BLEEK

Cody “BLEEK” Smith is a Los Angeles graffiti artist, photographer, filmmaker, and historian closely tied to the city’s hip hop and graffiti culture. As a member of The Shape Shifters and the legendary CBS graffiti crew, Smith has documented decades of creative history surrounding a network of influential artists, writers, musicians, and performers. His photography became a vital archive of LA graffiti culture, eventually leading him to direct the CBS documentary Can’t Be Stopped. In his book From Negatives to Positives: 30 Years in Graffiti, Smith combines personal history, crew history, and more than 150 photographs capturing the art, friendships, losses, and resilience behind the movement. Through his work, BLEEK stands as both a participant in and a keeper of Los Angeles graffiti history.

SPRAY IN PROGRESS: A 5×10 “JOKER” BANNER IS IN BLEEK’S HANDS NOW.