Continuing our documentation of ILLicit Creatives claiming space on the streets of NYC, this post focuses on the unsanctioned markings that have surfaced on open spaces in Brooklyn. Featured above is Qzar, Son, Flash, Dink and more. Several additional images captured these past few weeks in a range of Brooklyn neighborhoods follow:
Ecal, Abys, Zerz, and Flash
EXR and Werds aka Optimo NYC
Keans and Notice
Post and photos by the Pushing It Forward Collective
{ 0 comments }
Located at 701 Washington Avenue and Clark Place in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, Washington Walls continues to host a wondrously diverse array of murals. We recently visited its current iteration, strikingly curated by community resident and leader Jeff Beler. The ingeniously fashioned mural/installation featured above is the work of Brooklyn-based Humble, who had earlier been immersed in the Richmond, Virgina art scene. What follows are several more images of murals that we captured last week:
Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Vince Ballentine
The passionate painter Natural Eyes and multidisciplinary artist Lisart
Brooklyn-based, Rio de Janeiro-born Barbtropolis
Painter and photographer Luci
Dumbo-based Craig Anthony Miller and veteran writer BC NBA
Classic graffiti artist Rebs
Photo credits: 1 & 7 Tara Murray; 2-6 Lois Stavsky
{ 0 comments }
A new Tats Cru mural at their usual spot on East 2nd Street off Avenue A is always a cause for celebration. And when the legendary British artist Nick Walker joins the talented native Bronx artists, it’s even more festive! The image pictured above features Bio‘s signature heart. Additional images from the newly painted mural follow:
Bio and Nicer with neighborhood passersby
Tats Cru collaboration
And UK native Nick Walker
Photo credits: 1 – 3 Lois Stavsky; 4 & 5 Tara Murray
{ 0 comments }
Currently on view at Kreate Hub is an exuberant exhibition featuring a diverse range of distinctly stylish work by the hugely talented Puerto Rico-born, Bronx-based artist Sen2 Figueroa. With its swooping visual rhythms, striking lines and infectious energy, Sen2’s ever-evolving aesthetic seduces the viewer’s eyes — as it blurs the boundaries between, graffiti, pop art and fine art.
The image featured above was fashioned with mixed media on canvas. Several more images on view in “El Bronx” follow:
From the “X-ray Series,” Mixed media on canvas
From the “Mecanico Series,” Mixed media on canvas
From the “Mecanico Series,” Mixed media on canvas
“Fragile,” Mixed media on canvas
From the “Graffiti Pop Art Series,” mixed media on wood panel
From the “X-ray Series,” Mixed Media on canvas
Located at 15 Canal Place in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx, Kreate Hub is open by appointment, Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Phone: 718.500.4151. “El Bronx,” Sen2 Figueroa‘s first solo exhibition in the Bronx, remains on view through April 12.
Photos: Tara Murray
{ 0 comments }
As we continue our monthly posts of illicit graffiti, we are back to the streets of Queens. Pictured above are: Wevs429, Dase, Oldeath, Angr and South LNE. What follows are several more images of unsanctioned graffiti captured in Queens public spaces:
Tocer and Anso LNE
Kitty and Degrupo
Kempe and Cros
Mer
Gour
Loom
Post and photos by the Pushing It Forward Collective
{ 0 comments }
In 2024, the award-winning creative agency Street Theory‘s multi-year initiative, A Canvas of Culture — under the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture — brought several vibrant, breathtaking murals to various school locations in Boston. The luscious mural featured above “Together, We Rise” — located at the Joyce Kilmer K-8 Lower School in West Roxbury — was painted by Denver-based artist Thomas Evans aka as Detour. Several more images of A Canvas of Culture murals currently gracing Boston Public Schools — all completed this past summer — follow:
Orlando-based Don Rimx, “Garden of Beginnings” and “Roots of Empowerment,” located at the Lee Academy Pilot School in Dorchester
Mexican muralist Israel “Spaik” Guerra Romero, “In Lak’ech Hala Ken – Yo soy tu – tu eres otro yo,” located at Curtis Guild Elementary School in East Boston
Colombian artist Felipe Ortiz, “Umana Rising,” located at Mario Umana Academy in East Boston
Dominican-American artist Silvia Lopez Chavez, “Brilla,” located at Rafael Hernandez K-8 Dual Language School in Roxbury
A Canvas of Culture is currently commissioning several new, original, long-term murals and 2D public art installations at Boston Public School sites across the city. Each project budget will range from $20,000 – $175,000. Specific details and applications are available here and here. The deadline for submissions is February 26, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET.
