[5] "Acclaimed for his work in the street as a graffiti artist and for his painted installations in galleries, museums and art festivals around the world, Barry McGee crafts a visual language that makes itself understood.

It is public, addressing social concerns of urban life, and very private, elaborating a unique personal style that focuses on humanity, one painstakingly detailed, fine brush-painted image at a time.

Although his artistic origins lie in New York subway graffiti he has been included as a member of the street art movement[citation needed].

Older work included layering of shapes, and buff marks, backgrounds of drips painted directly on the gallery wall.

He has painted stylized portraits on empty bottles of liquor, flattened spray cans, and wrecked vehicles for art shows.

[14] In 2004, as part of an exhibit at San Francisco's City Hall,[15] McGee spray-painted "Smash the State" on the walls of Supervisor Matt Gonzalez's office.

SFGate wrote: "The timing and placement of the artwork are interesting, seeing how City Hall is a registered historical landmark, and you need approval just to hang a bulletin board".