Stickers are having their day! Just about any walk through any of NYC’s five boroughs is certain to delight the sticker aficionados among us. Featured above is the ubiquitous Cheer Up. Several more stickers seen on my meanderings around the streets of the Big Apple follow:
Chris RWK (bottom) collabo w/anonymous artist and another artist to be identified
Doaz and Zero Productivity collabo
Eye Sticker goes blue in Brooklyn!
Roycer and Matt Siren
Photos: Lois Stavsky
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From her strikingly expressive stickers and wheatpastes to her distinctly alluring mural art and paintings, Eye Sticker creates a wonderfully diverse range of visually seductive artworks. I was delighted to recently have the opportunity to interview the talented artist.
When and where did you first get up?
It was in 2020 on the streets of the Village, where I was living at the time. I put up a sticker of an eye. That was the first time I ever shared anything in a public space.
What inspired you to do so?
It was something that I’d always wanted to do. And during the pandemic, I finally had the time to do it. I love street art, and I wanted to be part of the scene.
And why an eye? What inspired that?
Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica inspired it. I was drawn to its eye.
Have you any preferred surfaces?
I love smooth surfaces – as smooth as possible – in high traffic spots. I like hitting the Williamsburg Bridge
Would you rather work with permission or without it when you’re out on the streets?
Without it! I love making art anywhere, but if what I’m doing is legal, it doesn’t feel like street art.
Does any specific work you shared on the streets stand out to you?
My most meaningful one was the Trump troll wheatpaste. I designed it back in 2020. It was the biggest street art piece I’d done to date and getting it out there made me feel like a real street artist.
What about experiences or encounters while getting up? Have you any particularly memorable ones?
Yes! I was about to put up a new piece at Freeman Alley late at night when a homeless woman with luggage approached me. Something about her terrified me. I started to run and she ran after me. I then tried to distract her by pointing to the sky. I said, “Hey, look at that!” She did and I quickly made my escape!
Do you prefer working alone or with others?
I generally like to work alone, but I like collaborating with other artists on stickers. Among the artists I’ve collaborated with are Chris RWK and ButtSup.
Have you exhibited your work in gallery settings? If so, where?
Yes! I’ve exhibited in several places. Among them are: 17 Frost, Artel, All Street, The Glass Box Gallery, 188 Allan Street and One Art Space.
Have you any particular cultural influences?
Urban architecture and urban life, in general, are my biggest influence. I used to work as an architect.
How do you feel about the movement of street art and graffiti into galleries?
I like it! It gives me an opportunity to meet new people who have similar sensibilities.
And have you any feelings — positive or negative — regarding the engagement of graffiti and street artists with the corporate world?
I have no problem at all with it, so long as what is being promoted aligns with my values. It’s great for artists to get to do what they love to do and get paid for it!
How does your family feel about what you are doing?
They’re my biggest fans.
What percentage of your time is devoted to art?
100%. I also work as a designer.
Have you any other avid interests?
Vegan food.
How do you feel about the role of social media in this scene?
I hate that we artists need to engage with it.
Have you a formal art education? If so, do you value it?
Yes. I studied Architecture at Shenkar College in Tel Aviv. And I do value it because it helped me develop a good sense of design.
When you paint murals – as you’ve begun to do recently – do you work with a sketch-in-hand or just let it flow?
I work with a sketch, but I would like to be more spontaneous.
Are you generally satisfied with your finished piece?
Yup! I won’t stop working on it until I am.
How important is commercial success to you at this point in your career?
At this point it isn’t important. Right now my focus is on gaining experience.
Are there any particular challenges that you’ve had to overcome these past few years?
Yes. I was sick with Lyme disease for over two years. It affected every aspect of my life, including my art. It made my art darker.
As an American/Moroccan/Israeli artist, how have the recent events in the Middle East impacted you?
