Between 1971 and 1977, the golden age of the New York graffiti movement, Charles Henry emerged along side pioneering artists as FLINT… Ex Vandals,
Dime 139 S.S.B., Aim S.S.B., Asp 1 S.S.B., Poke, Naco, Koke, Pee Wee, Butter, Lee S.S.B., Fab 5 Freddie and later Jean-Michel Basquiat. Under the tag of “FLIP-ONE!”.
Flip-One’s work could be seen on subway cars in all five boroughs. Originally, writers risked their lives tagging & throwing up pieces on the subway cars in service, but we got our kicks in the subway yards where we were able to “bomb” more cars in less time.
Preserved only through film and still photography, this temporary art form was usually scrubbed off the trains by the end of the week. If you were lucky your work would run much longer.
During the late 70’s and early 80’s art scene, as many of the original writers began selling their art in galleries, Charles pursued a career in television. The recipient of three Emmy awards, Charles is a respected film and television cinematographer.
PUBLICATIONS:
Charles Henry aka “Flip-One” images are featured as part of the Foundation Cartier pour l’art contemporain retrospective “Born in the Streets-Graffiti” P.25-28, in Paris, France. You will also find images of “Flip-One” in the book Graffiti New York by Eric Felisbret “Deal CIA” P.110,
Branding New York by Miriam Greenberg P.65, Graffiti 365 by Jay “J.SON” Edlin P.341 and Classic Hits: New York's Pioneering Subway Graffiti Writers Alan Fleisher (Author), Paul Iovino (Author), Phase 2 (Introduction). All the black & white photo’s in these books of Flip-One were taken by fellow graffiti artist “FLINT…”
INVITED AND PARTICIPATED
September 2009 Autumn Lights Los Angeles
September 2010 Autumn Lights Los Angeles
March 2011 Vox Pop Art Gallery Tampa, Florida
June 2011 Crewest Gallery “The Art of Transportation” Los Angeles
July 2011 Graffiti Universe Bronx, N.Y. “Wall Mural” with AIM S.S.B., Spar and Alive 5.
September 2011 Crewest Gallery “CANceptual V.4” Los Angeles.
November 2011 Crewest Gallery “Top Of The Dome 8” Los Angeles.
Charles Henry is also the subject of the documentary film, “Flip-One”, which premiered at the 2009 San Francisco Independent Film Festival. Now his “bombing” is contained to only model subway cars, Plexiglas and canvas, Charles lives and creates in southern California.