"You tell me what to say and when to say it.
You tell me what to do and how to do it.
And if I ask you why, you'll arrest me.
And if I call you lie, you'll detest me.
You control what I'll be, you control who I see.
And if I let you, you'll control me."
— Bad Brains, "Regulator" (1982)Defying Authority brings together artists whose works, often displayed on public walls and transit systems, challenge societal norms and disrupt established boundaries. Rooted in rebellion, these creations confront the powers that manipulate public perception—whether they be governments, media, corporations, or individuals. These artists champion freedom, justice, and liberation, pushing back against systems that perpetuate injustice.
We celebrate these creators for their defiant spirit and the radical actions they take to reclaim public spaces. By risking arrest and societal disapproval, they carry forward a legacy of resistance shared by Civil Rights activists of the 1960s, punk subcultures of the 1970s, and anti-war demonstrators of today.
"You assist an evil system most effectively by obeying its orders and decrees. An evil system never deserves such allegiance. Allegiance to it means partaking of the evil. A good person will resist an evil system with their whole soul."
— Mahatma GandhiThis exhibition highlights the motivations, creative processes, and personal stories of artists whose work is as daring as it is innovative. Defying Authority showcases a global roster of talent, including original pieces from Cash4 (USA), Cool Cone (USA), Cornbread (USA), Distort (USA), Eneri (Brazil), Indecline (USA), Infoe (USA), Konqr (USA), Nug (Sweden), Sub (USA), TAPS MOSES TM (Germany), Toxicomano Callejero (Argentina), UFO (Chile), Utah (USA), Vayne (USA), Verse (USA), Zeb (USA), and others.
We invite you to experience their artistry and explore the consequences of their defiance—whether it’s injury, incarceration, isolation, or success. From self-taught visionaries to formally trained provocateurs, these artists live by a code of resistance, pushing the boundaries of convention to leave lasting marks on urban landscapes—and in our minds.