It took me over a month to overcome the initial shock as to what happened in Israel on October 7. My entire body was in a state of shock. And once the reality had set in, I felt I had to get a message out on the streets. Inspired by the kidnapped posters I began seeing taped onto all kinds of surfaces, I designed my own featuring a real baby who had been kidnapped – covered by a strip of tape. I then began posting them in public spaces.
What’s ahead?
More solo shows and more large murals. It’s been wonderful to paint on the streets here in Downtown Brooklyn and to have the opportunity to engage with passersby who have shown me so much love!
Note: You can find out more about Eye Sticker and visit her shop here.
Eye Sticker interview conducted by Lois Stavsky with Rachel Alban and edited by Lois Stavsky
Photo credits: 1. 6, 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 3, 4 & 5 courtesy Eye Sticker
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The following guest post was submitted by street art enthusiast, arts writer and photographer Kristy Calabro
A delightfully versatile and accessible form of artistic expression, sticker art is documented and celebrated in the groundbreaking, AXS Film Fund-winner, “Sticker Movie.” Spanning 23 countries and over 80 artists, “Sticker Movie” offers an intimate glance into this beloved graffiti/street art subculture.
In anticipation of its East Coast premiere this weekend — January 12, 13, and 14 — at Brooklyn Art Haus, I had the opportunity to talk to its director, Will Deloney aka Chilly Willy’s Igloo and producer/writer Sha-Risse Smith aka Agent5Smith.
When did you first come up with the idea of making a documentary on sticker culture?
Will: The idea for “Sticker Movie” started during a serendipitous sticker trade with Sha-Risse Smith aka Agent5Smith. As we chatted, I discovered that she had written a feature film, “Strive,” starring Danny Glover. In pitching the idea of the documentary to her, instantly it became clear – we were the dream team for ““Sticker Movie.” Sha-Risse not only possessed exceptional writing skills, but also proved to be an outstanding producer with an extensive network in the sticker community. Agent and I embarked on a journey that felt truly magical.
Sha-Risse: The idea was swirling around in my head for some time. I knew the work it would take, and I could not do it alone. After trading stickers and vibing over Hendrix, Will messaged me about a collaboration, and I agreed. That was January 3rd, 2021.
What do you think is the main appeal (‘appeel’) of stickers?
Sha-Risse: Stickers appeal to different people for different reasons, but the common factor is that they are low-risk. When getting up, stickers are quick and easy. People are less likely to get caught. But risks can also be financial. Stickers are relatively inexpensive. Someone may not be able to afford a canvas or print, but they can buy a sticker. Artists may not have money for spray paint or supplies, but they can grab a handful of label 228s for free. With stickers, there is less at stake.
Will: First, there’s the nostalgia factor – taking us back to the simpler joys of childhood, getting a gold star sticker for an achievement. I’ve never thought about this until now, but gold stars in video games awarded must have come from that same achievement concept. Also, the compact nature of stickers means artists can transform any surface — bringing creativity to unexpected places. Their accessibility and ease make them the democratic go-to’s of street artists. Collecting and trading stickers fosters a sense of connection and don’t forget their DIY spirit – stickers are the punk rock of the art world: rebellious, personal, and extremely contagious.
Stickers are an escape; they’re therapy, and a way to mark a spot to say, “I was here.” What do you see as the primary advantage of stickers?
Sha-Risse: Stickers are a form of art therapy. When getting up, I exercise, breathe fresh air, and interact with my environment. I often walk for hours around the city putting up stickers and photographing street art. It’s cathartic. The best use of stickers is to simply enjoy them.
Abe Lincoln Jr once said, “Stickers are little bite-sized civil disobedience.” Are stickers the answer to all the capitalist propaganda out there?
Sha-Risse: All street art is the answer to capitalist propaganda. However, stickers are unique. You can put one image in many places fairly quickly. But you can also fit several in one space. Their small size is an advantage. You can send them around the world and get up in places you have never been. Stickers are unmatched when it comes to coverage.
