NOC 167 (born Melvin Samuels Jr.) grew up in the Bronx as the youngest son in a family of six children. Comic books and video games inspired his early drawings. At the School of Visual Arts, he was a classmate of Keith Haring, and later became one of the artists featured in the 1980 Fashion MODA Graffiti Art Success exhibition, who were also embraced by renowned art galleries. His paintings appeared on more than 200 subway cars and even surfaced in the opening credits of Charlie Ahearn’s cult film Wild Style. With his three-dimensional lettering, disco- and neon-colored palettes, and comic book–like characters, he elevated the so-called “wild style” of graffiti’s second generation to new heights. His most famous work is the composition Style Wars.
Less typical in NOC 167’s oeuvre is Happy Valentine’s Day, a near-caricature portrayal of a “bombshell”: enormous blue eyes, voluminous blonde hair, full lips and breasts, a coquettish pose, and frivolous anatomical details. The postcard-like greeting is accompanied by the inscription: “Happy Valentine’s, NOC 167, the prince of graffiti.” The female figure is embraced by a red heart and shining stars against a vivid pink and blue background. The rather vulgar yet sexually attractive woman recalls popular culture phenomena such as the “pin-up girl” or the stereotypically voluptuous female characters of comic books and animations.
Krisztina Szipőcs