KEO XMEN (b. 1965)

KEO XMEN, also known as Lord Scotch 79, stands as a vital figure in the history of New York graffiti—a prolific artist whose influence spans four decades and reaches across graffiti, hip-hop, graphic design, and contemporary art. Bridging street culture and commercial creativity, KEO has shaped the visual language of multiple generations while preserving the legacy of traditional graffiti writing.

Born and raised in New York City, KEO began painting graffiti in the late 1970s, emerging from the golden era of subway art. Influenced by the movement’s early pioneers, he honed his craft on the steel canvases of the MTA system, developing a bold and instantly recognisable style marked by dynamic letterforms, pop culture motifs, and comic book flair.

By the age of fifteen, KEO had earned his place in the city’s emerging art scene, exhibiting at the legendary FUN Gallery—the first gallery to seriously champion graffiti as fine art. There, he showed alongside icons such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, DONDI, FUTURA 2000, HAZE, and Richard Hambleton, in an environment that fused underground energy with institutional credibility.

While his roots were in subway graffiti, KEO’s creative practice evolved into a powerful fusion of street art and design, making him a key figure in shaping the visual identity of East Coast hip-hop through iconic projects such as the cover artwork for MF DOOM’s Operation: Doomsday (1999)—widely regarded as one of the most influential album covers in underground rap—as well as visuals and branding for Kool Keith, Inspectah Deck, EPMD, Nervous Records, and more.

KEO’s ability to balance authenticity and innovation also led to collaborations with global lifestyle and fashion brands, including Nike, Supreme, Stussy and Adidas amongst others.

He has extended his design language into large-scale projects and creative direction for brands such as Montblanc, Harley-Davidson, Airbnb, and Warner Brothers—bringing his streetwise aesthetic into global spaces while remaining rooted in the culture.

Beyond his contributions as an artist and designer, KEO helped shape the market for graffiti as fine art. In 2000, he curated the first major graffiti art auction at Guernsey’s Auction House, held at NYC’s historic Puck Building. This groundbreaking moment marked graffiti’s transition into the formal art market, challenging perceptions and affirming the genre’s cultural and financial value.

Woodbury House is proud to collaborate with KEO XMEN—honouring his legacy as a style innovator, cultural historian, and one of the original writers who helped define what graffiti is and what it could become.

From subway steel to museum walls, album covers to brand campaigns, KEO continues to move culture forward without ever forgetting where it began.

To learn more about KEO XMEN, enquire about available works, or hear about upcoming exhibitions and events, we’d be delighted to connect.