Shadowman of Street Art | 1952–2017

Richard Hambleton was a Canadian-born artist best known for his haunting “Shadowman” street paintings that appeared on walls across New York City in the 1980s.

Richard Hambleton

Richard Hambleton was a Canadian-born artist whose eerie, silhouetted “Shadowman” figures became a haunting presence on the streets of New York City in the 1980s. 

Often called the godfather of street art, Hambleton's work predated—and influenced—icons like Basquiat and Haring, blending performance, mystery, and raw expression. His figures would appear overnight on alley walls and doorways, startling passersby and transforming the urban landscape into a living artwork. 

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Hambleton resisted commercialisation, staying focused on the emotional impact of his work and the ephemeral nature of street art. Though he lived much of his later life in obscurity, his influence never faded. 

In recent years, Hambleton’s work has seen renewed recognition, celebrated for its power, originality, and lasting contribution to the evolution of contemporary street art.