Review of Graffiti Expressionism

DARE | Sigi von Koeding in Basel

Abstract

The book offers an in-depth exploration of the life and work of Sigi von Koeding, known as DARE, positioning him as a central figure in the evolution of European graffiti. Schlusche moves beyond a conventional biographical account, proposing the term Graffiti Expressionism to articulate a bridge between street-based name writing and the expressive traditions of modern art. The review discusses how the book intertwines personal narrative, art-historical analysis, and visual documentation to construct a coherent chronology from DARE’s early interventions in Basel to his mature studio practice. It highlights the author’s nuanced treatment of DARE’s transition from illegal graffiti to studio-based painting and his growing recognition within institutional contexts. Ultimately, the review situates Schlusche’s work as an important contribution to the critical re-evaluation of graffiti and street art within the broader discourse of contemporary art history.