WhIsBe b. 1987

WhIsBe  is recognized in both street art and the mainstream art world, including museums, galleries, and public installations. His name, shorthand for “What is Beauty,” is playful yet introduces the cultural critique and subversive themes central to his work.  A graduate of New York’s School of Visual Arts, WhIsBe is largely self-taught. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s commercial imagery and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s disruption of public space, he began posting self-sanctioned street work in 2011 to reach audiences beyond traditional institutions. His work continues to spark dialogue by pairing familiar, seemingly innocent imagery with provocative messages that challenge perception and meaning.