Zeso

jerkface-street-art-galinksy

Curated by East Village resident Robert Galinsky, the 12C Outdoor Gallery — on Avenue C and East 12th Street — showcases an ever-changing array of murals representing a range of styles and themes. Recent additions include: JerkfaceDaphne ArthurMike Ceeza aka MCA and Zeso.

Jerkface at 12C Outdoor Gallery’s back-to-school block party

jerkface-street-art-east-village-nyc

Daphne Arthur

Daphne-arthur-street-art-galinsky-place-nyc

Mike Ceeza aka MCA at 12C Outdoor Gallery’s back-to-school block party

MCA-street-art-action-galinsky-place-nyc

Zeso, close-up

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Zeso‘s complete mural with the message, Education is a Weapon of Mass Construction

zesoner-galinsky-place-street-art-nyc_edited-1

 Photo credits: 1, 3 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 2 & 4 Tara Murray and 6 Dani Reyes Mozeson

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joel-artista-street-art-Brownsville-NYC

Writing onthe Walls is an ongoing project launched last year by N Carlos J – noted artist, community revitalizer and founder of Brooklyn Is the Future — for his father, a Brownsville native who had been diagnosed with cancer. This is Part II of our continuing documentation of it:

Danish artist Welin

welinoo-street-art-nyc

Brooklyn-based Ben Angotti

ben-angotti-street-art-mural-brownsville-nyc

French artist Zeso, close-up

zeso-street-art- -detail-nyc

Chilean artist Teo Doro

Teo-street-art-mural-nyc

Long Island-based Phetus

Phetus-street-art-brownville-nyc

And you can find out here how you can help support this wonderfully transformative project.

Note: The first image is by Joel Bergner aka Joel Artista.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 4-6 Tara Murray; 3 Lois Stavsky

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This is the 16th in an occasional series of posts featuring images of girls — and women — who grace NYC public spaces:

Dasic Fernandez at the Bushwick Collective

Dasic

William Power in East New York

William-power-street-art-nyc

Toofly in Astoria for the Welling Court Mural Project

toofly-street-art-welling-court-NYC

Jorit Agoch at the Bushwick Collective

Jorit-Agoch-street-art-bushwick-collective

QRST in Bushwick

qrst-street-art-NYC

Tristan Eaton in Little Italy for the LISA Project

tristan-eaton-little-italy-street-art-nyc

Zeso in Astoria for the Welling Court Mural Project

zeso-graffiti-welling-court-NYC

JR in Nolita

JR-public-street-art-NYC

Ananda Nahu in Hunts Point, as seen on this past weekend’s #NYTBronxWalk

Ananda-Nahu-South-Bronx-street-art-NYC

Photo credits:  1, 2, 5, 7 & 9 Lois Stavsky 3, 6  Tara Murray 4 Courtesy Jorit Agoch & 8 Courtesy M18

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T-Kid

This past weekend over 100 artists — including such graffiti legends as T-Kid 170, Cey Adams, Cycle, Claw Money and Part One — transformed the blank white walls of August Martin High School into a dazzling, brilliant canvas. Curatated by Meres One with Marie Cecile Flaegul, the freshly-painted artworks represent a multitude of cultures, sensibilities and styles. While visiting yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to August Martin student, Justin Price.

This is all so amazing! Your school is an absolute wonderland! What inspired this magical change?

The walls in our school were recently painted white. They looked dull and unwelcoming. We wanted to bring color and life to our surroundings, so that we would look forward to coming to school. And we wanted to look at art that we could relate to and that reflected our culture.

Will-Kasso-grafffiti-August-Martin-High-School

Whose concept was this?

August Martin’s Future Project Dream Team surveyed 500 students to find out what change they most wanted in our school. The students’ consensus was that they wanted to change the appearance of the school’s interior.

cey-adams-graffiti-august-martin-high-school

Once you knew what you wanted to do, what were some of the challenges you faced? 

We had to come up with a proposal and a budget. That took us at least a month. Then we had to identify artists who could work with us. That was our biggest challenge until we were introduced to Meres and Marie of 5Pointz.

Zeso-graffiti

How have things been working out since you met them?