How was it like to experience the “Sticker Movie” premiere in Portland? And why did you choose to show it there first?
Will: From day one, we wanted “Sticker Movie” to be a cinematic experience, and Cinemagic, the magical independent theater in Portland where we screened, was flawless. The city’s vibrant and supportive community of artists, coupled with its thriving street art scene, made it an obvious choice. Portland embraces creativity, and we knew that our film would feel right at home among the eclectic and open-minded residents. Witnessing the genuine enthusiasm was the ultimate reward for the time and energy invested in the documentary. Portland not only hosted our premiere, but it became an integral part of the story we were telling.
Sha-Risse: Overall, my experience in Portland was incredible. There were tears of overwhelming joy and relief. We pulled off three screenings and four events in one weekend. We worked hard. I am grateful to the community of sticker heads and normies who came out to support us. I am thankful for the old and new friends who welcomed me. There was so much love in Portland; I will never forget that experience.
I loved when Slappy says, “When you have stickers, you’re never alone.” Have you any thoughts regarding how stickers bring people together?
Sha-Risse: I encourage others to discover the community organically on their own. Attend a show, make sticker trades, and find individuals you connect with. Do what works for you. Like the art we create, each person’s experience is uniquely theirs. I am not countering Slappy’s line. I wrote it because I believe it. But it is important to know that not everyone’s participation looks the same. That is the beautiful thing about our community. The sticker scene is diverse, and there is something for everyone.
Will: The communal nature of sticker culture is like an unspoken invitation to join a vibrant and inclusive creative tribe. Artists, collectors, photographers, and enthusiasts, drawn together by their love for this pocket-sized art form, share a unique bond that transcends geographical boundaries. The act of trading and sharing stickers becomes a language of its own, connecting individuals who might never have crossed paths otherwise. It’s a beautiful collision of creativity and camaraderie, proving that in the world of stickers, the adhesive that binds us is as strong as the art itself.
Do you want to give shoutouts to anyone who helped make this movie possible?
Sha-Risse: Shoutout to Niceo CM. He supported me throughout this journey, and I want to thank him publicly. Making “Sticker Movie” was challenging, and I vented to Niceo weekly and sometimes daily over the last three years. He listened while motivating me to toughen up and keep going. Also, shout out to Chris Robots Will Kill. He was the first artist to say, Yes, to being in the movie. Without his recommendations and help, we would not have this New York premiere.
Will: I really want to give my shoutout to Agent5Smith. Without her, none of this is possible. She has worked tirelessly with the mantra of “whatever is best for the film.” She has put over three years of her life into this film, and her love and passion for stickers is why we are here. Thank you, Agent. I love you. Also, shoutout to Dazey Phase, our Executive Producers on this journey.
Will there be a Sticker Movie 2?
Sha-Risse: There are some exciting things in the works. Stay tuned!
Produced by Emmy-winning creative studio Pixelated Ideas, it all started with a sicker trade…three years in the making of bringing small stickers to the big screen. When artists see their stickers displayed in diverse communities and in urban spaces, they feel a sense of pride. Connections are fostered locally and globally. Messages and ideas are shared, as mundane objects — like doors, lampposts, and mailboxes — are transformed into mini art galleries. An effective medium for self-expression, stickers, ultimately, unite us, as they bring like-minded people together.
Note: Friday night and Saturday’s screenings are sold out. Tickets can be purchased here for Sunday, January 14, 3 pm matinee, to be followed by a live podcast with City Kitty.
And running concurrently with the movie’s East Coast showing will be an art exhibit at Brooklyn Art Haus curated by SilverTunaStudios.
Note: This guest post was submitted by Kristy Calabro and edited for brevity by Lois Stavsky; all photos courtesy Kristy and Sticker Movie.
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With their intriguing images, graffiti tags and motley messages, street art stickers are increasingly claiming space in just about every NYC neighborhood. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2020, there seems to be, in fact, a proliferation of them – even in those localities with, otherwise, scant graffiti or street art. Featured above is City Kitty’s beloved adventurous cat, seen a while back on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Several more stickers captured in varied NYC locations follow:
Brooklyn-based multimedia artist Alex Itin, as seen awhile back on the Lower East Side
The famed Japanese-American artist Katsu, as seen this past weekend in Soho
Bronx-born Inner Demons in collaboration with Staten Island-based Chris RWK, as seen last week on the Lower East Side
The prolific Brooklyn-based multimedia artist RAE BK — his signature face on translucent sticker paper — as seen this past weekend in Soho
The itinerant graffiti writer/bomber Reader with his now-iconic message, as seen last week in Gowanus, Brooklyn
NYC-based graffiti writer/bomber Suckybat, as seen a while back in Chelsea
LNE crew graffiti writer/bomber South, as seen in Inwood, Manhattan
Note: This post is part of an ongoing series on NYC sticker art — that had been “dormant” for the past several years, and is now being revived!
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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An oasis of motley murals, graffiti art, paste-ups, stickers, tags and bombs. Freeman Alley has it all! The image pictured above was painted by Brooklyn-based artist and curator Miki Mu. Several more images captured on a recent visit follow:
SacSix, crkshnk, City Kitty, OH!, Drecks and more
Bronx-based artist and educator Lola Lovenotes
Brooklyn-based Ecuadorian artist Lasak
Mixed-media artist Drecks
Stealth Art and more
The enigmatic Crash 42170
Bronx-based graffiti and textile artist Mrs
17-year-old Soup 64
Freeman Alley is located at 12 Rivington Street, off the Bowery.
Photos: 1-8 Lois Stavsky; 9 Amelia Cleary
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Wildly passionate and distinctly knowledgeable about about sticker art, DC-based iwillnot has published two celebrated books and has curated five extraordinarily impressive expos on the theme. On my recent visit to DC, I had the opportunity to pose a few questions to him and catch up a bit:
Since you first introduced me to the DC street art sticker scene about 14 years ago, your contributions to the culture have been enormous — expos, books, giveaways and more. What is it about stickers that appeal to you?
I love that they are a quick and easy way to get a message — or simply your name — out there.
Can you tell us something about your name — “iwillnot?” When did you acquire it? And why did you choose it?
I began using iwillnot in 2009. It was a statement of defiance and opposition. I didn’t like what was happening around me. I could not support the direction DC was taking, particularly in terms of its gentrification. And I wasn’t happy with the way my neighborhood was evolving in the name of renovation and development.
You had been pasting, collecting and trading stickers for several years before you conceived of curating your first Street Sticker EXPO at The Fridge DC. What motivated you to launch such a huge project?
It was a natural progression. I, myself, already had amassed a huge collection, and I knew many active sticker artists out there. It was a way to share the art form that I love with so many others and to introduce these artists to a wider audience. Also, the streets in DC had become less hospitable to stickers.
How did you initially get the word out? Over a thousand artists have participated in your Sticker Expos.
At first it was largely word-of-mouth. We were a pretty tight group, Skam, RWK, V0xx Romana…and more. And social media, mainly Instagram and my website, are essential to getting the word out.
Your most recent Street Sticker EXPO took place during the pandemic. Did that present any distinct challenges?
Yes. It was stressful. Among the challenges was receiving and opening packages of stickers while we were all concerned with becoming infected with COVID-19…Just storing the boxes until we opened them was problematic!
Your second book, Unsmashed, features over 1200 colored photographs of stand-alone stickers from artists across the globe. How did you select which stickers to include?
I took one sticker from each pack that I had received for the 2020 Expo. Each of these stickers was then photographed by fellow sticker artist Cheer Up, who also did the layout and design for the book. It evolved into the ideal field guide that can easily connect anyone to the sticker art community.
