Meet Boundary-Breaking Graffiti Artist, RISK

Whether it’s an abandoned warehouse, a hidden alleyway, or the underside of a bridge, the world around us is the perfect canvas for graffiti artists. A unique blend of rebellion and raw talent, graffiti has evolved into a remarkable form of self-expression — one that’s becoming more respected with every passing year. Though it was once dismissed as vandalism, graffiti has become more socially accepted and appreciated, thanks in large part to the artists who double as advocates for the art form.

One of these pioneering artists is none other than Kelly “RISK” Graval. For more than 30 years, he’s turned the city of Los Angeles (and the world at large) into his very own gallery.

From the neon-soaked nights of the 80s to today’s mainstream art scene, RISK has been there for it all. With each paint stroke, he’s helped prove that graffiti isn’t just a colorful paint on a wall — it’s an unstoppable creative movement.

Background: The Origins of a Street Art Legend

A Louisiana native, RISK and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was a teenager. A self-proclaimed “bad kid”, he spent most of his time in school doodling rather than listening to his teachers.

“I used to ditch school and surf all the time. And when I came to school, I would just draw on my desk.”

It wasn’t until he met a kid from New York that he was introduced to the world of street art. The kid showed RISK pictures of the art that adorned the New York City subways. That same day, he stole spray paint from a local hardware store and painted a piece on the side of his school.

From then on, he was hooked. Soon, he was making his mark around LA, painting everything from train yards to freeway overpasses. The only trace of his identity he’d ever leave behind was his tag, RISK — a fitting name given some of the dicey situations he found himself in.

“When I was doing graffiti in the early 80s…there was only gang graffiti in Los Angeles. So, when we’re out painting someone’s neighborhood, and we’re not from that neighborhood, they would assume that we were from another gang. So they’d shoot at us,” he explains.

While his passion came with its fair share of risk, it ended up taking him to incredible places. He attended both the Pasadena Art Institute and the University of Southern California School of Fine Arts — both on full scholarships. Not to mention it also led to an international art career that saw him work with some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Career: From Graffiti King to Global Icon

With his tag all over LA, it wasn’t long until RISK became a hot commodity in the music industry. His work started to appear in music videos for some of the top artists and bands of the time, including Michael Jackson, Ice Cube, Bad Religion, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. He also collaborated with Travis Barker to design the cover art for Blink 182’s 2019 album “9”. His art also captured the attention of the iconic rock band, Aerosmith. They reached out to him to paint a mural announcing their world tour in 2014.

That said, RISK’s reach extends far beyond the music scene. Over time, his work started to appear in some of the top galleries and museums in cultural hubs around the world, such as Toronto, New York, and London. In 2012, he worked on a mural for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which was displayed at the London Pleasure Gardens. In 2020, another career high came when he painted a mural for the Super Bowl LIV.

A bona fide legend in the modern art world, RISK’s work has grabbed the attention of countless outlets around the world, including NBC, BBC, Forbes, The Los Angeles Times, and more.

Newest Projects: A Creative Ride with No End in Sight

RISK is as active in the art community as he’s ever been. Not only is he still producing artworks of all kinds (including sculptures), but he’s constantly attending gallery shows and art festivals. Most recently, he attended The Art of Surf show to celebrate the inaugural opening of the VEFA Gallery and created a custom metallic tissue sculpture for the Ampersand Show in Las Vegas.

But when asked about his plans for the future during an exclusive interview on The Team Ignition Show, RISK’s answer is a simple one: “I don’t really know. I don’t plan. Life’s a hell of a ride. And I think that, if you plan stuff, you’re kind of at the end of the ride. And I love the ride.”

Fun Facts:

• RISK was knighted by the Medici Family.
• He was the first artist invited to paint in Michaelangelo’s studio in over 400 years.
• Aerosmith once said of RISK: “RISK is to graffiti what Aerosmith is to rock and roll.”
• He was the first West Coast artist to ever paint New York’s subway trains.
• In 1989, he won the World Graffiti Championship with partner Slick in England.
• Risk was also a pioneer in streetwear as he founded the beloved Third Rail Streetwear clothing line. The brand was extremely successful and lasted 18 years until he sold it on his daughter’s first birthday.
• One of RISK’s go-to expressions is “Keep on keepin’ on.”

Keep Up with RISK

If there’s one key takeaway from RISK’s journey, it’s this: art has the power to transform, challenge, and inspire…as long as you’re willing to take a few risks along the way (no pun intended). As a trailblazer in the street art community, RISK is living proof that, with grit and gall, the definition of art can be anything you make it.

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