Once we met up with Meres and Marie, everything went smoothly. Meres is an amazing artist and knows so many other amazing artists. And I just can’t say enough about Marie! She is so conscientious and caring.

Miss-Zukie-character-art-august-martin-high-school

Most of the students haven’t yet seen the murals. But what kind of response have you gotten from those who have seem them?

They love them. They can’t wait to pose for photos in front of them!

Steve-Lew-art-Gillian-Smith

Part-One-graffiti-august-martin-high-school

And how have the teachers responded to this project? 

Their response has been positive. They know that if the students are happy and motivated, their jobs are easier.

meres-graffiti-art-august-martin-high-school

Reme-graffiti-art-August-martin-high-school

And what about your principal, Ms. Smith?

She’s been 100% behind it. She’s worked hard to make sure that it happens and she has been here with us all weekend.

Remiks-graffiti-See-tf-Portrait-August-Martin-High-School

Why do you suppose there are so many underachievers among the students here?

Many of the students here lack the support systems they need, and they feel easily discouraged.  So many are talented and really love discovering new things.

Cycle-close-up-graffiti-art-August-Martin-High-School

I don’t doubt it!  What are your thoughts about this project and its possible impact?

I love it! It makes me so happy! And I think it will have a great impact on the other students.

sembakkus-graffiti-art-august-martin-high-school

Why is the project called Operation Skittles? I’ve been wondering about that!

Actually, there are two reasons!  Skittles are colorful and this project brings color to our school. And Skittles are the favorite snack of  Syreeta Gates, the Future Project Dream director here at August Martin.

BK-Foxx-art-mural-august-martin-high-school_edited-1

Now that makes sense! How lucky you students at August Martin are to have realized Operation Skittles!

Note: Keep posted to the Street Art NYC Facebook page for more images and for news about an event at August Martin open to the public in early June.

Photos and interview by Lois Stavsky

1. T-Kid 170

2. Will Kasso

3. Cey Adams

4. Zeso and Awez

5, Miss Zukie

6. Kid Lew with August Martin principal Gillian Smith standing to his left

7. Part One

8. Meres One

9. Reme 821

10. Remiks and See TF

11. Cycle

12. Sjembakkus — in from Amsterdam

13. BK Foxx

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In an eclectic range of visual styles and themes, music makes it way to NYC walls. Here  is a small sampling:

Zeso, close-up from huge mural in Bushwick

zeso-close-up

Andre Trenier, lead artist, in the Bronx

andre-collaborative

 Kingbee, Pose2 and Chemis in East Harlem

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MeresSloneSee TFShiroIZK and more in Bushwick

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Close-up

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Manny Vega in East Harlem

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Sonni in Bushwick

Sonni-street-art-NYC

Mike Brown on the Lower East Side

Mike-Brown-street-art-nyc

Unidentified artist in Bedford-Stuyvesant

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Photo credits: 1, 2, 5 – 9 Lois Stavsky; 3 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 4 Tara Murray

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Speaking with Zeso

September 22, 2014

Zeso

We first encountered Zeso’s spectacularly stylish murals at 5Pointz, where he often painted with other TD4 (The Deadly4Mula) crew members. We’ve since seen this talented French artist’s vibrant visuals in a range of both public and private spaces. I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to him:

When did you first become interested in graffiti?

I first became interested in it when I was about 12 or 13. And that’s when I started tagging. But I didn’t seriously start doing graffiti until I was 21.

What inspired you to become serious about it?

I loved what I was seeing on the streets, and I wanted to be a part of it. I also liked challenging myself to see what I could do. I am still doing that.

Zeso

Have you any preferred surfaces?

I prefer flat surfaces, but the environment is very important.

These days — do you work only on legal walls?

I think all walls are legal – if you paint fast enough.

Have you ever exhibited your artwork?

Yes, I’ve shown at 5Pointz in Long Island City, and I was part of the TD4 show at Low Brow Artique in Bushwick.

"Zeso and Meres"

How do you feel about the movement of street art and graffiti into galleries?

I appreciate that museums and galleries are recognizing these art forms. There are some among us who can manage to adapt to this new setting.

Any thoughts about the graffiti and street art divide?

