This is the sixteenth in a series of occasional posts featuring the diverse range of trucks and vans that strike our streets:
Wane and Queen Andrea
PJ Linden at work for the House of Yes
Photos by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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Home to such projects as 100 Gates and Market Surplus, the streets and venues of Manhattan’s Lower East Side have introduced us to new talents, while showcasing some of NYC’s most prominent graffiti artists and muralists. Artists are now invited to submit ideas for an entire mural — or a segment of it — to be painted on the western façade of Essex Crossing‘s site at 145 Clinton Street that will be home to 107 market-rate apartments and 104 below-market-rate units. Check the Request for Proposals (RFP) for all the details and requirements. You have until December 15th to submit it.
The image featured above was painted by Gera Luz. Here are several more that have surfaced on the Lower East Side within the past year:
Buff Monster for Market Surplus
Photo credit: QuallsBenson
Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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A veteran French graffiti writer, designer and illustrator, Jaek el Diablo shared his talents with us in Jersey City earlier this year, painting several walls in coordination with Green Villain, along with independent commissions. At the time, street and travel photographer Karin du Maire had the opportunity to interview him:
When did you begin doing graffiti?
It’s been about 25 years now since I first started doing graffiti. I began in the early 90’s.
What inspired you at the time?
I was into the skateboard culture back then, and I met many other skaters who were tagging the streets. They exposed me to graffiti, street art, comics and pop culture, in general.
What, would you say, has had the largest impact upon your particular style — both as a graffiti artist and a designer?
Comics! I was always drawing, and the comics I was reading inspired my characters. I think that was the beginning of my story!
How would you define your style? What differentiates it from others?
If I had to define my style, I would describe it as cartoon. I was influenced early on by the Kermits, Disney, Hanna–Barbera… In my work, I try not to reproduce the same thing that I see. I put my own stamp on it! It’s kind of like sampling in hip-hop – a remix of sorts! I see my work as a tribute to some of my favorite characters. It’s always a tribute.
Can you tell us a bit about the difference between French graffiti and the graffiti you’ve seen here while painting in NYC or Jersey City?
I think that back in Europe, we’ve had other influences — such as Mode 2 and the cartoon styles that inspired him. And we have the German graffiti writers whose letters are always evolving. Here in NYC, the writers are very academic; they are Old School academic. Not all — there is Rime MSK and a few guys who are next level. But most NY writers maintain the classic graffiti style. To me, the two books, Spraycan Art and Subway Art, are the Bible, the base. I love being here and discovering the origin of my religion!
What about the future of graffiti? Where do you see it going?
I see more and more big murals, especially tribute murals, and more illustrators doing street art. I see lots and lots of styles, but there will always be a return to the roots of it all – which is graffiti. I see it going in a variety of directions. But, I think, in the future there is no museum. It is only in the streets!
Many walls in NYC are now curated. How do you feel about this trend?
On a positive note, the walls are better and better, because the artists are carefully selected. But it’s also a negative thing. Graffiti was meant to be open to all. If you had a can, the wall was free! But, yes, these curated walls help break down the negative stereotypes of graffiti. And that is good for my art! So maybe that is the future!
Photos by Karin du Maire; interview conducted by Karin du Maire and edited by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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A global art movement connecting world-wide artists with local artists in Ecuador, Fiesta de Colores brought together 25 international, national and local artists to collaborate with the community of Canoa last year. Six months after the earthquake had destroyed much of the Ecuadorian coast and killed hundreds of people, Fiesta de Colores created an outdoor mural gallery of over 30 large-scale murals, while sharing skills and ideas with the community.
This November the project will be expanded with an additional 30 murals, along with a deepening of the partnership with the local high school. It will also be extended to the Amazonian region of Ecuador, where artists and the community will work together to create public art projects and bio-murals to promote environmental awareness.
Tomorrow, September 28, you can support the project by joining Fiesta de Colores, the Public Service Artists Guild, and Chemistry Creative for an evening of art, music, food, spirits and camaraderie. Tickets can be purchased here. If you are unable to attend the fundraiser, but would still like to support these projects, you can donate to its online fundraiser here.
What follows are a few of the many works that will be on exhibit and for sale at tomorrow’s fundraiser:
The event takes place from 7-11PM at Chemistry Creative, 315 Ten Eyck in Williamsburg
Note: The first three photos are from Fiesta de Colores, 2016
1 Don Rimx
3 Don Rimx, Layqa Nuna Yawar and Gera Luz
All images courtesy Kristy McCarthy
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One of the highlights of my recent trip to Philly was my visit to the legendary TATTOOED MOM on South Street. Not only is it a first-rate restaurant and bar, but it is also an extraordinary oasis of creativity and street art. On this past trip, I discovered its overwhelmingly impressive second level. An ever-evolving site that hosts a range of events, it was home — this time — to Characters Welcome 6, its sixth annual international sticker art exhibit. While there, I had the opportunity to speak to its visionary owner and director, Robert Perry.
What an amazing space this is! I was familiar with the downstairs. But this upstairs level is phenomenal! It is the perfect antidote to the — almost aseptic — direction so much of street art is taking. I’m so happy to have discovered it!
Yes! I tend to think of it as a hidden gem!
How long has TATTOOED MOM been around?
It was founded in 1997. This year it is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
And what about its name — TATTOOED MOM? What is its origin? Is it a reference to how welcoming it is to folks of all ages?
It’s actually a reference to a specific person, Kathy “Mom” Hughes, who was a mother to so many — including band members who traveled through Philly.
I noticed downstairs works by Shepard Fairey, Wordsmith and other key street artists. And this upstairs has evolved into an authentic street art museum.
Yes! I see it as an unofficial street art museum — anarchistic and ephemeral in its nature.
I assume, then, there are no official curators.