Yes! It is perfect! What’s ahead?
SMASHED 2.0 is underway. It will cover the last two EXPOs, the showings at the 2020 Outsider Art Fair and Tribeca Art Night in NYC, the execution of the collage portrait and the phenomenon of sticker shows around the world.
What about EXPOs? Any ahead?
In 2023, we will celebrate our 10-year anniversary.
Congratulations! I’m looking forward to that!
Note: Be sure to check out iwillnot’s website to purchase his books and assorted merchandise. And if you’d like to receive a free sticker pack, fill out the form on this page!
All photos courtesy iwillnot; photo 2 features El Toro and Chris RWK collaboration; photo 4 – a collaboration with Mr. Zimbro
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Curious about the face behind the poetic, bright yellow stickers that have increasingly become part of NYC’s visual landscape, I was delighted to meet and speak to the beguiling My Life in Yellow.
We street art aficionados know you as My Life In Yellow. When was My Life in Yellow born?
It was born ten years ago as the name of my blog when I first moved to New York.
Why Yellow?
I was always drawn to the color yellow. It was my grandmother’s favorite color. And when I was in college, my room was blue, while the room next to mine was yellow. The girl who dormed there was always happy, had yellow accessories and always wore the color yellow. The yellow room was so much more inviting and cheerful than mine that I soon began to surround myself with the color yellow.
When did you start slapping your stickers up on the street and why?
Several years ago, I met Thomas OKOK Gunnarsson aka TagsAndThrows. He introduced me to the street art/graffiti world. We walked around the city together as he photographed graffiti. One year later his friend, AllYouSeeIsCrimeInTheCity, a street art photographer based in Sweden, came on a visit to New York City. She gave me my first sticker and encouraged me to write on it. I was going through a difficult break-up at the time, so I wrote “Tell Him How You Feel” on a postal sticker. She slapped it for me in Soho.
What inspired you to keep making stickers and getting them up?
I started getting really positive feedback. And it was a kind of therapy for me as I was going through difficult times. People started to reach out and say things like, “Now I know I’m not alone” and “Me too, omg — I feel this way.” I started to realize how similar we all are in our dark thoughts, what we don’t say out loud. That was the moment I felt, “This is what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Have you any particularly memorable street art experiences?
I spontaneously slapped a sticker on a bridge in Berlin. The sticker read. “Tell Him How You Feel.” A girl nearby noticed it and commented, “A lot of people jump off that bridge.” I hadn’t thought of that! Another time I slapped a sticker on the Manhattan Bridge that said, “It’ll Be Ok.” I did not realize until afterwards that I had slapped it on a suicide/help call box!
Who are some of your favorite sticker artists?
MQ and Token. I appreciate how consistent they are. I see their stickers everywhere!
Are you generally satisfied with your work?
Yes, I slap and I walk. And then when I revisit it, I feel like I’m visiting my child.
How has your street art evolved in the course of these these past five years?
Its intent and tone have stayed the same, but I also wheatpaste now. And I’ve painted directly onto walls–by myself and in collaboration with other artists.
What is your favorite piece that you’ve created?
That’s a tough one! “Once my lover, now my poem.” I find myself writing it a lot.
How long do you usually spend on each sticker?
It comes in spurts. I often write a whole bunch at one time. Sometimes it’s just spontaneous.
What percentage of your time is devoted to art?
Don’t tell my boss, but I think about it all the time.
Have you exhibited your work?
Yes! I’ve exhibited in several local spaces. When I first met Sac Six a few years back. he encouraged me get up on canvas. I still make little canvases — that look like my stickers — that I show and sell in exhibitions. I’ve also created works that don’t resemble my stickers at all. I was recently featured in the Phoenix Rising exhibit at the Gala on 129 Allen Street, where one of my pieces sold.
Where else have your stickers traveled, besides the streets here in NYC?
