Tony Quan (1968/1969 – September 1, 2023), better known by the tag name Tempt One or Tempt1, was an American graffiti artist who began painting graffiti in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. His style combined the city’s local cholo graffiti culture with New York’s hip-hop lettering to create a unique “Los Angeles” style.
In 2003, Tempt was diagnosed with the degenerative nerve disorder ALS.[2] Fully paralyzed except for his eyes, Quan was able to use the EyeWriter to continue his art.[3]
Tempt died on September 1, 2023, at the age of 54.
Quan’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; the Brooklyn Museum; and the Smithsonian Institution. He has also been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Artforum.
Quan‘s death is a loss for the art world and for the city of Los Angeles. He was a pioneer in the graffiti movement, and his work helped to shape the city’s unique street art culture.
He will be remembered for his innovative style, his dedication to his craft, and his indomitable spirit.
