A painting by legendary graffiti artist Fab 5 Freddy is to cross the block at Doyle New York on September 28.

Freddy (aka Fred Brathwaite) is one of New York's most celebrated street artists.

Fab 5 Freddy is an artist, TV presenter and rapper

He shot to underground acclaim during the 1970s for his tribute to Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans - which he painted on a subway car.

He soon became a link between the two art worlds that existed in the city at the time.

Freddy's work was shown in the seminal 1980 Times Square Show.

He came to mainstream attention that same year, after Debbie Harry immortalised him in a line from Blondie's no. 1 hit Rapture: "Fab 5 Freddy told me everybody's fly."

He went on to star as the first host of Yo! MTV Raps in 1988 - the show that spread hip hop around the world.

The painting is titled Tags/ Drawing and dates to 1984. It displays the influence of both abstract expressionism and graffiti, two of New York's most influential movements.

Freddy's role as one of the key innovators of both street art and hip hop means his work regularly sells in the low to mid five-figure range.   

While there's no estimate available for the lot, graffiti has never been more popular at auction.

Recently, a SWAT van painted by British street artist Banksy sold for £218,000 ($293,799).

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