Pictured above is a striking photorealistic portrait of the legendary Martha Cooper, painted at the Bushwick Collective by the hugely talented French artist Swed Oner. Several more images of faces that have surfaced in NYC public spaces follow:
From the seemingly simple to the indecipherably intricate, tags continue to flood NYC’s public spaces. While graffiti-hunting across the city, we’ve spotted them everywhere—from metal utility boxes and gates to subway stations and brick walls.
The vertical tag featured above was styled by the prolific and controversy-ridden writer Adek BTM. Several more images of tags captured in NYC follow:
In his latest short film, Street Frames, Colombian filmmaker Juan Gordon pays homage to graffiti, Hip-Hop culture, and Philly-based, Colombia-born multimedia artist José “Busta” Bustamante. The result is a film that is both intriguing and informative, as it draws viewers into Busta’s world — its dualities, its challenges and its rewards. After viewing it, I posed a few questions to Juan:
What inspired you to produce a film spotlighting Jose Bustamante, known to us as Busta? What drew you specifically to Busta?
I’ve known Busta for over 15 years. We met in the streets of Bogotá through skateboarding, and I’ve witnessed his artistic evolution firsthand. In 2024, he invited me to his first solo show in downtown Philadelphia. I accepted, but with a distinct intention: I wanted to document his process, his dualities, his conflicts, and his relationship with the community. While his aerosol work is visually stunning and continues to evolve, it’s his philosophical foundation that truly fascinates me. I’m grateful he opened up in such a raw way to achieve this result.
What were some of the challenges you faced in seeing the project through?
Logistically, there were very few. We filmed in August with perfect weather, and thanks to a great network of collaborators, I had access to everything from secure locations in Kensington to secret spots across Pennsylvania and Jersey. The real challenge was internal: how to capture the profound soul of my subject—the artist, his art, and the complex emotions in between—while maintaining a deep sense of respect for the Hip Hop culture that defines him.
What would you like viewers to take away from this film? Are there any particular messages you hope to convey?
The urgency to create must never die; we must remain in constant motion. Personal and communal conflicts are what keep the world turning—without darkness, there is no light. I want viewers to take these and other questions they can perceive, take them home and reach their own conclusions, applying that creative spark to any aspect of their lives. Movement is life.
How does the graffiti scene in Philly and Trenton differ from the one in your Bogota hometown?
In general terms, they are very similar. You’ll find tags and pieces in the most hidden corners, whether they are “under the radar” works or governmentcommissioned murals. Bogotá, however, is a graffiti city par excellence due to its deep respect for the culture’s constant advancement. The main difference is structural: Bogotá currently has no subway system. Construction began recently, with the opening set for 2028. I’m eager to see how the culture will react to this new architecture—new canvases for paint, music, and film. Evolution is dual: it builds and destroys. simultaneously.
What kind of responses have you received to the film so far?
It has been incredibly positive. Throughout 2025, the film toured festivals, ranging from those focused strictly on Hip Hop cinema to general film festivals where audiences knew nothing about graffiti but were drawn to the story itself. Premiering at the Hip Hop Film Fest in NYC was a major milestone, as was seeing it reach Turkey, Italy, Mexico, Colombia and more. The feedback has been warm and noble; people really connect with the human element behind the art.
What’s next?
I am currently developing a narrative feature film set in a near-future Bogotá. The focus shifts from the walls to the internal movement of the city, exploring human dignity and the weight we carry through life. And yes, it still features a character who can’t help but leave his name on the walls.
How can folks view Street Frames?
After its successful run through the international film festival circuit, it is now available for public viewing on YouTube. You can also see a teaser for it here.
Note: All photos are stills from Street Frames, courtesy of Juan Gordon; interview questions by Lois Stavsky and Tara Murray
The stunning image featured above, “Botanical Plus,” was painted in Hells Kitchen by the Italian muralist Fabio Petani. Created in collaboration with the nonprofit YOURBAN 2030, it was fashioned with Airlite, a special eco-paint that reduces pollotion. Several more images of nature-inspired street art follows:
Featured above is Shepard Fairey‘s tribute to the legendary Beastie Boys. Still looming large over East 14th Street, it was facilitated by the Lisa Project NYC back in 2023. Several more images of guys on NYC walls follow:
An extension of Underhill Walls and just a short walk away, Washington Walls continues to bring intrigue and beauty to a formerly neglected crosswalk in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. The whimsical image featured above was painted by multidisciplinary Brooklyn-based artist Jamia. What follows are a few more murals painted this past fall — all under the curatorial direction of Jeff Beler.
Pictured above is New York–based artist Brandon Sines‘ visual ode to NYC featuring his beloved, magical creation Frank Ape. What follows are several more homages to NYC off and on Houston Street that I captured this past Sunday.
The legendary Bronx-based artist John “Crash” Matos salutes the late Keith Haring in his ode to Downtown NYC. This mural also appears on the walls of the Ridge Hotel directly off East Houston Street.
Close-up of John “Crash” Matos mural featuringthe artist’s signature eye
GRAFSTRACT originator Fumero brings his distinct aesthetic to Avalon Chemists’ on the corner of Houston & 2nd Avenue
Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama‘s “homage to New York’s diversity” on the iconic Bowery Wall
Directly off the Alabama Avenue stop on the J train is an open-air gallery featuring over a dozen wonderfully varied and alluring murals. Under the curatorial direction of Queens Art Collective, the East New York Walls attest to the diversity of urban art — as they range from graffiti to stencil art to portraiture. The sumptuously seductive image featured above was painted by Miami-based Peruvian-American artist Diana Contreras aka DidiRok. Several more images captured last week while visiting these walls follow:
Beautifully crafted and elegantly presented, Appleton‘s new artworks are a powerful and provocative visual meditation on living with diabetes. On view through Sunday at Chelsea’s handsome Sims Contemporary Gallery are works from two new series: “A New Hero Emerges” and “Little Girl Blue.”
The image pictured above, “Son Rise,” — rendered with acrylic paint and mixed media — features the Tin Man, a symbol of perseverance, courage and hope for the artist who has been living with Type 1 diabetes since childhood. Just as the Tin Man can’t live without oil, a diabetic cannot live without insulin. Both carry on!
What follows are several more images captured from both series — “A New Hero Emerges” and “Little Girl Blue” — at this past Thursday’s spirited exhibition opening:
“Toto Has a Day Job,” Acrylic paint, mixed media in museum glass — from the series “A New Hero Emerges”
“The Third Man,” Acrylic paint, mixed media, repurposed oak — from the series “A New Hero Emerges”
“Someone to Watch Over Me,” Acrylic paint and mixed media — from the series “A New Hero Emerges”
“Untitled,” Mixed media — from the series “Little Girl Blue” — with a message to children living with diabetes to be fearless and confident
“Untitled,” Mixed media — from the series “Little Girl Blue”
The artist and activist, Appleton, beneath“Toto Has a Day Job” from his “A New Hero Emerges” series and the stirring mixed media work — pictured above — from his “Little Girl Blue” series
The exhibition featuring these two new series — in addition to several compelling photographs — remains on view through Sunday, November 16 — at Sims Contemporary Gallery. Located at 509 W 23 Street in Chelsea, it is open daily 11-5pm.
Currently on view at the corner of Underhill Avenue and Saint Johns Place is “What’s Your Sign?” — a captivating series of murals celebrating our Zodiac signs. The image featured above, a whimsical mix of all of our astrological signs, was fashioned by Rio de Janeiro-born, Brooklyn-based artist Barbtropolis. A small selection of additional Zodiac murals — painted under the curatorial direction of Jeff Beler — follow:
