Graffiti

Centre-fuge-public-art-project

The Centre-fuge Public Art Project has once again refashioned the Department of Transportation trailer on First Street and First Avenue.  Here are a few more images of its latest transformation:

Andy Golub captured at work

"Andy Golub"

Key Detail and Yu Baba collaboration

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The other side of the trailer with Below Key, Leon Rainbow and  Zero Productivity

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Below Key

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 Zero Productivity

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And Never‘s homage to Peter Carroll aka Laser Burners 

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Note: First image features Andy GolubKey Detail with Yu Baba Rez and Rez Shaolin

Photo credits: 1, 2, 4-6 Tara Murray; 3 & 7 Dani Reyes Mozeson

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fathima-mural-art-Jersey-City

Based in Dubai, Fathima Mohiuddin is a visual artist, curator and founder of the creative enterprise The Domino. With an academic background in sociology and studio art, Fathima aka Fats has a particular passion for projects that have social impact. Increasingly, her distinctly beautiful murals have been surfacing on public spaces throughout the globe. I had the opportunity to meet with her on her recent visit to NYC.

What inspired you to get your art up in public spaces?

I’ve always liked big artworks that are larger than life and engulf you. And huge walls allow me to paint on a much larger scale than I could otherwise. I love to use my whole body to paint.  I also love the magic and context of art in public spaces — its social impact and what it lends to the experience of that space. I love how it can affect people and change a community.

fathima-street-art-London

When were you first introduced to the concept of street art?

When I was 17, I moved to Toronto, Canada and experienced a lot of street art for the first time. I worked one summer for Mural Routes, an arts organization committed to improving communities through mural art. As an apprentice, I learned how to paint a mural.

Have you studied art on a formal level?

I did a BA in Art & Culture at the University of Toronto. Then I earned my MA in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London. My Masters dissertation focused on art in public spaces – its ability to connect us with our city, one another and ourselves. I’ve moved quite naturally from inside to outside the gallery space, and I find that outdoor spaces are a far more appropriate context for my work and my values about art.

Fathima- Mohiuddin-paints-street-art-Jordan

In addition to painting in Toronto and Dubai – where you are based – where else have you painted?

I’ve painted in Abu Dhabi and in Muscat, as well. More recently in London, in Ithaca, New York. in Jersey City and in Jordan. Dubai’s scene is young, so we’re still really working on getting public outdoor walls.

You are also a curator and you run your own company, The Domino. Your life clearly revolves around art.  

Yes. When I’m not creating art myself, I work on mobilizing other artists and making creativity accessible and sustainable. And I am intent on encouraging local businesses to use their marketing budgets to support artists and see the gain in working with artists who can provide something fresh and original — which, in turn, supports a creative community that is integral to sociocultural development. I believe very strongly in the value of what artists do, be it social or economic.

Fathima- Mohiuddin-street-art-Jordan

Can you tell us something about the street art scene in Dubai?

It is nothing like here in NYC or in most major cities. We tend to paint on walls we build in backyards and in bars and restaurants — temporary walls built for us at events and for various occasions. Many international artists have been invited to Dubai to paint, but I’d like to see more local artists engaged. It’s a new city that’s developed very fast, and these sort of grassroots movements take time to catch on. But I hope they do. We’re a growing community of artists really pushing for opportunities to give something of what we do to the city we live in. We want to see ourselves reflected in it. It’s a work in progress, but we’ll get there. There’s a strong passion and buzz growing for street art, so I hope it all just blows up, and we see street art taking over the city in a healthy and relevant way.

What are some of the challenges you personally face as an artist in Dubai?

For one, there is no real precedent to street art. But even more of a challenge is living in a place that is incredibly commercially driven. And it is difficult – almost impossible – to access public space to paint. Yes, being an artist in Dubai is financially sustainable, but it’s important to maintain a balance between your commercial work and your personal work. And that can be challenging in such a commercially driven city. And then, of course, it’s tricky convincing people that art is worth money —  more than just money. And we need to really support a platform for a homegrown scene to flourish.

fathima-skateboard-art-Dubai

Hopefully, with artists like you in Dubai, things will change! What’s ahead?

