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Roger Gastman
Cultural Historian at R. Rock Enterprises
Roger Gastman is a respected collector, curator, graffiti historian, and urban anthropologist with a deep-rooted passion for underground art scenes.
Having kickstarted his career in Bethesda, Maryland, Gastman transitioned from a teenage graffiti artist to a pivotal figure bridging the gap between underground art and mainstream culture.
In 1997, Gastman ventured into publishing with the graffiti magazine While You Were Sleeping, quickly transforming it from a DIY project to a globally distributed publication with over 80,000 monthly copies by 2001.
Notable for his collaborative ventures, Gastman co-founded Swindle magazine with renowned artist Shepard Fairey and has since contributed to the creation of 60 popular art books, widely translated for international audiences.
An influential curator, Gastman co-curated the groundbreaking Art in the Streets exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles in 2011, attracting over 250,000 visitors and providing graffiti and street art with institutional recognition.
His 2013 production, PUMP ME UP: D.C. subculture of the 1980s, showcased at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., coincided with the release of The Legend of COOL 'DISCO' DAN, a documentary he co-directed, amplifying the museum's attendance, receiving nationwide film screenings, and inspiring a companion book.
Gastman's involvement in acclaimed documentary films such as Infamy and Banksy's Exit Through the Gift Shop, which secured an Academy Award nomination, underscores his significant contributions to the art and cultural landscape.
Roger Gastman holds a high school diploma from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School and serves as Chief Creative Officer at R. Rock Enterprises, a role he previously held as Founder and Creative Director.