Photos of 2024 A Canvas of Culture murals by OLP Creative
{ 0 comments }
The entire borough of Manhattan is a mecca of intriguing unsanctioned art. Featured above are the prolific Dzel AIDS, Exr, Hopes and Shie in East Harlem. Several more images of illicit markings captured these past few weeks on the streets of Manhattan follow:
Zoot KYS
Riot AVL
Jet
Ansotto and Schmeng
Post and photos by the Pushing It Forward Collective
{ 0 comments }
I first noticed Carmen Paulino‘s tantalizing talents several years ago when I came upon her distinct yarn-bombing street art in my Upper West Side neighborhood and in East Harlem. I was mesmerized! Carmen is now sharing her scintillating skills, soulful spirit and boundless passion with visitors to Art on the Ave’s Creative Space at 812 Lexington Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. On my recent visit, I had the opportunity to pose a few questions to her at her solo exhibition “Stitch Theory.”
This is so wonderful! How did it happen? What a perfect space for a solo exhibition!
I’d worked with Barbara Anderson, the cofounder of Art on the Ave, back in 2020. Art on the Ave transforms vacant storefronts into galleries, providing us local artists with the opportunity to exhibit and share our artwork, while actively engaging with the community at large. And in the early days of the Covid pandemic, Barbara invited me to participate in a project launched by Art on the Ave in Washington Heights. We continued to stay in contact, and in early November, she invited me share my crocheted artworks at this Lexington Avenue space.
How did you decide what to exhibit?
At the time I was invited, my mind was focused on our natural environment, and I wanted to raise awareness of environmental issues — such as the increase in flooding — that have impacted places dear to me. And so I decided to feature my piece “Let’s Save the Planet,” that had been exhibited at a fiber festival in Brooklyn back in 2019. I also drew on current events — such as the infamous Art Basel banana — and a range of themes that are particularly relevant to me and my community. And, of course, I want to get the message out that “Anything Is Possible,” and that just about anyone — of any age — can learn how to crochet and love doing it.
What has the experience of exhibiting in this space been like for you?
It is a dream come true! It’s mind-blowing and humbling. And it brings me one step closer to my goal of blurring the line between yarn bombing and fine art. I participated last year in the Metropolitan Museum’s MetFest, but that was only for one day. It would be wonderful to see my yarn-bombing, along with the fiber art of other yarn bombers, exhibited inside the museum.
Are there any moments in this particular setting that have stood out to you?
I’ve loved it all. I love interacting with all the folks who pass through. But I especially love when children visit. Earlier this week, a local preschool class of three and four-year olds came by. What a joy watching them interact with my yarn art! They were particularly delighted by my pink cake and thrilled that they were allowed to touch it.
What’s ahead?
As of now, I have several murals coming up, a window I will be decorating, another gallery exhibit I will be hosting and a fashion show I will be working on.
That sounds great! How can folks see this exhibition before it closes on Tuesday?
I will be here at 812 Lexington Avenue — between 62nd-63rd Streets —all day tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky; photos, Lois Stavsky
{ 1 comment }
Continuing our documentation of ILLicit Creatives claiming space on the streets of NYC, this post focuses on the markings that have surfaced on open spaces in Brooklyn. Featured above is the masterly EXR. Several more images captured in the past few weeks in varied Brooklyn neighborhoods follow:
Another view of EXR, along with Flash and Dink
Muk, Toke, Wild Boy West and more to be identified
Angr, Gour and Mile
Glare and Avert
Dink
Post and photos by the Pushing It Forward Collective
{ 0 comments }
Secret Walls “The Art of Competition” made its way back to NYC on Saturday evening, October 26. Jason Naylor, Lamour Supreme, Ross Pino and Jappy Agoncillo were divided into two teams and electrified the wildly enthusiastic audience with their live painting. Special guest judges, along with a decibel meter measuring audience reaction, determined the winner of each battle. By the evening’s end Jappy Agoncillo and Lamour Supreme had beat out Jason Naylor and Ross Pino. Street Art NYC contributor Ana Candelaria was there to capture the action:
Jappy Agonocillo and Lamour Supreme at work
Walls in progress as Jason Naylor and Ross Pino take a brief break
Jason Naylor at work
The winning team, Jappy Agoncillo and Lamour Supreme on the left side of their completed wall
The hugely successful event was held at No Ones Home venue, co-founded by ex US soccer player Kyle Martino. Hosted by Che Anderson with live sounds from local DJ Gianni Lee, the event was provided with support from its tour partners: Monster Energy Ultra, POSCA Paint Markers, Rabble Wine and more.
Photos by Ana Candelaria
{ 0 comments }
