Graffiti

Pablo Power & Schoolly D, Philly VS New York: A Declaration of Co-Independence at Okay Space in Williamsburg

March 24, 2017

Currently on view at Okay Space at 281 North 7th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is Philly VS New York: A Declaration of Co-Independence. Featuring works — fashioned both individually and collaboratively — by legendary Philly rapper Schoolly D and New York-based multi-disciplinary visual artist Pablo Power, this exhibit is a follow-up to their 2013 exhibition, Am I Black Enough? Presented by Okay Space and Black Swan Projekt, Philly VS New York: A Declaration of Co-Independence continues through April 1. Pictured above is Gay Science and Joyous Wisdom by Pablo Power. What follows are several more images on display:

Schoolly D, Smoke Some Kill, Ink on paper

Pablo Power, Crack Another 40, A Birthday on Chrystie, Mixed media

Pablo Power, Dekalb Didactic, Mixed media

Schoolly D, Cheeba, Cheeba, Mixed media

Schoolly D and Pablo Power, Philly Vs New York, Giclée Prints, edition of 30. Release and Exhibit Reception Tonight

And on this coming Wednesday evening, a series of short films will be screened:

Photos of images 1-5 by Tara Murray

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Speaking with Joshua Geyer at 4 World Trade Center

March 16, 2017

This past Sunday, we had the opportunity to meet up with Joshua Geyer, one of the curators of the current installation on the 69th floor of 4 World Trade Center. Curious about it all, we posed a few questions to him:

We’ve been seeing more artwork by street artists indoors these past few months — in a wide range of unlikely settings — than on the streets. Whose concept was it to turn this floor into a showcase for street art and graffiti?

Several executives who work in this building had visited the World Trade Gallery awhile back, and they loved the art that was exhibited there. It was their idea to invite street artists to paint on this floor.

And how did you become involved with this project?

Last March, I had curated an exhibit at the World Trade Gallery that featured works by over a dozen street artists. And so I was invited back to work on this project.

Which of these artists did you, personally, engage in this project?

The artists I invited to paint here include: Icy and Sot, Sonni, Cern, Fanakapan, Rubin, Hellbent, Buff Monster, Chris RWK, Jackfox, UR New York, Erasmo and Basil Sema.

How did you decide which ones to invite?

I chose artists I know — whom I’ve worked with in the past — whose art would work in this particular setting.

Did this project present any distinct challenges?

This was the first time I’d ever worked with other curators. That was a definite challenge, as we didn’t all have the same vision, and each one of us worked independently. I generally curate on my own. And when I work with Centre-fuge Public Art Project, every decision is made collaboratively, and we are all pretty much on the same page. But I did learn about different approaches to curating a space and navigating my way through different visions.

Who were some of the other curators?

Among them are: Caitlin Crews, Sean Sullivan and Bobby Grandone

Within the past few weeks, there have been quite a few discussions about the need to financially compensate all artists for work they do within corporate settings. What are your thoughts on this issue?

I absolutely agree. Unfortunately, the art world doesn’t always come through. Creatives can be easily exploited. And if this doesn’t change, we will continue to lose many talented artists. But lots of positive things are happening now in this space.

Can you tell us about that?

Yes. Many students — from local elementary schools to the Parsons School of Design — have visited. They’ve had the opportunity to meet artists and speak to curators, and their response has been great. I look forward to more school visits. And I am hoping, of course, that the artists who painted here will attract clients and gain future opportunities.

How can folks visit this space? Is it ever open to the public?

I will be giving weekly tours. For specific information and to set an appointment, I can be reached at Tower4Arts@gmail.com. I would love to have schools — and art teachers, in particular — reach out to me.

And what about you? What’s ahead for you?

Later this spring I will be joining several artists — including Vexta, Faith47 and Alexis Diaz — on a trip to El Salvador facilitated by the United Nations. I will be doing a photography workshop with kids, and we will be wheat-pasting their photos outdoors. And currently I’m working with No Longer Empty, with plans underway for an exhibit in Brownsville.

