Several first-rate writers have been busy in Bushwick this past week. Here are a few images:
Versatile style master Curve
Veteran NYC writer Wane COD
NYC-based Enue COD
West Coast-based Vizie MSK
Jick in action
Mast in action
West Coast legend Rime MSK
Keep posted to our Facebook page for many more first-rate graff pieces that have recently surfaced in Bushwick.
Photos by Lenny Collado and Lois Stavsky
{ 0 comments }
The walls at the Bushwick Collective continue to showcase a range of masterful artistic expressions. In addition to the wonderful mural featured here earlier by Sheryo & the Yok, an astonishing variety of new works — by local, national and international artists — have found a home here. A sampling follows:
Puerto Rico-native David RIMX Sepulveda
Baltimore-based Billy Mode at work earlier in the month
The final mural by Billy Mode and Chris Stain
Baltimore-based artist Mata Ruda at work
South Carolina-based Patch Whisky
The prolific Fumero
South Africa-based Nard Star
Atlanta-based Trek Matthews
South Carolina-based Ishmael
Keep posted to our Facebook page for the latest news on the Bushwick Collective and for photos of Gaia’s new piece.
Photos by Dani Mozeson, Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky
{ 0 comments }
A self-described “graffiti glass artist,” Zees speaks about his past ventures and his current project.
When did you first get into graffiti?
A little over ten years ago. I was about 10 when I started tagging War. But I needed to change names a few times to avoid the law. Eventually I found Zees.
What got you into it?
I grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, and I always saw graffiti on the highways when we drove anywhere. I liked what I saw.
Who are some of your favorite writers – the ones who inspire you?
The Italian writer, Zin aka Bes, Sen2, Dr. Sex and PK Kid.
Have you any memorable experiences from your early writing days?
I was in sixth grade when I got arrested for writing on a huge sprinkler house in a golf course on Essex County property. It was the first time I ever went on a “graffiti mission!”
What is the riskiest thing you ever did? And why?
Hanging at the end of a cliff on a two-inch platform about 400-500 feet in the air. It’s a prime spot off a highway. That’s why!
How did your mom take all this?
She didn’t like it – but these days she’s really happy with what I’m doing.
Could you tell us a bit about what you are doing these days?
I recycle pieces of mirrors, stained glass and assorted found materials into 3-D graffiti pieces.
That must be quite a process! How do you manage to find such an abundance of mirror and stained glass remnants?
They’re the leftover pieces that surface regularly from my uncle’s business, the Artique Glass Studio, in Glen Rock, New Jersey.
Wow! I’m glad they are getting put to such good use! Have you studied art on a formal level?
No. I’m self-taught. I’ve always been doing art of some kind as long as I can remember. But nothing has been as addictive as graffiti.
How do you feel about the movement of graffiti into galleries?
I think it’s great. Graffiti is a compulsive activity, and it gives us writers something to strive for. It offers talented graffiti writers the chance to get the recognition they deserve.
Any thoughts about the role of the Internet in all this?
I love it. I get to see what everyone else is doing.
How do you spend your time when you are not involved in your current project?
Skateboarding, making music and building stained-glass reptile cages.
What’s ahead?
I’d like to continue what I’m doing – mastering the techniques and producing high-quality work. I look forward, too, to seeing my work in galleries.
Zee’s first solo exhibit opens tomorrow evening, April 23, from 7-10pm at Sapphire Lounge, 249 Eldridge Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Photos by Dani Mozeson and Lois Stavsky
{ 0 comments }
Singapore native Sheryo and Aussie’s the Yok are back in New York City. And that is a cause for celebration! After gracing Long Island City’s 5Pointz with their wondrous whacky characters, they got busy at the Bushwick Collective.
At 5Pointz
Sheryo at the Bushwick Collective on Friday afternoon
Sheryo and the Yok in the early stages of the Bushwick Collective wall
The Yok back at the Bushwick Collective on Saturday
Sheryo back at work on Saturday
The cast of characters — as of late Saturday
Photos by Tara Murray
{ 0 comments }
For years, wheatpastes featuring Jason Mamarella’s iconic Dint Wooer Krsna, along with its many variations, were part of NYC’s visual landscape. Although stickers featuring the eccentric, but lovable, character continue to surface throughout the boroughs, Dint Wooer Krsna, as we’ve come to know him, has largely disappeared. While checking out Jason Mamarella’s current exhibit – ending Saturday evening – at 17 Frost, we had the opportunity to ask him a few questions.
