Mear One

MEAR ONE is a Los Angeles-based artist and muralist who has played a central role in shaping the city’s graffiti and street art culture for nearly four decades. Emerging in the late 1980s, he was a key figure in the Melrose graffiti movement and is widely regarded as one of the most prolific public muralists in Los Angeles.

Early in his career, MEAR ONE helped bridge the gap between graffiti and fine art. He was among the first graffiti artists to exhibit in gallery spaces, including 01 Gallery on Melrose and 33 1/3 Gallery in Silverlake. His work has since been included in major exhibitions such as Art in the Streets at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as shows at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, Orlando Museum of Art, and the California Center for the Arts. He has also held a solo exhibition at the Museum of Graffiti.

His paintings and murals often combine surrealism with metaphysical themes, drawing from ancient mythology, philosophy, and contemporary issues. Through layered compositions and symbolic imagery, his work seeks to engage viewers with deeper questions about reality and consciousness.

MEAR ONE’s works are held in both institutional and private collections, including the Laguna Art Museum and The Chambers Project. His practice continues to influence the evolution of graffiti as a recognized form of fine art.