My recent trip to Jordan reminded of the things that I love about art, particularly street art, and how it builds and impacts communities. I haven’t done enough community-oriented work since I left Toronto.  I’ve fallen into a pretty commercial habit myself, and so I’m working on a few proposals for concepts that are more involved with outreach. Let’s see how they go! And, of course, painting painting painting. I’ve painted more this year than I have in years, and it’s a beautiful thing. I would love to continue to be invited to paint in other cities and bring and represent something else of what the Middle East has to offer other than what you see in mainstream media.  So let’s see how it all goes.

Photo credits: 1 Tara Murray, 2 – 5 courtesy of the artist. Photo locations: 1 Jersey City; 2 London; 3-4 Jordan; interview by Lois Stavsky 

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edec1-sticker-art

Opening next month on Wednesday, November 18th is round two of the Con Artist Collective‘s hugely successful ‘slap’ sticker show. While visiting its space at 119 Ludlow Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side earlier this week, I had the chance to speak to Con Artist Collective’s Brian Shevlin.

What prompted you to launch a second round of Slap?

We had gotten such an enthusiastic response to our first sticker art show two years ago. And folks kept on asking us, “When are you doing another Slap show?”

You, yourself, are quite a sticker aficionado. What is the appeal of sticker art to you?

With just a sharpie and a shipping label, anyone can become a street artist. And a handmade sticker is such an intimate object of art! I also love the way the sticker art culture brings together such a wide range of creative people from graffiti writers to fine artists, all of different backgrounds.

Klops_roger2

What would you say is the mission of Slap 2?

We are looking to involve a lot of the artists who didn’t participate in our first Slap show. And this exhibit is our way of celebrating and showing respect to the sticker culture.

How might this next sticker exhibit differ from your first one?

It will differ in scope and scale. We’ve put together an incredible team, with help from Robert Aloia of Outlaw Arts, Hugh Burckhardt and Paul Arbs from Urban Hooker. We are hoping to bring over 500 artists on board. And we will have sticker packs available for purchase.

Kenji-Hirata-sticker-art

How can folks submit stickers to Slap 2?

They are to fill out this form, and then drop off or mail their handmade stickers to: Con Artist Collective, 119 Ludlow Street, New York, New York. They can find additional information on our website.

What is the deadline for submissions?

They have until November 13th.

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 What’s ahead?

We will travel the world! Our first Slap exhibit has already traveled to Sri Lanka and is heading to Singapore and Bangkok. It will continue to travel with new submissions added. And we will, once again, publish a zine.

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What a great opportunity for artists! This sounds wonderful!

Note: The exhibit will open on November 17th with an opening party and end on November 28th with a closing party.

Images of works submitted for Slap 2: 1. Edec1 2. Klops 3. Kenji Hirata 4. Whut

Interview by Lois Stavsky

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ree-and-snow-graffiti-shuaspace

Currently on view at Jersey City’s Shuaspace is Street Level, an exhibit featuring works by a range of artists from Old School graffiti writers to contemporary muralists. While visiting the space this past Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak with its curator, Allison Remy Hall.

What a fun exhibit! It’s such a wonderful mix of styles and genres. How did it all come about? 

When the owners of Shuaspace, Joshua Bisset and Laura Quattrocch, met me at the previous show that I had curated, they invited me to curate in this space. I’d always wanted to curate a graffiti exhibit, and this seemed like the perfect venue and opportunity. I then contacted artists whom I knew, who put me in contact with other artists.

Allison-Remy-Hall-shuaspace-Street-level

Why graffiti? What draws you to graffiti?

I’ve always loved its aesthetic. I love its rawness and spontaneity.

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When and where were you first introduced to it?

My older siblings first introduced me to graffiti. I was about eight years old and living in New Haven at the time. Even as a child, I felt there was something bold and bad about it that appealed to me.

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What — would you say — is the mission of  Street Level?

It’s a celebration of the organic nature of neighborhoods. With gentrification so much of the aesthetics and social dynamics of neighborhoods have been lost.

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What was the experience of curating your first graffiti exhibit like?

It was wonderful! Everyone was so supportive and helpful and generous with their time. It was the most fun of any show I’ve curated!

Note: You can visit  Street Level, at Shuaspace this coming weekend from 1-6pm at 340 Summit Ave, a few blocks from Journal Square in Jersey City. You can also arrange a visit by contacting Alison at aremyh@gmail.com.

