WhIsBe

WhIsBe is an anonymous, self-taught artist based in New York whose name abbreviates the phrase What is Beauty. He began placing unauthorised work on city streets in 2011, citing Andy Warhol's use of commercial imagery and Jean-Michel Basquiat's use of public space. His practice alters familiar images to carry political commentary, and extends from street work to sculpture, prints and collaborations. He first drew attention with McDictator, and is best known for the Vandal Gummy series, which sets a gummy bear against a prison mugshot background; a related installation was made with the New Museum in 2016.