Facilitated by the Galeria de Arte Urbana, or Gallery of Urban Art, a long wall surrounding Lisbon’s Julio de Matos Psychiatric Hospital has evolved into an intriguing open-air gallery, showcasing a range of expressive faces. Pictured above is by Portugese artist Drawing Jesus. Here are several more images captured from this wall that stretches over half a mile:
Also by Drawing Jesus
Brazilian artist Vanessa Rosa
Photo credits: 1 – 4, 6 & 7 Lois Stavsky; 5 Sara C Mozeson
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A renovated industrial complex that how houses some of Lisbon’s coolest shops, design firms and restaurants, the FX Factory is also home to an eclectic collection of first-rate street art. Pictured above is a bee fashioned by Bordalo II from discarded objects. Bordalo II has the following to say about his work: …I belong to a generation that is extremely consumerist, materialist and greedy. With the production of things at its highest, the production of “waste” and unused objects is also at its highest. “Waste” is quoted because of its abstract definition: “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. I create, recreate, assemble and develop ideas with end-of-life material and try to relate it to sustainability, ecological and social awareness.
Here are several other artworks I saw last week while visiting the FX Factory:
French artists Noty & Aroz
Mário Belém, close-up from huge mural
Mariana Dias Coutinho, close-up
MaisMenos, one of his “streetments”
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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With Lamour Supreme’s completed shutter for the legendary Katz’s Deli, the 100 GATES Project has reached its goal of transforming 100 LES shutters into artworks. Produced by the Lower East Side Partnership, the project has been connecting artists with LES businesses through original murals on roll down security gates since the summer of 2014. Beginning today, September 15 through Sunday the 18th, the 100 GATES Project – in coordination with Tiger Beer –invites us to come out for a self-guided walking tour of the gates while enjoying Tiger Beer specials. Pictured above is Lamour Supreme captured at work by travel and street photographer Karin du Maire.
Another of Lamour Supreme, close-up
Houston, corner of Ludlow
And a small sampling of what you will see on your self-guided walking tour:
ASVP, close-up, A. Feibusch Corporation, 27 Allen Street
Hektad, T shirt-express, 15 Orchard Street
For specific information, images and a wonderfully comprehensive documentation of it all, check out 100 GATES Project.
Photo credits: 1-3, Karin du Maire; 4 & 5 Tara Murray
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Under the direction of Centre-fuge Public Art Project co-founder Jonathan Neville, the once drab trailer on the south side of East First Street is continually reinvented. Here are some images from its current transformation:
Staten Island-based Kwue Molly with the Ology Collective — Col, 2ease & Ski
Brooklyn-based Julia Cocuzza with J Mike Kuhn on her left
Check here for information on how you can submit a proposal to paint on the East 1st Street Trailer.
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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Back in 2008, First Street Green converted a derelict building lot at 33 E. 1st Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side into an open art space. In collaboration with NYC Parks and Partnership For Parks, it has successfully incorporated the lot into First Park.
These days, First Street Green provides a wide range of cultural activities and programs in First Park by engaging with artists, architects, cultural groups and community members. It has also become a favorite destination for us street art aficionados, as it has evolved into an intriguing outdoor gallery featuring some of our favorite artists and introducing us to others. Pictured above is a segment of a collaborative mural created during #WeSpyNY, a community workshop conducted by Swiss pop artist Santhori. Here is a small sampling of other works that were seen earlier this month:
Bosnian artist Vedran Misic
Bronx-born, Copenhagen-based artist, musician and activist Peter Missing, close-up of huge mural
Melbourne-based artist Stuart Ringholt
Photo credits:1-4 Lois Stavsky & 5 Tara Murray
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Passionately engaged in promoting the positive values of the cultures of street art, graffiti and hip-hop, the Staten Island-based NYC Arts Cypher is a dynamic ever-evolving venture. For the past few months a host of local, national and international artists have been busily at work preparing for Cypher Fest, NYC Arts Cypher‘s first Annual Street Art Festival. While visiting I had the opportunity to speak to its founder and president, Charlie Balducci aka Charlie B.
When was NYC Arts Cypher born?
It was founded in 2004, and it became an official 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2007.
What spurred you to create it?
It was a way for me to stay involved in all aspects of the arts and entertainment and –- at the same time — engage the community. The realization of it was a dream come true. Of the five boroughs, ours had been the least recognized.
How would you describe its mission?
Its mission is to promote positive values through programs and events related to urban art. NYC Arts Cypher also serves as a networking tool for artists in all five boroughs. And with its open-door policy, it introduces many of our local kids to a range of skills from painting and dancing to acting and producing videos.
What are some of the concerns that NYC Arts Cypher has addressed?
When Amanda Cummings, a local teen, threw herself in front of a bus in 2013, we took on the issue of bullying. And, tragically, the issue of bullying was in the news once again when 13-year-old Staten Island resident Danny Fitzpatrick took his life leaving behind a note that expressed his pain as a victim of bullying. Among other issues we address are: vandalism, drug abuse and conflict-resolution.
Does any particular highlight stand out?
In 2010, we were awarded “best documentary short” at the Staten Island Film Festival for our documentary, M.U.R.A.L
Can you tell us something about it?
Yes. It presents graffiti as an art form – rather than an act of vandalism. It features interviews with a range of people from the youth who are active in our programs to law enforcement officials to such accomplished artists as the members of Tats Cru and Meres of 5Pointz fame.
What are some of the challenges you encounter in overseeing such a multi-faceted space?
Working on sustaining it is the principal challenge, as we continue to expand and offer more programs and networking opportunities.
It seems like a monumental task! How do you do it?
