Sane Smith
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Sane & Smith were the names used by a New York graffiti duo, composed of David Smith ("Sane") and his brother Roger Smith ("Smith"), active during the 1980s.
About
Sane & Smith were among the most persistent taggers in New York during the 1980s. According to Smith, they set themselves and accomplished the goal of leaving a tag every 20 feet in the 60th Street Tunnel.[1] Sane & Smith are particularly notable for painting on the top level of New York's Brooklyn Bridge, after which they were sued by the City of New York for $3 million, the biggest lawsuit to date against graffiti writers.[2] The work covered both sides of the Manhattan tower of the bridge, and was visible for miles.[3]
New York's Transit Police had been tracking Sane & Smith for three years and described them as "one of the top 20 graffiti artists in the city in terms of damage done."[4]
David Smith was not college educated. His brother Roger obtained a degree in computer science from Fordham University, though subsequently gave up his job to paint full-time.[2]
In October 1990,[5] Sane was found dead in the waters of Flushing Bay.[2] Speculation about the reasons for his death were rife but inconclusive.[6] It was believed he was a good swimmer.[2] In February, aged 19, he had been arrested and had become the first graffiti writer in Manhattan to be formally accused of third-degree criminal mischief.[5][7] The city dropped its lawsuit against Smith after Sane's death.[8]
Roger Smith continued to paint as "Smith", collaborating with Chris Pape ("Freedom").[9] Smith is married to fellow graffiti artist Lady Pink.
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