While Kurt Cobain pioneered grunge, Dirt Cobain is pioneering grime. This street artist has adorned buildings with his dreamy technicolor murals for decades.

But Cobain wasn’t always the picture of success. Troubles with drugs and alcohol led the muralist to get help in rehab, where he picked up a whole new addiction.

Join us as we discover how this artist is attempting to reframe how we think about getting high.

Let’s go!

The Story of Dirt Cobain

Dirt Cobain was born in San Jose, California, in the 1980s. His family took frequent trips to San Francisco, where he spent much of his childhood admiring the street art. He knew he wanted to create with the same colorful, in-your-face style as those artists. Finally, at age 15, he began tagging.

One of the artist’s first creations was his moniker. Growing up, his friends called him “Dirty D.” But when he began shopping his art to galleries in Los Angeles, he knew he needed an official name. That’s how Dirt Cobain came to be.

Cobain worked in Los Angeles and the Bay Area before moving to New York in 2017. He’s done several collaborations, held multiple gallery shows, and even started his own merch line with t-shirts and pins.

His work appears in multiple states, including California, New York, Florida, and Texas. You might even recognize his familiar style from a mural in a major city near you.

What Inspires Dirt Cobain’s Art?

Beer bottles, pill bottles, and drug references are everywhere in Dirt Cobain’s work. The artist isn’t shy about his history with drugs and alcohol. He’s very open in interviews about his time in rehab, describing how the programs inspired much of his work.

But the artist’s paintings are deeper than references to addiction. While Cobain’s substance abuse is no longer a problem, he still finds themes and ideas to obsess over. He hopes his work makes viewers think about their own habits and where they find their highs.

What Mediums Does Dirt Cobain Work With?

Most of Dirt Cobain’s work involves spray paint and large-scale public canvases. One of his very first projects was reproducing a painting by Rembrandt in a wing of his high school.

Cobain also works with other mediums, including acrylic paints and fabric canvas. Additionally, he dabbles in 3D materials like wood cutouts and resin. He’ll sometimes paste his pieces onto objects he finds, such as wood pallets.

What is Dirty Style?

Dirty Style is essentially Dirt Cobain’s artistic philosophy. In a Sold Magazine profile, he describes it as being yourself, having fun, and living a “raw and real” life.

Thanks to their place in the counterculture, street artists carry that same raw and real reputation. Cobain’s Dirty Style emphasizes the importance of grime and street culture as a mindset, not just as an aesthetic choice.

Thought-Provoking Pieces by Dirt Cobain

True to his Dirty Style, Cobain’s art is witty and fun. His technicolor bottles, cartoons, and skylines challenge us to think beyond our vices towards something deeper. Here are a few of Dirt Cobain’s most intriguing works.

Prince Tribute

Cobain completed a graffiti tribute to the musician Prince in early 2023. You can find this mural on an exterior wall of the Ridge Hotel in New York’s Lower East Side.

The artist completed the tribute using a serene combination of blue, pink, and purple hues. Prince’s iconic symbol rests on his forehead, giving him an angelic look. It’s a simple but thoughtful homage to the beloved pop star.

New York F’in City

New York F’in City is a collaboration between Dirt Cobain and Outer Source. Look for the mural if you’re on Ludlow Street in New York’s Lower East Side.

This piece features one of Cobain’s signature pill bottles floating in a sea of pink and blue stardust. The dreamy artwork even features a pink galaxy swirl reminiscent of the Milky Way. It’s easy to see that New York is the center of these artists’ shared universe.

U Get Me So High

In some ways, U Get Me So High was the piece that helped Dirt Cobain’s career really take off. The artist created the first draft, a pencil sketch of a pill bottle labeled Drugz n Stuff, in rehab. Since then he’s produced several variations that appear everywhere from canvas paintings in galleries to street murals.

Each variation shares some elements with the others. They all include the pill bottle and its “U Get Me So High” label floating in a field of paint swirls, stencils, and drips. Despite sobriety and the passage of time, you can tell Dirt Cobain still finds plenty of artistic and visual concepts to fiend for.

Where Can I See Dirt Cobain’s Art?

Dirt Cobain’s portfolio is massive. The prolific artist churns out so much artwork it’s challenging to keep up.

Fortunately, Cobain’s Instagram account is a goldmine. He posts new murals, updates, and announcements frequently. This is also one of the best places to see his older work.

The artist’s website is another good way to stay up-to-date with him. It features an online shop where you can buy one of many original pill bottle pieces or a chenille jacket patch.

But if you’re lucky enough to live in or around New York City, viewing Cobain's murals up close is a treat. Most of his Instagram posts mention locations for specific murals. Check out his page, find one you love, and go see it in person!

From the Muse:Visit Dirt Cobain’s Instagram page to check out his Dirty Style artwork.

Experiencing an Artistic Buzz

Sure, Dirt Cobain coined his own unique Dirty Style. But the painter’s work has universal appeal. Many of us know what it’s like to feel obsessed, addicted, or hooked on something, whether literally or metaphorically. For Dirt Cobain, street art and staying true to himself is his current way of experiencing a high.