When was Dint Wooer Krsna born?
At about the same time MySpace was born. When I joined, I did not want to reveal my identity. And so I created Dint Wooer Krsna.
So he’s had quite a long run. What happened? It seems that his presence in the streets has certainly diminished.
Definitely. It’s been awhile since I’ve hit the streets with anything other than stickers. I’m older and ready to move on to other things. Besides, the streets no longer call out to me the way they used to. They were far more interesting when I first began hitting them.
What about the artists getting up here in NYC these days? Do any interest you?
Not all that many. I like what Bäst is doing. Other favorites include: Ana Peru, Jos l and Matt Siren.
Any thoughts about the move of street art into galleries?
I have no problem with it. It’s a different experience. What I show in galleries is almost always distinct from what I share on the streets.
What do you see as the role of the artist in society?
It is to present new ideas that aren’t widely accepted.
What’s ahead?
More painting. Collaborations with Street Grapes. Toys. Animation.
Sounds good!
The final viewing of the organization of celestial coincidences by Jason Mamarella is Saturday, March 30, 2013, from 7 to 10 pm with special guests: Dint Wooer Krsna, Street Grapes & Jos-L. Peru Ana Ana Peru will be screening movies in the theater at 17 Frost Street Gallery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. L train to Lorimer. A small number of limited edition books, featuring a wide array of Jason Mamarella’s images, are still available.
Photos by Lois Stavsky
{ 0 comments }
Fueled by their love of art and their passion to promote the art they love, Brian Jerkface and Iman Johnson are busy curating some of NYC’s coolest art events. On a recent visit to their current art show at NoBar at 608 Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn, we had the opportunity learn a bit about the two talented young men and their upcoming projects.
How did this all begin?
Brian: We both love street art and we wanted to share our love with others in alternative settings. It’s great fun, and it’s also a way to help artists, particularly those who work in public spaces, make a living. Only by selling their art can they continue to pursue their passion.
Do you have a formal art education?
Iman: I attended Cooper Union. My degree is in architecture.
Brian: I studied painting and graphic design at the School of Visual Arts.
Have you any favorite artists?
Iman: My all-time favorite artist is the British painter Francis Bacon. I also love Lebbeus Woods, a conceptual architect, who was one of my teachers at Cooper Union. And I love what See One is doing on the streets.
Brian: I love the Cubist style of the Spanish painter Juan Gris. He’s a definite influence on my work. Among those artists who work on the streets, I have many favorites. Among them are: NoseGo, Phetus and Bishop.
What attracted you to street art and graffiti?
Brian: I grew up listening to hip-hop, and I fell in love with graffiti. When I was about 16, I picked up a spray-can. I was also into skateboarding.
Iman: Yes, it was the entire culture that drew us in.
What do you see as the future of street art?
Brian: As it continues to make its mark in both sanctioned and unsanctioned spaces, I see it as getting better and better all the time.
Iman: Yes, it seems to be in an ideal place right now. While becoming more acceptable, it’s still on the edge and is almost certain to remain so. Most of it will continue to push against authority.
Your current art exhibit here at NoBar is wonderful. What is the appeal of this particular setting?
Brian: It’s a wonderful spot, and the neighborhood is easily accessible. We love the mix of people it attracts, and it is street art-friendly. It allows us to feature live painting at our openings – something we both love.
What’s ahead? Any other exhibits coming up at NoBar?
Brian: Yes. Cosbe will be painting live here for our next exhibit on Friday, March 29. And Deps is among the artists we are featuring in our show opening April 26.
That sounds great! What about other venues? Anything else coming up elsewhere?
Brian: We are in the process of curating a skate deck exhibit featuring dozens of artists – including Bishop, Phetus and Col Wallnuts – that will open on April 20th at the Loom Gallery on Flushing Avenue in Bushwick.