That all sounds great! We’re looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

Note: The images featured in this post were among those curated by Joshua Geyer. Keep posted to the StreetArtNYC Facebook page for additional images of artworks in this space.

Images

1 Icy and Sot

2 Josh standing next to Chris RWK

3 Buff Monster, with fragments of Hellbent to the side

4 Cern

5 Fanakapan

6 Jackfox

7 Sonni

Photos & interview by Lois Stavsky

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Spread Art NYC Presents 20 Big Years — an Artistic Tribute to Biggie Smalls — at the Bishop Gallery through Tomorrow

March 11, 2017

Continuing through tomorrow, Sunday, at the Bishop Gallery is 20 Big Years, an artistic tribute to the late Biggie Smalls. Presented by Spread Art NYC, it features works in a range of styles by over a dozen of our favorite local artists. Pictured above is a portrait of Biggie painted by Ben Angotti. Here are several more images from the exhibit:

Danielle De Jesus, Untitled

Danielle Mastrion, Crook from the Brook

OGMillie, Biggie Smalls

Fumero, Grafsfract Biggie

A particular highlight of the exhibit is the collaborative piece by Rocko and Zimer, who had painted the now-iconic Biggie tribute mural on Bedford and Quincy. You can check that one out out — along with over 20 other tribute pieces — through tomorrow at the Bishop Gallery, 916 Bedford Avenue in Bed-Stuy.

Photo credits: 1-5 from 20 Big Years, Tara Murray; 6 Lois Stavsky

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Faces in Wynwood Open Spaces, Part III: Miles Toland, Paola Delfin, Dodo, Cero, Jordan Betten, Juega Siempre & Eduardo Mendieta

March 9, 2017

An incredible variety of faces — representing a range of styles, techniques and sensibilities — make their way onto Wynwood’s walls. Pictured above is by New Mexico-native Miles Toland. Here are several more captured on my recent visit to Miami:

Mexican artist Paola Delfin

Montreal-based Dodo, A’Shop Crew

Cero — Puerto Rican artists Celso González and Roberto Biaggi

South Florida-based Jordan Betten, close-up

Colombian stencil artist Juega Siempre

South Florida-based Eduardo Mendieta

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls 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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First City Project — Historic Glen Cove Mansion Transformed into Graffiti and Street Art Mecca — Opens to the Public

March 2, 2017

The First City Project has been busy at work transforming a historic 9000-square foot Glen Cove, Long Island site into an extraordinary Mecca of street art and graffiti. Curated by Joe LaPadula, Sean Sullivan and Harris Lobel — with the assistance of Brandon Aviles — it opens tonight, Thursday, March 2, to the public. While visiting yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to the projects’s founder Joe LaPadula.

This place is remarkable. You guys are making history! There’s such an amazing mix of styles and genres here. It’s home to some of my favorite artists, as well as others who are new to me. What made you decide to open it to the public on this particular date?

The Glen Cove BID (Business Improvement District) is holding its annual meeting on this date, March 2nd. And as I had recently been nominated to serve on its board, I thought that this space would be an ideal place for the BID to meet on this date. And, then, why not invite the public?

The local residents here seem quite enthusiastic and curious. And as this place is a street art and graffiti aficionado’s dream, many folks are likely to travel into Glen Cove, Long Island from NYC, NJ and beyond. What can visitors expect to experience at this opening?

For the locals and surrounding communities, it will be a new experience. They will be introduced to the next generation of urban-themed artists. And for everyone, it will be a chance to see some great art and meet dozens of talented artists. There will also be a huge variety of refreshments from Sweet Agenda Cafe‘s Dough Donuts to catered Italian meatballs to Garvies Point Brewery‘s craft beer. We will even have a Gorilla Cheese Food Truck on our grounds.

How many artists are included here? It seems that every step I take, I discover someone new!

There are 125, and we are still counting!

What was your greatest challenge in dealing with so many artists with so many different sensibilities?

Placement was the hugest issue.

How can folks visit this space, if they are unable to attend the opening event?