Photos by Lois Stavsky

1.  Ree and Snow, painted on gallery wall interspersed with black and white photographs

2. Curator Allison Remy Hall at gallery space

3. Distort and Acropainted on gallery wall interspersed with black and white photographs

4. Mr. Mustart

5. Sam Pullin aka Bedbugspainted on gallery wall interspersed with black and white photographs

Photographers on exhibit: Andrew Blumenthal, Miguel Peralta and Giovani Santoro

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The following post is by Houda Lazrak, a contributor to StreetArtNYC and an M.A. candidate in Museum Studies at NYU:

low-bros-street-art-berlin

Located on the river bank in the Friedrichshain district of Berlin, Urban Spree is a vast multi-purpose creative space dedicated to promoting urban cultures. The walls of its industrial buildings are graced with constantly rotating murals, stencils, wheat pastes, and stickers from a rich array of  local and international artists. 

Here are a few more artworks I saw during a recent visit:

Portuguese artist Bordalo Segundo aka Bordalo II

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London-based Jimmy C

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London-based French artist Zabou

Zabou

Mexican artist Paola Delfin with artist to-be-identified to her right

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Iranian artists Icy and Sot

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Note: The first image features Berlin-based Low Bros

All photos by Houda Lazrak

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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

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Daphne Arthur

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

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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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The following post is by Houda Lazrak, a contributor to StreetArtNYC and an M.A. candidate in Museum Studies at NYU:

alice-pasquini-street-art-rome

San Lorenzo, an up-and-coming art district in Rome, is home to a wide range of street art, including a block-long mural by Italian artist Alice Pasquini and a number of poignant stencils. Here are some of the pieces — many timeworn — that I captured.

French artist C215

C215-street-art-Rome

Unidentified artist — with a message

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Italian artist Solo

Solo-street-art-rome

Unga of the Israeli Broken Fingaz Crew

broken-fingaz-street-art-rome

West Coast-native Above

Above-street-art-Rome

Note: The first image features a segment from Alice Pasquini‘s huge mural painted adjacent to a school.

All photos by Houda Lazrak

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This is the seventh in a series of occasional posts featuring the range of curious characters that have made their way onto NYC open spaces:

London-based Fanakapan at the Bushwick Collective

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French artist Bebar in Brownsville, Brooklyn

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Mexican artist Telleache at the Bushwick Collective

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Pyramid Oracle at Welling Court in Astoria, Queens

pyramid-oracle-street-art-nyc

Mr Nerds at the Bushwick Collective

Mr-nerds-street-art-nyc

Photo credits: 1, 3 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 2 & 4 Tara Murray

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The following post is by Houda Lazrak, a contributor to StreetArtNYC and an M.A. candidate in Museum Studies at NYU: 

Vhils, the Weird and Alaniz-street-art-berlin

Since 1994, YAAM, the Young African Art Market in Berlin, has served a myriad of purposes — from a home away from home for refugees to an open air gallery for graffiti and street artists. The following photos are of works I recently saw in this space that has evolved into a model of social and cultural integration:

The Berlin-based Weird Crew

The-Weird-street-art-Berlin

Close-up

The-weird-street-art-Berlin-close-up

Berlin-based Sokar Uno

Sokar-Uno-street-art-berlin

With German artist Juliah

Sokar-Uno-and- Juliah-street-art-Belrlin

Istanbul-based Gamze Yalcin and Brazilian artist Manoel Quitério

Gamze_Yalcin-and-Manoel-Quiterio-Berlin

Mexican artist Paola Delfin

Paolo-Delfin-street-art-Berlin

Note: Featured in the first image are Vhils, the Weird Crew and Alaniz

All photos by Houda Lazrak

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Brimming with stylish graffiti, witty stencil art and a wonderfully eclectic mix of murals, Bristol has it all!  Here is a small sampling of images that we captured earlier this month:

Bristol-based Sepr

sepr-bristol-street-art

Bristol native Nick Walker

nick-walker-Bristol-stencil-art

Bristol’s legendary Banksy, “Well-Hung Lover”

banksy-well-hung-lover-stencil-art-bristol

Bristol-based Philth and UK artist N4T4

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Bristol-based Jody Thomas

Jody-thomas-bristol-street-art

Bristol-based Epok

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Bristol-based Soker

soker-graffiti-bristol

 Photo credits: 1, 4-7 Tara Murray; 2 & 3 Lois Stavsky

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