BNE is an anonymous graffiti artist known for stickers that read "BNE" or "BNE was here". The artist has left their mark in countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Asia, Romania, Australia, Europe, and South America. "His accent and knowledge of local artists suggest he is from New York."Corey Kilgannon, "Making a Name for Himself, With Just 3 Letters", The New York Times, December 8, 2009.
In May 2006, the San Francisco Police Department noted BNE's stickers appearing on public property across the city.Becky Bowman, "Reward for BNE sticker vandal", San Francisco Chronicle, July 18, 2006 As a result of the broken windows theory, Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco, offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to BNE's arrest.Demian Bulwa, "'BNE' graffiti man emerges – briefly", San Francisco Chronicle, December 9, 2009 Peter F. Vallone Jr., chairman of the New York City Council Public Safety Committee, has called BNE "an unrepentant criminal who has cost honest taxpayers a lot of money".
In 2009, the advertising agency Mother in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, commissioned the artist to create a mural near their agency at 44th Street and Eleventh Avenue as part of an exhibition of the artist's work."Mother New York and Animal Host First Ever BNE Exhibit Tonight in Hell's Kitchen" by Matt Van Hoven, AgencySpy, December 10, 2009 (registration required)"What or Who is B-N-E?" by John Noel, NBC New York, December 9, 2009
The song "The Children of the Night" on the Australian hip hop band Bliss n Eso's 2010 album Running on Air contains the lines: "Guerrilla activists seeing freedom clear / Across the globe sticking up, BNE WAS HERE.""The Children of the Night" lyrics, metrolyrics.com
In 2011 "BNE launched the BNE Water Foundation", however this charitable fund-raising project is no longer operating. Additionally, in 2013 and 2014 BNE was involved in several fundraising campaigns for Charity: Water.Artists 4 Water – BNE, Charity: Water"Rebel With a Cause: An Interview with BNE" by Jesse Thomas, Forbes, May 21, 2012
References
External links
News report, ABC News, September 18, 2006 (Original)