They can contact me or one of the other curators — Sean Sullivan or Harris Lobel.

That sounds great! Good luck with it all.

Images

1 Dain

2 Layer Cake NY

3 Karen Bystedt and Joe Mac LaPadula

4 Rocko

5 Dom

6 Marc Evan

7 Ben Fronckowiak

8 Joe LaPadula, Brandon Aviles, Sean Sullivan and Harris Lobel (left to right)

Photo credits: 1-5, 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 6 Harris Lobel

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BG 183 on The Wall — His New Solo Exhibition at Wall Works NY

February 24, 2017

Opening tomorrow — Saturday evening — and continuing through March 29, BG 183′s new solo exhibit — aptly titled The Wall — is on view at Wall Works NY, a contemporary art gallery in the South Bronx. A brief interview with the legendary artist — one of the founding members of the famed Tats Cru – The Mural Kings — follows:

Your exhibit is titled The Wall. Can you tell us something about the theme of this solo exhibit?

Yes! It’s about bringing images that are on huge walls outside onto canvases inside.

What inspired it?

People would often suggest that I paint on canvas what I paint on the streets. This way they could bring an image of what’s outdoors home with them.

About how many works can we expect to see in the exhibit?

I’ve completed close to 25.

And how can folks meet you?

They should come to the opening — Saturday, the 25th from 5-8 — where they can meet me, take photos and get autographs! Many other artists will also be there!

Congratulations!

Thank you! When Wall Works reached out to me last year to do my own solo show, I felt honored. I hope to see you there!

Interview conducted by Karin du Maire and edited by Lois Stavsky; photos 1 & 3 courtesy Jenny Norberg aka Scratch; 2 & 4 Karin du Maire

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Street Art for Mankind Battles Child Slavery with: Bruno Smoky & Shalak Attack, Mr. Cenz, Mr. Dheo, Victor Ash, Jo Di Bona, Trek6 and more

February 19, 2017

In its mission to shed light on the plight of child workers and raise funds to halt child slavery, Street Art for Mankind — a non-profit public charity that promotes art for social change — has engaged dozens of artists renowned for sharing their talents and visions in public spaces. Pictured above is a huge mural fashioned by Clandestinos currently on view at 7401 NW Miami Ct in Little River, Miami. What follows are several more images — some just seen this past week in Miami and others captured last month in New York City at the closing ceremony for #AtThisAge, the first United Nations exhibit featuring street art.

Clandestinos — Bruno Smoky and Shalak Attack — at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

London-based Mr Cenz, close-up, as seen in Miami

Mr Cenz at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

Portuguese artist Mr. Dheo in Miami

Mr. Dheo at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

Copenhagen-based Victor Ash in Miami

Victor Ash at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

Parisian artist Jo Di Bona in Miami

Jo Di Bona at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

Trek6 in Miami, his home town

And Trek6 educating youngsters on the art of the spray can on the Miami grounds of Street Art for Mankind

The dozens of murals remain on view through tomorrow, Monday, at 7401 NW Miami Ct in Little River. And, also, tomorrow, 70 masterpieces — from 4×4 feet to 40×8 feet — will be be auctioned. Check here for further info about the closing day’s activities and the auction that will raise funds for the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) to help rescue and rehabilitate enslaved children across the world. And there’s much ahead for Street Art for Mankind as exhibits, workshops and auctions are planned for Paris, Sao Paulo, Dubai and Seoul.

Photo credits: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 & 12 Lois Stavsky; 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 Karin du Maire

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls 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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FAAM Presents Major Street Art Auction: Faile, Iena Cruz, Tracy 168, Luis Berros, Abstrk, Speedy Graphito, Banksy & more

February 17, 2017

While visiting Miami’s Design District yesterday, I had the opportunity to preview FAAM‘s sixth edition of its “Major Street Art Auction.” Pictured above is one side of Faile‘s hugely impressive tower. Here are several more images of works that will remain on exhibit through Sunday, with a live auction tomorrow, Saturday evening, at 5PM.