They both appear in the same environment  — the streets. While graffiti is focused on typography and painting techniques, street art is more about images and the message.  I don’t see any reason to compare or divide them.

What about corporations? Would you take on a corporate commission?

Like any project, if I feel good about it, I will do it.

Zeso

Do you prefer working alone or collaborating with others?

I prefer to paint alone with headphones on.

Have you painted with any crews?

I’ve painted with OTM, WF, TD4 and NSA in France.

Have you had a formal art education?

No.  I’m self-taught.

Zeso

What is your ideal working environment?

Outdoors in the sun.

Are there any particular cultures that have influenced your aesthetic?

I love all mythology. All cultures with strong imagery influence my style. But the main ones are Japanese and Latino.

Do you work with a sketch in hand or do you just let it flow?

I almost always freestyle, but, on occasion, I have a sketch with me.

Zeso

Are you generally satisfied with your finished piece?

Rarely 100%.

How has your work evolved through the past few years?

It is more spontaneous, and I tend to use more colors. I have, also, begun developing themes and more characters.

How do you feel about the photographers in the scene?

They are important, because they help promote my work. But I’d rather they didn’t photograph my face.

Zeso-graffiti-truck

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Gustav Klimt is my all-time favorite.  Among the current artists – there are too many to name.

What do you see as the role of the artist in society?

For me it is to stay real and to create.

What’s ahead?

I plan to go big or go home.

Interview conducted by Lois Stavsky; photos 1 and 6 courtesy of Zeso; 2, 5 and 7 by Lois Stavsky; 3 (collaboration with Meres One) and 4 by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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This is the eighth in a series of occasional posts featuring the diverse range of trucks and vans that strike our streets:

Erica

Erica

Cern

Cern

Mast

Mast

Uta

UTA

Urban Animal

"urban animal"

Gano

Gano

Zeso

Zeso

 Photo credits:  1, 2 & 6, Tara Murray; 3, Dani Reyes Mozeson; 4 and 7, Lois Stavsky; 5. Sara C. Mozeson 

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This is the 13th in an occasional series of posts featuring images of girls — and women — who grace our public spaces:

Swoon in Bushwick

Swoon

Bàlu in Inwood

Balu

Jana and Js at the Bushwick Collective

"Jana and Jes"

Damien Mitchell at the Bushwick Collective

"Damien Mitchell"

William Power and Joseph Meloy in the Bronx

"William Powers"

Danielle Mastrion and Lexi Bella at Welling Court

"Daniel Mastrion and Lexi Bella"

Zeso in Garden City

Zeso

Photos of Swoon, Jana & Js, Danielle Mastrion & Lexi Bella by Dani Reyes Mozeson; of Bàlu, Damien Mitchell, William Power & Joseph Meloy by Lois Stavsky; of Zeso courtesy of the artist 

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Zeso

Earlier this year, over a dozen first-rate graffiti writers refashioned Long Island’s Oil City Skate Park. Under the curatorial direction of Zeso and his partner, Nino, the Oil City Skate Park Jam transformed the huge indoor venue into a graffiti wonderland. Here are a few more images that I captured while visiting last Sunday:

Shiro and Yes1

"Shiro and Yes1"

Zeso and Soir 2

"Zeso and Soir"

Skize

Skize

Hoacs

Hoacs

Just

"Just One"

Zimer

Zimer

Zeso

Zeso

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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Zeso and Justone-graffiti-Inwood

One of Upper Manhattan’s gems is the wall on 207th Street and 10th Avenue, directly off the 207th Street stop on the 1 line. Under the direction of South Bronx native Crane, who works up in Inwood, its murals are always changing and always worth checking out. This past Monday, Crane was joined by Zeso1port — in from France — and Just WF aka Just One. Here are some more images captured that day:

Crane at work early in the evening — after a day of work

"Crane graffiti"

1port at work adding his touch to Zeso,’s mural

Zeso-graffiti-and-Import

1port

Import

Just WF

"Just WF"

A source of pride to local businesses and residents, this wall is one of three in Inwood under Crane’s curatorial management.

Photos 1 and 3 by City-as-School intern Travis Hicks; photos 2, 4, and 5 by Lois Stavsky

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