Yes, it’s all freestyle…uncurated. Everything that happens here is organic.
And I’ve noticed folks of all ages here today, including children.
Yes, children are invited to participate in several of our community-oriented activities. But in the evenings, this space is only open to adults.
I’m loving this sticker show. Philly has always been home to an amazing array of sticker artists.
Yes! It’s our sixth annual one — with contributions from many artists who aren’t local. And dozens of stickers from previous years’ shows remain on the walls.
What’s ahead?
We are constantly changing and evolving. We are always growing and expanding our activities and programs as we make new friends.
It sounds ideal! You’ve created quite a Utopia here!
Special thanks to Alberto of JMZ Walls for introducing me to Robert.
Photos by Lois Stavsky; interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky
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Deeply passionate about street art and graffiti, Green Villain has curated dozens of walls in a range of styles in Jersey City and beyond, including many in NYC. On September 29th, the public is invited to celebrate the launch of Green Villain‘s second volume in an ongoing book series documenting various projects. Vol. II: Mural Program is a 124 page time capsule of the past four years of productions. The mural pictured above was painted in Jersey City by Victor Ving of Greetings Tour in 2015. What follows are several more images of street art and graffiti — featured in the new book — that have surfaced in Jersey City. Specific locations of the artworks are provided in Vol. II: Mural Program.
Zimer, Jersey City, 2016
Rime, Jersey City, 2015
Dmote aka Shank, Jersey City, 2015
Clarence Rich, Jersey City, 2017
Rotterdam-based Eelco, Jersey City, 2014
Austrian artist Nychos, Jersey City, 2016
All are invited to join the Limited Edition Photo Book Launch —
Date: September 29th
Time: 6PM – 10PM
Address: 218 Central Ave, Floor 2, Jersey City
Music: Soul/Funk Vinyl Selections by Open Crates
Catered Food and Beverages by River Horse
The following photographers contributed to Vol. II: Mural Program: Charles A Boyce, Vincent Marchetto, Marek Pagoda, Gregory D. Edgel, Billy Schon, Andrea Riot, Jayne Freeman and William Benzon.
Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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While combing the streets of San Francisco, I was struck by the dozens of intriguing surreal images that grace the city’s visual landscape. Pictured above is the work of the anonymous street painter known simply as BiP. I captured it on my last day in San Francisco, as it was near completion. What follows are several more images — marked by a surreal sensibility — that gripped me:
San Francisco-based Austrian artist Nychos
Also by Nychos
Bay Area-artists: Mars 1 with Damon Soule, NoMe Edonna, David Choong Lee & Oliver Vernon; segment of large mural as seen at dusk
San Francisco-based Lango Oliveira
New Delhi-based Seattle native Jonathan Matas, close-up
San Francisco-based Hyde1 with his distinct Aztec aesthetic
Photos by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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Produced by artist Andrew H. Shirley and featuring members of the classic Brooklyn-based 907 graffiti crew, the widely-acclaimed 32-minute film Wastedland 2, along with a site-specific installation, will make its NYC premiere tomorrow, September 15th, at the Knockdown Center in Maspeth, Queens.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by the spirit animals of graffiti vandals, the film features Wolftits, Avoid, Smells, Rambo, Noxer, EKG, UFO and others, as it raises the existential questions: What is this all about? and Why are we here? Ultimately,Wastedland 2 is a paean to the power of graffiti. Prior to its eagerly-anticipated NYC premiere, Wastedland 2 toured several cities — beginning with Shirley’s native Detroit. What follows are a few photos captured at different sites:
At Recycle Here! in Detroit featuring EKG
At Superchief Gallery in LA — featuring Rambo, UFO and more
At Holland Project’s Serva-Pool space in Reno, Nevada with Wolftits & more
The filmmaker Andrew H. Shirley in Portland
The opening reception of this one-day special event will take place tomorrow, Friday, from 7pm to midnight with screenings at 9pm and 11pm. Music performances will take place throughout the evening.
All photos courtesy Andrew H. Shirley
Photo credits: 1 Phil Conners; 2 William Dunleavy; 3 Tod Seelie; 4 Danny Johnson and 5 Daniel Kruse
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This past Saturday, September 9th, Boston’s new urban playground, Underground at Ink Block, officially opened to the pubic. Earlier in the week, eleven acclaimed artists — both local and national — converged on this distinct space, located under the highway between the city’s South Boston and South End neighborhoods. By week’s end, 100,000 square feet of walls were transformed into a visual wonderland. The mural pictured above was painted by Miami-based Hoxxoh. What follows are several more images of artworks — some captured in progress — that have made their way onto Underground at Ink Block.
The legendary NYC-based Cey Adams at work
Los Angeles-based Vyal Reyes aka Vyal One
Boston-based Percy Forting-Wright
Boston-based Sneha Shrestha aka Imagine
Los Angeles-based Pen Taylor aka Upendo
Curated by Street Theory Gallery, The Underground Mural Project is powered by Reebok in partnership with National Development.
Photos: Above the Sky, ATS Photography
Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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Once again, Union Street Park’s magical walls in Hackensack, NJ have been transformed. Pictured above is Washington Heights graffiti legend Totem. Several of these featured images were captured during Rozzy Ken Roz‘s birthday celebration — hosted by Darrius-Jabbar Sollas — two weeks ago. Others were taken when we revisited Union Street Park this past Wednesday.
The superb Sade TCM
Bronx-based Ricky Montalvo aka Soze527
Flite (L) and Rocky 184 & Gem 13 Collabo
Classic writer Wore IBM at work
The legendary Seen TC5
Graffiti pioneer Part One
Wide view with celebration under way
Photo credits: 1, 4, 5 & 8 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 2, 3, 6 & 7 Lois Stavsky
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