Rene Gagnon Mixed Media on paper 25 x 76.5 cm Edition 7/50 2012 Rene Gagnon was enthralled by the rap and graffiti movement that originated in New York City in the early 80's. Gagnon found his calling in this movement. "I was born in 1971 and raised in the city of Fall River, Massachusetts, a dusty mill town rich in culture located about 45 minutes south of Boston. I started drawing graffiti on my school book covers and piecing in railway tunnels in the early 80's after seeing the movies, 'Wild Style' and 'Beat Street'. My thirst for creation truly exploded after seeing the graffiti art from the streets of New York City in those movies. The enormity of the works and the care free expression of color displayed a means by which I could gain the attention that every teen is so desperately seeking. This rebellious idea of searching for your identity through the use of markers and spray paint fueled my desire to follow in the footsteps of a graffiti artist.