London, Paris, Trinidad, Sweden, Berlin, LA, Miami. All placers I’ve been to. I prefer to slap stickers myself. There’s something special about it. It’s nice when people offer to slap my stickers up in other places, but I don’t give them out.
You’ve also painted in sanctioned public projects. Do you prefer working legally or illegally?
There’s something magical about pasting stickers up. I like its randomness, but I also enjoy working legally.
How has your family responded to your work on the streets?
They’re entertained by it. My father exhibits his photography. My grandfather was an artist.
Did you ever study art in a formal setting?
No, I’m self taught. I have a BA in business and a degree in Fashion Design from Parsons.
What are some of your other interests?
Spoken word poetry. I’ve performed in various venues. And I recently curated an event to help raise money for the JED Foundation.
Where are you headed? Any recent projects?
I recently collaborated with street art photographer Ana Candelaria. Ana’s photos always make me so happy. I love how she captures my stickers out in the wild: weather-faded, slapped-over and scratched-off. I love her documentation of their deterioration. Her photos really speak to me and I’m looking forward to many more collaborations with Ana. I‘ve also just released a chapbook of my poetry, Despite it all. Where am I headed? I’d like to travel the world, get on stages with my poetry, paint more murals and conduct workshops on the power of words.
That all sounds great! What do you see as the artist’s role in society?
To help people feel something.
Note: You can purchase My Life In Yellow‘s recently-released poetry book together with Ana Candelaria‘s photograph of her iconic sticker as a PHOTO PRINT & CHAPBOOK BUNDLE PRE-SALE here.
Interview conducted and edited for brevity by Lois Stavsky with Ana Candelaria
Photo credits: 1 (featuring Ana’s photograph) – 3, 6, (featuring My Life In Yellow‘ s collaboration with Androi 0i for Underhill Walls 7 & 9 Lois Stavsky; 4, 5, 8, 10 & 11 Ana Candelaria
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The following guest poet is by Lower East Side-based photographer Ana Candelaria
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Baston714 has been making his mark on our streets these past few years with his uniquely intriguing wheatpastes, paste-ups and stickers. By chance, I came upon him while he was painting a mural outside the Second Avenue subway station — one of our favorite street art spots. Soon afterwards, I had the opportunity to interview him:
When did you first discover your love for art?
Both my parents were artists and Pratt graduates. My father was a furniture designer and my mom a shoe designer. So art was always a part of my life. I was always creative and I was always drawing, but I majored in television broadcasting and worked largely in network news as an editor.
Do any early art-related memories stand out? Particularly those that may involve your parents?
One particular memory stands out. When I was five years old, after seeing the movie A Red Balloon, I started drawing red balloons all over my walls at home. My mother didn’t appreciate my efforts and made me wash them all off. I remember, also, my father drawing characters and having me identify them. I’d guess who each one was. My father might have been a fantastic fine artist, but because he had a family to take care of, he never pursued that venue.
What motivated you to hit the streets with your distinct vision?
I didn’t expect to. I had no plans of being a street artist. But once I began to photograph street art, I was hooked. I started creating little drawings and sending them out to the street artists I’d met to get some feedback. The feedback was positive – and, like the street artists I’d befriended, I, too, wanted to share them in a public space. I started putting up stickers about three years ago.
Are there any street artists out there who particularly inspired you when you began to get your work up in public spaces?
Among those who inspired me were: Who is Dirk?, Fumero, Denton Borrows, Phetus 88. and Jeff Henriquez.. I started shooting videos with Who is Dirk?, at night. I loved the idea of being in Chinatown at 3 AM in the morning!
What about your name? How did you come up with Baston714 ?
I lived in the jungle for over five years in Iquitos, Peru — one of the most isolated cities in the world. One of the Shamans — healers — gave me the nickname Baston which means walking stick in Spanish. And I always liked the number combination 714!
Can you tell us something about your now-iconic face?
