Andrew Witten, better known by his pseudonym Zephyr, began his artistic journey in 1977 by tagging his name on New York City subway cars. As part of the first wave of graffiti artists to transition from the streets to the art gallery scene, Zephyr played a crucial role in shaping the public perception of graffiti as a legitimate art form. His style, characterized by bold, fluid lines and a keen sense of composition, quickly distinguished him within the growing community of street artists. In 1982, Zephyr was one of the founding artists of the influential FUN Gallery in Greenwich Village. This gallery, a creative hub of the East Village scene, became a landmark venue for graffiti and street art, showcasing icons like Futura 2000, Kenny Scharf, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The FUN Gallery marked a pivotal moment, bringing street art into the heart of New York’s contemporary art world and legitimizing the work of graffiti artists in the eyes of collectors and critics. By 1983, Zephyr’s reputation was firmly established. His work was featured in an influential traveling exhibition in Japan alongside graffiti legends like Fab Five Freddy, Dominique Philbert, Futura 2000, and Dondi White. This tour introduced the world to New York’s vibrant graffiti culture, fostering international appreciation for a movement that had emerged largely underground. That same year, Zephyr was recruited by director Charlie Ahearn to design the opening sequence of Wild Style, the first film dedicated to hip-hop culture, in which he also made a cameo appearance. This film became iconic, capturing the spirit of the early hip-hop and graffiti scenes and immortalizing their impact on American culture. In 2001, Zephyr co-authored Dondi White Style Master General: The Life of Graffiti Artist Dondi White, a biography honoring his late friend and graffiti pioneer, Dondi White. The book not only documented Dondi’s life and work but also served as a tribute to the legacy of the early graffiti scene. In 2005, Zephyr’s work was featured in East Village USA at the New Museum, an exhibition that celebrated the artists and creative communities of the East Village that had defined the area in the 1980s. He also appeared in numerous documentaries on graffiti history, including Style Wars, The Art of Storytelling, and Bomb It, each offering insight into his role and influence in the graffiti movement. Throughout his career, Zephyr has remained a dedicated advocate for graffiti as a vital cultural expression, continually pushing boundaries and inspiring new generations. His work, deeply rooted in the rebellious spirit of New York’s streets, reflects a commitment not only to art but to a movement that has shaped global visual culture.