Another view of Faile‘s Tower with Banksy’s Caveman on far right

Federico Massa aka Iena Cruz, Glass Eye, Acrylic on canvas

Tracy 168, Wild Style, Mixed-media on canvas

Luis Berros, Khalo, Mixed media on wood panel

Tats Cru and more, Mixed media with enamel paint on digital photo on five foam core panels

Abstrk, Untitled, spray enamel on wood panel

Speedy Graphito, American Kings, Acrylic on canvas

Flyer with info — featuring Banksy’s Caveman

Photos of artworks 1-7 by Lois Stavsky

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Speaking with JMZ Walls Founder and Curator Alberto Mejia

February 14, 2017

“Helping to make the JMZ lines more colorful one wall, one gate, one space at a time,” JMZ Walls continues to bring a diverse range of first-rate street art and graffiti — by both local and global artists — to South Bushwick. I recently had the opportunity to speak to its founder, Alberto Mejia.

When was JMZ Walls first launched?

In the fall of 2014.

What spurred you to initiate it?

I’d been living in Bushwick – off the JMZ lines – for 20 years. In the past several years, I saw positive changes in in other parts of Bushwick that I didn’t see happening here.

And many of these changes are directly related to the art that had begun surfacing on the streets.

Yes! My vision was to bring street artists, graffiti writers and muralists to my end of Bushwick. And I didn’t think that these genres should be kept separate from one another. Why shouldn’t graffiti writers share space with street artists and muralists?

I agree! And the visual impact of JMZ Walls has been great. How did you go about getting walls for artists?

I know many of the building owners. At first I started asking for gates, and soon the owners were offering walls to me.

Who were some of the first artists to paint for JMZ Walls?

The first piece was by a German graffiti writer, Byond. He was followed by Queen Andrea, Claw Money and Dasic Fernandez. I was inspired by Queen Andrea, in fact, to dedicate an entire block — Lawton Street — to female artists!

How do you decide which artists to include?

I’m interested in giving opportunities to local graffiti artists who haven’t had all that many occasions to paint in legal spots. And I love hosting talented artists from abroad who are seeking a space to paint. I also like giving opportunities to artists who don’t generally paint in public spaces.

Yes! I was introduced to several artists – including BK Foxx – through JMZ Walls. How has the local community responded to JMZ Walls?

Families have been very appreciative, and the kids love the art. I often hear them saying, “That’s cool!” when they pass by.

Yup! You have certainly enlivened this end of Bushwick! It’s worth a ride on the J, M or Z line out here just to see these walls you’ve curated! I’ve done it often! What – would you say – has been your greatest challenge?

My greatest challenge has been financing it. Supplies and paints are expensive, and artists’ budgets are often limited. You can find out here how you can help support us through our recently launched GoFundMe Campaign.

Thank you for all that you’ve done for the community and for all of us street art and graffiti aficionados. We look forward to what’s ahead for JMZ Walls. And good luck with your GoFundMe Campaign.

Images

1. BK Foxx

2. Brazilian artists Thiago Valdi & l7m

3. Rio de Janeiro-based Marcelo Ment

4. Kesta

5. Montreal-based Philippe Mastrocola aka Spraycam

Photo credits: 1 & 2 Tara Murray; 3-5 Lois Stavsky; interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls 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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At the Ironbound Boxing Academy in Newark, New Jersey: Where Boxing, Graffiti and Education Merge

February 13, 2017

Several Newark-based graffiti artists, collectively known as The Artchitectz, have been busily transforming the inside of an abandoned football stadium in Newark into a boxing academy and — soon to be — educational facility. Operating in partnership with the City of Newark, the mission of the Ironbound Boxing Academy is: “Build your skills. Build your brand. Build your future.” On Saturday, February 4^th, the Ironbound Boxing Academy — a component of Ironbound USA, founded by Gary Bloore — hosted an Open House celebrating the completion of phase one. Pictured above is the work of Torch Fuego and Risky. What follows are several more images, captured by Rachel Fawn Alban, providing us with a glimpse into the interior of the Ironbound Boxing Academy.

Torch Fuego