![Three graffiti writers strike poses, two holding spray cans. A fourth member of their crew joins them.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/2024_6_6-Writers1-tina.jpg)
On Thursday, June 6, we celebrated the opening of COMPLEXITY at ARTS at King Street Station. Four graffiti artists painted canvases live in the plaza of King Street Station, while DJ Supreme La Rock spun in the gallery and Natoncks Metsu dished out food for guests. Scroll through for photos of the opening event.
COMPLEXITY is on view until July 20, 2024. ARTS at King Street Station is FREE and open Wednesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on First Thursdays. The gallery is located at 303 S. Jackson St., Top Floor, Seattle, WA 98104.
![DJ Supreme La Rock spins at DJ booth](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0049.jpg)
The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) in partnership with The American Graffiti & Urban Art Conservation Project (AMGRAF) and APEX Art & Cultural Center is honored to bring the legendary DogTown Collection to ARTS at King Street Station. COMPLEXITY is a celebration of graffiti art and culture, presented in all its forms.
Curated by Sire One (ARTS) and Baby-G Carswell (AMGRAF), COMPLEXITY demonstrates what graffiti is and can be, offering local examples of the art style and its history.
The DogTown Collection is an epic collection of masterpieces created by some of the most influential graffiti writers to have painted over the last 50 years. Over 20 pieces from it will be on display along with additional works from local writers contributing pieces from their personal collections, including black-books, magazines (pre-Instagram), jackets, stickers, and more.
With this exhibition, the curators hope to foster a deeper understanding of the complexity of graffiti and aerosol expressionism.
![Gallery space filled with graffiti art with three visitors](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0007.jpg)
About APEX and AMGRAF
APEX Art & Culture Center is a cultural oasis nestled within the heart of historic downtown Everett.
The AMGRAF museum is their 501(c)(3) non-profit museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of the artists who risked life, limb and freedom to find their voices and be seen and heard. It features The DogTown Collection, the world’s largest collection of graffiti and urban art on canvas.
What to Expect
COMPLEXITY contains 2D and 3D works featuring graffiti writing, stickers, portraits, and fictional characters engaged in skateboarding, huffing paint, and listening to music.
![Live painters pose in front of their canvases](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/2024_6_6-Writers-leland.jpg)
![A group of people crowd in the Living Room space at ARTS at King Street Station.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/2024_6_6-LivingRoom-leland.jpg)
![Four gallery visitors point at and view photos on a poster board](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0054.jpg)
![Two spectators lean in to watch live graffiti painting in the plaza.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/2024_6_6-LivePainting1-otts.jpg)
![Gallery visitor views two graffiti paintings on wall](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0025.jpg)
![Gallery space filled with graffiti art with three visitors](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0030.jpg)
![Gallery visitor looks at graffiti stickers on a poster board](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0006.jpg)
![Arts Director Gulgun Kayim speaks to two guests](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0026.jpg)
![Artists spray paint on canvases on the King Street Station plaza with onlookers](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0011.jpg)
![Artists spray paint on canvases on the King Street Station plaza](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0013.jpg)
![A skate deck hangs from the ceiling in the gallery. It's painted with stylized lettering that spells out LOVE WINS.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/2024_6_6-Skatedeck-leland.jpg)
![Artists spray paint on canvases on the King Street Station plaza](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0036.jpg)
![An older man wearing a cap and heavy necklaces speaks into a mic.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/AMGRAF-at-King-Street-Station-251-scaled.jpg)
![A young woman speaks into a mic in front of an audience. Behind her is a DJ with all his equipment.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/2024_6_6-BabyG-leland.jpg)
![Three people posing in front of a graffiti canvas mounted on a wall.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/2024_6_6-Curators-tina.jpg)
![Artist spray paints on canvases on the King Street Station plaza](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0038.jpg)
![Artists spray paint on canvases on the King Street Station plaza with onlookers](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0044.jpg)
![Two guests hold drinks and talk to caterer across long catering table with food](https://cdn.statically.io/img/artbeat.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2024/06/DSC_0063.jpg)
Photos by Nadia Ahmed.