No matter where you go, there you are
Urban Expressionism
At the peak of New York City’s subway graffiti era, Stash quickly moved from witness to active participant, developing a visual language that became the foundation of his work across art, design, and streetwear.
Gallery Debut
In 1983, Stash exhibited his first canvas at "Graffiti Thanks A Lot " at Patti Astor’s FUN Gallery, alongside Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and their contemporaries.
At 17, this marked the beginning of his entry into the fine art world
Canvas located ast bottom right Graffiti Thanks A Lot. Circa 1983 Photo: Martha Cooper
Pushing INK
Before “streetwear” was recognized as a cultural category, Stash began translating his visual language into apparel. Using a DIY silkscreen setup, he produced early T-shirts for friends, extending his work beyond the (trains) walls and canvas.
Hand screened Krylon tee by Stash. circa 1985
Proof of Concept
In 1991, Stash exhibited work at Paris Graffiti, a pop-up gallery on famed Rue Chapon. For the show, he brought the Krylon Tee and a new Rust-Oleum design, partnering with Gerb and Futura to produce the shirts in limited runs.
The tees sold out at the exhibition. This marked Stash’s first formal step into product commercialization. Upon returning from Paris, the three formed GFS , pioneer streetwear label built around artist-driven design and limited production.
Stash selling Krylon and Rust-oleum Tees in Paris at art show "Paris Graffiti". Circa 1991
If you know, you know
Stash brought his own distinct visual approach and style to GFS .
Following the Krylon Tee success, his Phillies Blunt Tee became a defining release, circulating through hip hop and graffiti communities and triggering global recognition of the brand.
Photo for Subblueminal. Circa 2020 Photo by Suekwon
Surfaced Since '93
Following the success of GFS, Stash ventured out on his own, launching Subware in 1993. The label became a direct extension of his practice, translating the visual language and iconography of graffiti and his style into apparel.
The brand also became a platform for early artist collaborations, at a time when such partnerships were not yet codified. Emerging during the formative years of streetwear, the label existed at the intersection of art, design, and culture, as these boundaries were still taking shape.
Stash presenting Subware at the 432F Trade Show, San Diego, circa 1995.
The Harajuku Connection
In 1995, Stash was invited to Japan during an early period of exchange between New York and Tokyo street culture. While in Tokyo, he was introduced to Nigo and Sk8thing by Hitomi, a friend and London-based designer / creative working between the two scenes.
A meeting at the NOWHERE office followed. Nigo and Sk8thing were already familiar with GFS and Stash’s work, and the encounter marked the beginning of a lasting relationship. Around the same time, Subware shifted its Japanese distribution to Mad Hectic, a Tokyo-based streetwear collective and distributor central to the Harajuku scene.
This period also marked the start of Stash’s long-term relationship with A Bathing Ape, which would continue for nearly two decades.
Bleu, Futura, Stash, and Nigo in Tokyo. Circa 1997
Retail Therapy
In 1999, Stash opened Recon on Eldridge Street in the Lower East Side. At the time, it was the only store in New York carrying Ura-Harajuku brands such as Neighborhood, Bounty Hunter, WTAPS, and A Bathing Ape, alongside Recon apparel, the Subware collection, and limited sneaker releases.
Recon quickly became a destination, drawing attention well beyond its neighborhood on the Lower East Side. The store later expanded with locations in San Francisco and Tokyo
Recon Shop, New York City. Circa 1999
The Saga Continues
From the 90’s onward, Stash’s work has continued to evolve beyond its underground origins, finding new expressions across art, design, and product while remaining rooted in graffiti and culture.
This includes a long-running relationship with Nike, spanning decades of collaborations and releases integral to the rise of sneaker culture as the global phenomenon known today.
BLUE IS BACK.
SUBBLUEMINAL
Until now, Stash’s story has only been reported on, largely through second-hand accounts. SUBBLUEMINAL, led by Ting Lim and Jaz Loh of Invasion Studios, documents it first hand, through Stash and his contemporaries.
Volume One