We have support from sponsors like SIBOR, Wheel Concepts and Williams Eye Works. But nothing beats the heart of a volunteer — like Cynthia Valle and Tony Spinelli.
What’s ahead for NYC Arts Cypher?
We are utilizing all our resources to beautify not only our block, but — also — neighboring blocks, as artists from across the globe are now painting alongside local artists. We will continue to engage schools in a range of programs promoting positive values –particularly the Don’t Be a Bully initiative that combats bullying with creativity and Pillz Killz that tackles head on the epidemic of drug abuse plaguing our community. We will also be hosting a pop-up shop and café. And next Sunday, September 10th we will be presenting Cypher Fest, our first Annual Art Festival.
Images
1 Mr. Prvrt & A Visual Bliss with Jorit Agoch at work on the right
3 & 4 Sipros
Photo credits: 1, 2, 4 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 3 Tara Murray; interview with Charlie B conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from 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 remarkable museum, featuring the artwork of dozens of street artists, muralists, graffiti writers and bombers, is underway in the least likely spot –a 300-year-old historic Glen Cove, Long Island mansion. While visiting this designated city landmark last week, I had the chance to speak to Sean Sullivan aka Layer Cake, who is actively engaged in the transformation of this 9000-square foot site that was once home to one of the five founding families of the city of Glen Cove.
This is remarkable? Whose concept was this?
Joe LaPadula — known among us for his fabulous cutting-edge urban art car projects — knew about this site and saw its potential to serve as a platform to introduce his favorite art form to the public.
How did you become involved with it?
I did a Ferrari hood for Joe’s project, and we discovered that we share a similar vision. And then I involved Harris Lobel who has done a great job overseeing the Drip Project in Mount Vernon’s Mes Hall.
This home is the centerpiece of the First City Project – which has also engaged artists in painting in public spaces. What is the goal of this project?
There are many. The First City Project‘s principal goal is introduce the residents of the City of Glen Cove and surrounding communities to the next generation of urban-themed artists.
When did the transformation of this site begin?
The actual painting began on May 2. I was, in fact, the first artist to paint here.
There is such a wildly diverse mix of art here. How were you able to engage such a variety of artists?
At first I reached out to those I know and like. And then it was a matter of word of mouth, as artists connected to one another.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered in seeing this through?
Working with such a varied range of artists with so many different personalities is, in itself, a challenge. But immediate ones that come to mind are: artists not showing up on time; having to stay up far too late and the inevitable politics that comes with it all.
What’s ahead for the First City Project?
Live art events, gallery exhibits, more outdoor mural projects that engage the community — particularly the youth — student art classes and more.
It’s very exciting! Good luck with it all! And we look forward to news about upcoming events.
Images:
1. Phetus
2. Such
3. Reaps
4. Sean Sullivan aka Layer Cake
5. Ellis G
6. Chris RWK, Nite Owl, Zero Productivity and Easy
7. Pase
Photos and interview by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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Noted Brazilian artist Mag Magrela recently spent a month in New York City. In partnership with AnnexB — a company focused on promoting Brazilian art in NYC — Mag Magrela painted several murals in different neighborhoods and presented her first NYC solo exhibit, Pindorama in Flames, at Galeria, a delightful gallery/cafe located at 43 Clinton Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Pictured above is Sem mais. The broken boat: eu tenho sue o pedaço que agora é meu in Long Island City. Here are several more outdoor murals:
“Pequenos atos de contra ataque,” Astoria, Queens with the Welling Court Mural Project
“Dá a cara à tapa,” Bushwick
“A paixão das ancas,” Brooklyn Brush X Mural Project
And from her exhibit Pindorama in Flames, at Galeria featuring works created during her NYC residency:
Linha de frente
“Suadade de sertão encantado” — with figure painted live to the right
“Meu murk” – the artist’s signature performance-installation at Brooklyn Brush, Brooklyn, New York
The exhibit at Galeria — featuring a range of works that address the dichotomy between the ideal Utopian world and the bitter real one — continues through September 15th.
Note: Mag Magrela is a featured artist in Alexandra Henry‘s documentary film Street Heroines.
Photos: 1, 3, 4 & 7 courtesy AnnexB; 2, 5 & 6 Lois Stavsky
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Founded and curated by SinXero, the TAG Public Arts Project — a A 501(c)3 Not for Profit in NY State — continues to bring a wonderfully diverse range of public artworks to the South Central section of the Bronx. Pictured above is a mural recently painted by Baltimore-based artist Nether 410. Here are a few others — fashioned by local, national and international artists — that I came upon this past Friday while exploring the streets on and off Westchester Avenue along the 6 line.
Brooklyn-based Australian artist Damien Mitchell, close-up
Hong Kong-based Italian artist Barlo, close-up
The legendary NYC-based Daze
With Brazilian artists TOZ & BR from the Flesh Beck Crew to his left, close-up
NYC-based Sole Rebel
NYC-based Puerto Rican artist Ralph Serrano
Rochester-based Mr. Prvrt and NYC-based A Visual Bliss, close-up
Photo credits: 1 Courtesy SinXero; 2-8 Lois Stavsky
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Working with a motley range of discarded objects, Yonkers-based interdisciplinary artist Michael Cuomo repurposes them into masks that he calls Heads of State. Exhibited in both outdoor and indoor spaces, his unique sculpture assemblages provoke and entertain. This past week, some of his newest smaller masks made their way onto the Yonkers Waterfront.
Pigskin
Rex
Installation in Progress
A master of neo-primitive folk art in all media, Michael Cuomo recently released a coloring book with his original soulfakes drawings. You can purchase it here.
Photos by Richie DiFrisco
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