ART & FASHION SALON: James Top Productions Gathers Artists For STAYHIGH 149 Tribute!

One year ago on June 11, 2012 the art world lost one of it's most legendary graffiti writers, STAYHIGH 149. Last week a tribute memorial was held at White Rabbit in Soho to appreciate the super star of the graffiti world who passed away from liver disease at age 50. The mega event was organized by "the peoples graffiti artist:" James Top (James Top Productions), http://www.jamestopproductions.com who brought artists, (street and original graffiti) together for the tribute celebration.

Portrait by Danielle Mastrion

Wayne Roberts, aka STAYHIGH149, aka the "Voice of the Ghetto" starting writing in 1971 when he began to notice the names appearing on the insides of the strains and stations, TAKI 183, JOE 182, and PRAY. They were all artistic inspirations for him and he quickly became a top writer soon adding 149 for the street he lived on. STAYHIGH's status as an icon in the writing world was secured in concrete in 1974 when the iconic "The Faith OF Graffiti" was published. In 2008, the 35th anniversary edition was published with STAYHIGH on the cover. He retired (and retired his name), in 1975 for 20 years and after only a few brief appearances, shying away from the fame and exhibitions that were growing in the past 5-10 years, however his legendary style lives on. You can read all about his life and learn more at http://www.stayhigh149.com. Here's what the event looked like...