Dain’s intriguing portraits have been part of NYC’s visual landscape for years. Curious about the man behind these beguiling images, we posed a few questions to the Brooklyn-based artist:
We are mesmerized by your portraits that seem to recurrently surface throughout NYC. We just love them. Who are these figures –mostly females — that greet us just about daily?
Thank you for your kind words. They are faces of eyes that speak to me.
Tell us something about the process of creating them.
I usually take the face of a woman and a match it to the body of a man. I mix in collage, spray paint, bright colors and some graff.
What about the dripping eye? We’re not sure what it represents.
I’d rather not say.
And why have you chosen to post your portraits in public spaces?
Unlike many of the massive murals that seem to be popping up like car ads, I still smile when I stumble upon a rusty old door way in the back alley of Chinatown and see some art.
When did you first start getting up?
I started by doing graffiti in grade school.
You are obviously taking risks, as the “authorities” haven’t been too kind these days to those artists who continue to use the streets as a canvas — especially when their work hasn’t been sanctioned. Any thoughts about that?
Not really. I’m adding beauty. I’m also selective about where I put up my work.
Have you a formal art education?
No. If that works for you, you got my blessings.
How do you feel about exhibiting your work in galleries? Your work looks fabulous on just about any surface in any venue.
Thank you again…you are kind I really enjoy bringing a taste of the streets to the galleries.
What’s ahead?
I’m working on a few projects, and I have a couple of shows coming up at the end of this year/early next year…hitting more streets!
Great! We’re looking forward.
Photos by Street Art NYC; all images from NYC streets, except for final one, which is from Leo Kesting Gallery, 2010
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
Could you please email me the website address for Dain’s website?
Thanks very much
Robert
As far as we know, Dain does not have a website.
Hi,
My name is Endy Dain, I´m the owner of a beautiful bookstore, art centre and restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I´m interested in contacting Dain, could you send me his mail?
Thanks so much!
Endy
Hi,
I’m interesting in potentially commissioning Dain to do some work on site- do you have a way I’d be able to contact him?
Thank you!
Kendall
Best way is via his Flickr mail: https://www.flickr.com/photos/22203131@N05/
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