Bane Cwb

I began painting in early 1993 as a way to distance myself from the gang life that surrounded me in Chicago. Graffiti became more than an escape—it became a creative outlet and a lifelong passion. My cousin Meve introduced me to the culture before I started painting. His older cousins were already active writers, and together Meve and I went on to form our crew, **CWB**.

Like many writers, I started with one goal: getting my name up. Over the years, my name changed three times before becoming **Bane** in 1994, a name given to me by Apheks of ITS. That name has stayed with me ever since and represents my journey as an artist.

Outside of graffiti, I have a background in graphic design and worked professionally as a graphic designer. Although that’s no longer my full-time career, those skills continue to influence my work. I own and operate a screen-printing business where I design and produce T-shirts and stickers, much of it self-taught. I’m also the one who typically creates apparel for my crew.

A few years ago, I became a member of **The Mexican Calaveras Crew** from Mexico City, expanding my connections beyond Chicago and continuing to learn from artists in different places. I don’t consider myself the best or the worst at what I do—I’m always a student of the craft. My goal is to keep traveling, meet more writers, paint new walls, and continue growing as both an artist and a person.

For me, graffiti has always been more than paint on a wall. It’s been a path away from violence, a way to build lasting friendships, and a lifelong commitment to creativity.

If you’re using this for an exhibition, gallery, or website, I can also make it sound more contemporary and art-focused while keeping your personal story at the center.