Free

Jose “Prime” Reza is a founding father of Los Angeles’ famed, stylized graffiti lettering. He created the artwork for Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture, the dynamic exhibition co-presented by Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA and A+D Museum about the elements of hip-hop – emceeing, b-boying, and graffiti – and their influence on design and architecture.

Now it’s time to hear from Prime.

Please join us on Friday, September 15, when Prime will sit down with celebrated muralist Man One, in a conversation moderated by Scott “Sourdough” Power, creator and publisher of indie arts media website NotRealArt.com.

Prime and Man One will talk about the birth of graffiti in LA and the influence of East Coast hip-hop; and they will share stories about wild childhoods painting the walls of LA, to what it means to be established artists navigating a world in which street art is a commodity.

Jointly presented by Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA and A+D Museum, as a part of the Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture exhibition.

Ambiance: DJ Caviar

Complimentary valet parking available!

About Prime

Jose “Prime” Reza is an American graffiti artist born and raised in the Pico-Union District of Downtown Los Angeles. Prime is credited with being a founding father of Los Angeles stylized graffiti lettering, a hybrid of Cholo lettering and East Coast style graffiti that is often bold, aggressive, and monochromatic.

Prime is considered one of the most influential artists in the history of Los Angeles public wall writing, combining “traditional east coast painting techniques with geometric gangster-style blocks,” according to the curators of the book and exhibition Art in the Streets. His work has been exhibited in many shows including Art in the Streets, L.A. Louver Gallery and LA Art Show.

Photo by Monica Orozco Photography

About Man One

Growing up in Los Angeles, Man One developed his artistic skills as a graffiti artist on the streets of LA. He honed his talents as a fine artist and understanding of art history at Loyola Marymount University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. In 2002, Man One founded Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles to legitimize graffiti art as a valuable and collectible art form and give graffiti artists a professional venue and forum in which to showcase their work.

Man One’s art comprises his trademark bold, colorful art strokes and has been featured in over a dozen solo shows, and countless group exhibitions. His work has been exhibited in many museums including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, The Getty, Pasadena Museum of California Art, LACMA, and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

Photo by Abel Alejandre

About Scott “Sourdough” Power


Scott “Sourdough” Power is an arts media entrepreneur and producer based in Los Angeles. He is the creator and publisher of NotRealArt.com and chief content officer of Crewest Studio, a production company specializing in arts programming which he co-founded with L.A. artist Man One. Power hosts the NOT REAL ART podcast under the pseudonym “Sourdough,” a moniker he earned while living off-the-grid in northern Canada perfecting his tasty sourdough pancakes. Scott is proud to be a member of venerable The Explorers Club and 2x Ironman triathlon finisher.

Sponsored by

Crewest Studio is an LA based production company specializing in contemporary creative arts programming.
CrewestStudio.com | @creweststudio

Not Real Art is the your leading independent source for discovering new artists.
NotRealArt.com | @NotRealArtWorld