The face was influenced by other artists and the experiences I had with Shamans while living in the jungle. Painting comes from a very personal space. I had an idea and started fooling around. I like my colors to pop.
Are you generally satisfied with your artwork?
I hate my work until I’m about midway through creating it. About 56% in, I say to myself, “There’s something here.” And then the work starts to talk to me, “Do this! Put something here.” It comes to life.
I first met you while you were working on a wall on Houston Street and 2nd Avenue. Was this your first mural?
No, I’ve painted about five or six walls. Kon Air gave me my first wall in Barcelona. It took me six hours to finish painting it. Fumero, gave me a wall at Art Basel 2018. Spray painting is extremely challenging. I like the challenge, and I would like to paint more walls.
Have you collaborated with any other artists?
Yes, I’ve collaborated with Zimad on stickers. I have also worked with Sinclair the Vandal, Who is Dirk? and Doodlehedz.
Are there any artists out there with whom you’d like to collaborate?
Among those I’d like to collaborate with are: Ratanic, Antennae and Fluidtoons.
Whats ahead?
More wheatpastes and I’d like to work on more walls.
Interview conducted by Ana Candelaria and edited for clarity and brevity by Ana and Lois.
Photo credits: 1, 2 & 5 Ana Candelaria; 3, 4 & 6 Lois Stavsky
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Twenty years ago, Bay Area photojournalist, artist and graffiti/street aficionado Iqvinder Singh published his first zine — and the first graffiti zine to emerge from Oakland. Earlier this year, Iqvinder aptly dedicated an entire issue of his ongoing zine, Suitable 4 Framin’, to Oakland, dividing it into eight distinct sections from East Oakland and the Oakland Museum of Art to the Oakland Terminal Art Gallery and Tags and Throws. What follows is a small sampling of images in a range of media that made their way into Suitable 4 Framin’, Issue #12:
Mark Bode on denim at the Oakland Terminal Gallery
Barry McGee at the Oakland Museum of California
Broke sticker
This All Oakland Issue of Suitable 4 Framing’ is dedicated to the late Oakland graff legend Mike Francisco aka Dream. You can purchase it, along with a few selected back issues of other zines, here. And each zine comes with a varied assortment of stickers and random goodies!
All images courtesy of Iqvinder Singh
Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls 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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A huge sticker fan, I first discovered iwillnot‘s stickers almost a decade ago while combing the streets of DC in search of striking street art. Soon afterwards, I met him and was struck by not only his outstanding aesthetic sensibility, but his huge passion for stickers and its wonderfully democratic collective culture.
In his recently released and hugely popular book, Smashed: The Art of the Sticker Combo, iwillnot shares not only his story, but provides us with tremendous insights into the entire sticker culture.
Intent on trading his stickers with other sticker artists, iwillnot had early on established a network of artists to exchange sticker packs. He was soon installing sticker combos in cities throughout the East Coast. And in 2011, he began to envision “smashing an art gallery in a major city with thousands and thousands of stickers.” Smashed: The Art of the Sticker Combo documents the realization of this dream.
With the support of street art enthusiast and Fridge Gallery founder and curator Alex Goldstein, iwillnot curated a 12.5 feet tall by 20 feet wide 10,000 sticker installation in 2013. By 2016, the entire gallery was smashed with hundreds of thousands of stickers, representing over 500 artists from 15 countries. The 2016 DC Street Sticker Expo reached over three million people.
With dozens of photographs documenting it all, Smashed: The Art of the Sticker Combo is certain to appeal to all of us sticker art fans and street art aficionados. The book can be purchased through Amazon or directly from the author here. And if you would like to participate in this year’s DC Street Sticker Expo, you still can!
All images courtesy iwillnot; the third image features — Foes, Mr Say, Skam, Sore Infest (top) RX Skulls, Obit, Who, and Ride (bottom); book reviewed by Lois Stavsky
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