DONDI WHITE
Donald J. White, American
1961 – 1998
Dondi White, also known as “Dondi,” embodies the essence of New York graffiti from the ’70s and ’80s—an art form flourishing at the heart of the city that never sleeps. Born Donald J. White on April 7, 1961, in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, this young talent of African-American and Italian descent quickly distinguished himself with his innovative and bold style. The youngest of five siblings, he spent his childhood sketching in his black books, filling them with designs that displayed precision and creativity.
As a teenager, Dondi began honing his skills in the streets of New York, signing his works under various aliases (BUS 129, MR WHITE, PRE, POSE, ROLL, 2 MANY, ASIA) before finally settling on the name “Dondi” in the late ’70s. His unique vision and meticulous style quickly made him a major figure in graffiti, an uncontested “king” of style and composition. His talent was on full display on the famous whole cars—entire subway trains he mastered with ease, leaving an indelible mark, particularly with his iconic Children of the Grave series in 1980.
During this era, New York was both an experimental ground and a battleground for graffiti artists. As authorities tightened restrictions and access to trains became more difficult, Dondi reinvented his art. In 1980, he turned to canvas, bringing a new dimension to his unique aesthetic. He was quickly propelled onto the art scene, participating in a group exhibition in 1981, before the Fun Gallery dedicated a solo exhibition to him in 1982.
His art transcended borders, appearing in the film Wild Style and through the New York City Rap tour, which introduced him to audiences across the Atlantic. Commissions poured in, and his work was exhibited in galleries and museums in the Netherlands and Germany, solidifying his international reputation.
With an inimitable style soon dubbed “Dondism,” Dondi became a living legend, an iconic figure of New York graffiti culture, and a beacon of contemporary art.
« 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
