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2026
Artist /
Dawud Anyabwile, Sew SM, Imse, Saoka, David Solan, aka DISTORT, Esteme, Jose Bustamante, aka BUSTA, Rew, Diana Gonzalez, Efrain Herrera, Kien Nguyen
Location /
412 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA
Status /
In Progress
Upcoming Events /

Construction of Style

Construction of Style in-process, June 3, 2026. Photo by Steve Weinik.

Construction of Style is a collaborative outdoor exhibition exploring the development of the modern graffiti artform and paying homage to a crew of pioneering Philadelphia graffiti writers, including Cornbread, Cool Earl, Tity, Sub, Cone ICP, and Lewis. The exhibition features work designed by Dawud Anyabwile (BrothaMan Comics), Sew SM, Imse, Saoka, Distort BAMC, Esteme, Busta, Rew, Diana Gonzalez, Efrain Herrera, and Kien Nguyen.

Professor Amina Tawasil of Columbia University’s School of Anthropology, whose ethnographic field work focuses on graffiti writers in Philadelphia, New York City, and urban New Jersey, also created a guided audio tour meant to be experienced while standing in front of each piece. The tour is the product of in-depth interviews exploring each artists’ graffiti journey, design process, and reflections on the finished work.

“Philadelphia is the birthplace of graffiti, and yet there aren’t many large-scale graffiti murals in the city. Busta saw this wall as a chance to make a statement, to show respect to the culture that was created here and to try to inspire the next generation.”
— Construction of Style audio tour by Professor Amina Tawasil of Columbia University’s School of Anthropology, featuring interviews with Busta
View in progress photos of the exhibition.
Construction of Style in-process, June 3, 2026. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Construction of Style in-process, June 3, 2026. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Construction of Style in-process, June 3, 2026. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Construction of Style in-process, June 3, 2026. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Construction of Style in-process, June 3, 2026. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Construction of Style in-process, June 3, 2026. Photo by Steve Weinik.
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