switzerland.
– Intoxication, Monique Knowlton Gallery, New York, USA.
– Seibu Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.
1982
– University of California, Santa Cruz, USA.
– Burners, Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery, Santa Cruz, USA.
– 51X Gallery, New York, USA.
– Nature Morte Gallery, New York, USA.
– New York City Rap Tour (with Rammellzee, Futura, PHASE2, DONDI), France: “Grande Nuit du Rap”, L’Hippodrome de Pantin; Palace. Paris, November 27, and other dates in Paris, Lyon, Metz, Belfort, Mulhouse, Strasbourg, London and Los Angeles.
– The Ugly Man, Six Gallery, New York, USA.
1981
– New York/New Wave’, PS 1, Queens, New York, USA.
– Beyond Words”, Mudd Club, New York, USA.
– The Kitchen, New York, USA.
– Club 57, New York, USA.
1980
– Esses Studio, founded by Dondi, New York, USA.
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
– Museum Boymans van Bueningen, Holland.
– Groninger Museum, Holland.
– Louisiana Museum, Denmark.
– Stedelijk Museum, Holland.
– Rijks museum, Holland.
– Stedeljik Museum, Holland.
– Helmond Museum, Germany.
– Leopold – Hoesch Museum, Germany.
– Heidelberg Kunstverein, Germany.
– Musée National des monuments Français, France.
– Groninger Museum, Holland.
– Roermond Museum, Holland.
– Museum der Stadt Ratingen, Germany.
EPOCHAL VISIONS: AN EXHAUSTIVE CHRONICLE OF WORKS BELONGING OR HAVING BELONGED TO THE GALLERY’S COLLECTIONS
