During the early 1980’s, as graffiti was beginning to cover the facades of city buildings all over the world, gallery owners and collectors began to see a painting style that was truly democratic. One of the few artists to endure the test of time has, perhaps, been Richard Hambleton. His images of human Shadows tattooed alley walls and alcoves mostly in the downtown areas of Manhattan but also in a few European capitals. This was during a period when pedestrians feared growing crime rates and knew that virtually anybody could be the next victim.  These Shadows lurking in the darkest crevices of the city would scare those passing by for a moment - but also gave them a heightened sense of awareness. The works of art represented in these photographs no longer exist, a prelude and tribute to what is now called ephemeral art. BACK