A new exhibition at BronxArtSpace is putting the spotlight on a group of New York City women who came up through the graffiti scene of the 1990s and 2000s and have continued to build creative careers decades later.
“Vandals to Vanguard,” curated by artist KayLove, brings together the work of seven women whose early experiences as taggers, bombers and piecers helped shape their creative voices. The exhibition looks at how that early connection to graffiti has continued to influence their work as artists, entrepreneurs and creatives.
The participating artists are JAKEE, QUEEN ANDREA, CLAW, SHIRO1, LEX, MRSBX and MOKA213.
While their work may have started on the streets and trains of New York, their creative paths have taken them in many different directions. Their careers now include everything from photography, fashion and graphic design to mural work, textiles, glass blowing and owning businesses.
The idea behind “Vandals to Vanguard” is not that these artists left graffiti behind. Instead, the exhibition looks at how the creativity, discipline and entrepreneurial spirit they developed through graffiti became the foundation for what came next.
Each artist will also share a short testimonial about her connection to graffiti culture, her creative journey and what has kept her making art.
Adding another personal element to the exhibition are portraits of the artists by Bronx photographer Abigail Montes, a member of Seis del Sur. The portraits document the women behind the work and offer another way to look at their individual stories.
The exhibition opened September 11 with music by DJKAYKAY47 and will remain on view through October 24.
Vandals to Vanguard
On view: September 11–October 24, 2026
Where: BronxArtSpace, 700 Manida Street, Bronx, NY 10474
Entrance: Ground floor entrance on Spofford Avenue
Gallery hours: Thursday and Friday, 2–6pm; Saturday, 12–5pm
Admission: Free
BronxArtSpace is a community-based nonprofit art space that presents exhibitions, workshops and other cultural programming, with a particular focus on supporting local and often under-resourced artists.
For more information, visit BronxArtSpace.