Iman: And we have a number of events coming up in Studio J, our Long Island City space – including a group show, a solo show by Phetus and a kids’ class in street art.
Wow! So much happening! How do you get the word out?
Brian: We get the news of our events out on Instagram and Facebook. We also hand out flyers.
Good luck! We are looking forward to your next event!
Photo of Phetus close-up by Lois Stavsky; Jerkface images courtesy of POPUP X NYC
{ 1 comment }
Featuring a wondrous array of sticker art from first-rate handstyles to images of alluring women, SLAP: Adhesives and Egos, a DIY Sticker Exhibition opened this past Wednesday evening at Con Artist Gallery on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Here are some images from the exhibit that continues through April 3 at 119 Ludlow Street.
Shaina
Klops
Serp
And from Wednesday evening’s opening party
Check us out on Facebook next week for more sticker images from the exhibit.
Photos by Dani Mozeson & Lois Stavsky
{ 0 comments }
We love having LNY back in our borough. We’ve missed him. And thanks to Keith Schweitzer and FAB, he’s back! Here are a few images captured form the wondrous wall that he recently fashioned on East Second Street.
LNY in action
The morning after
Close-up with recycled trash bags!
And this past weekend was a special treat for us LNY fans, as his artwork could be seen at the Fountain Art Fair, as well. Here’s a sampling of images — all fashioned on recycled materials:
Photos by Tara Murray
{ 0 comments }
Working with discarded objects he finds on the streets, Bronx-native Michael Cuomo has been busily creating an alternate universe. Central to his cosmos are dozens of masks that he displays in a range of public spaces, engaging curious passersby of all ages. We joined Michael this past Sunday up near Yankee Stadium.
You do magical things with what others have discarded. When did it all begin?
The idea of working with found objects came to me after I took a three-hour class in “drawing with wire” at Bronx Community College back in 2006. I made my first masks with wire. And as I’d always been drawn to objects that others deem useless, I began to search for these objects and gradually incorporate them into my masks.
You certainly have some strange objects integrated into these masks – from car parts to broken toys to old hats. How do you manage to get hold of such a variety?
I find most of them on the streets, and recently friends and neighbors have begun giving me “donations.”
When recycling these materials into masks, do you work with a defined concept of the final product?
Never. It’s an organic process. When the mask is finished, it tells me so. I have dozens of sketchbooks and constantly draw, but I don’t consciously work from my sketches.
What engages you about recycling and working with found objects?
It reminds me that we are all one on this planet. The objects that I find help connect me with others – their original owners and our anscestors. I also feel that by recycling I am – in some small way – helping our planet.
Why have you decided to share your masks with the public out here on the streets?
It’s the best way for me to connect with the people. My art is “for the people” and “by the people.” When strangers see my art and engage with it, they break the monotony of their daily lives. I also like the dialog that it spurs.
Where have you displayed your masks?
I’ve shared them in quite a few public spaces. On 110th Street in East Harlem…in front of the Hayden Planetarium on the Upper West Side…on the 6 train.
What about galleries?
I’ve exhibited them at NYU, Gallery 69, at the Longwood Art Gallery up here in the Bronx, and I have a show coming up later this spring in New Rochelle.
How does your family feel about what you are doing?
They like it, but I can’t say they embrace it!
What do you see as the role of the artist in society?
I see the artist’s role as a transformative one. Art enlightens. My art is an extension of the hip-hop movement that was born here in the Bronx. It is all about empowerment and change.
What’s ahead?
My artworks will continue to evolve and — eventually — will travel the world.
Photos by Lois Stavsky
{ 1 comment }
We returned this week to one of our favorite East Village spots — East First Street off First Avenue — where a once-abandoned trailer now boasts a range of crisp, expressive images. With Cycle 7 now complete, this is what we captured:
Joseph Meloy and Nicholai Khan
The current installation will remain through May. Submissions for Cycle 8 are due by April 1 and can be submitted to Centrefuge@gmail.com, Images of Cycle 7 in progress can be seen here.
Photos by Dani Mozeson & Tara Murray
{ 0 comments }
