BRAME

Samuel E Vázquez, widely known by his 1980s New York City subway graffiti tag “BRAME”, is an influential contemporary visual artist whose career bridges the historical roots of New York style writing and formal Abstract Expressionism. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1970, his family relocated to New York City in 1979, positioning him at the epicenter of the blossoming hip-hop and graffiti subcultures.

The Subway Era: Mentored by the legendary Anthony “A-ONE” Clark, Vázquez became a prolific practitioner of “style writing” at just 13 years old. Throughout the 1980s, his “BRAME” moniker graced New York City subways, rooftops, and walls, including the renowned Graffiti Hall of Fame.

Abstract Expressionism: Transitioning into galleries, his current disciplined studio practice blends early style writing foundations with raw Abstract Expressionism. His complex surfaces emulate the tactile accumulation of city walls, layering mixed media like acrylic, graphite, oil stick, ink, and spray enamel. His work has been exhibited in numerous museums, galleries, and academic and cultural institutions.

BRAME is a member of the following NYC writing crews: Urban Warriors (UW), Ready For Action (RFA), Rock Those Rails/Ready For Action (RTRFA), Rock Those Rails (RTR), International Bombing Squad (IBS), and Born To Fight (BTF).

In 2014, HandSelecta documented BRAME’s tag for cultural and historical preservation. (See following video)