Ryan Weston Shook (SABER) — MSK Lead Admin • Creator of the Historic 250×55ft LA River Burner
Ryan Weston Shook, known as SABER, achieved graffiti immortality in 1997 when he painted the world-famous 250ft by 55ft piece along the concrete embankment of the Los Angeles River—visible from high-altitude satellites and standing for 12 years. As a lead admin of MSK, Saber represents the pinnacle of large-scale environmental aerosol painting and fierce advocacy for artists' free expression.
“We scaled concrete ravines that people thought were impossible to touch. When you leave a mark visible from space, you change the nature of public space forever.”
SABER brought high-pressure aerosol can control into an empty backyard kidney pool in Silver Lake, wrapping vibrant wildstyle letters seamlessly around the curved concrete transition right up to the coping stones.
Painted over 35 consecutive night missions between 1996 and 1997, SABER's colossal LA River piece measured 250 feet wide by 55 feet high, requiring 97 gallons of paint and 350 aerosol cans. It stood for 12 years and was photographed by high-resolution satellites.
LA River Graffiti and Skateboarding — Official Graffiti Encyclopedia video documentation featuring Ryan Weston Shook (SABER) (MSK).
Saber at the Los Angeles Artshow — Official Graffiti Encyclopedia video documentation featuring Ryan Weston Shook (SABER) (MSK).
The story of the MTA roller #graffiti #graffitiart #shorts — Official Graffiti Encyclopedia video documentation featuring Ryan Weston Shook (SABER) (MSK).
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