The Origins of RISK Multi-talented fine artist, sculptor, and graffiti pioneer, RISK stands as a towering figure in the history of American graffiti and street art. Born Kelly Graval, he moved to Los Angeles with his family as a teenager and quickly transformed his new high school into a personal canvas, using the city itself as a stage to push the limits of graffiti both in scale and ambition. Pioneering Street Art A fearless visionary, RISK was one of the first artists to bring graffiti and street art into gallery spaces, helping to transform a once-underground movement into a globally recognized art form. He has been a key member of several influential street art crews, most famously West Coast Artists (WCA) and The Seventh Letter. He is credited as one of the first artists to paint on freight trains and is widely recognized as a pioneer of “hitting up the heavens”—creating works on highly elevated surfaces like billboards, rooftops, and freeway overpasses, raising graffiti to new heights both literally and figuratively. Cultural Impact and Legacy RISK’s bold style and groundbreaking approach have earned him cultural prominence beyond the streets, with his art featured in music videos by legends such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Michael Jackson. Utilizing 860 gallons of paint and a team of 29 artists and volunteers, RISK achieved a monumental feat by creating the largest mural in Canada, spanning 74,000 square feet on the abandoned St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ontario. His fearless innovation and dedication continue to inspire artists worldwide and solidify his legacy as a foundational force in contemporary street art.