Four Awesome Graffiti Artists That Aren’t Banksy

Published May 5, 2012
Updated January 25, 2018

Awesome Graffiti Artists ESPO

Awesome Graffiti Artists: Steve Powers AKA ESPO

Steve Powers

Steve Powers (aka ESPO) was a graffiti writer most popular in NYC who had consistently blurred the lines of illegal and legal graffiti. His graffiti writing usually took place during the day and generally involved tagging closed storefronts under the disguise of an “Exterior Surface Painting Outreach” (ESPO) member and telling passersby he was simply cleaning the fronts.

During his height of creativity in the 90s, many praised his works for their conceptual brilliance and style, which usually resembled legitimate billboards. But after a 1999 arrest and six felony charges, Powers gave up graffiti.

Espo

Awesome Graffiti Artists Steve Powers

Espo Graffiti Artist

Awesome Graffiti Artists That Aren't Banksy

Four Awesome Graffiti Artists

author
All That's Interesting
author
A New York-based publisher established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science to share stories that illuminate our world.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.