Street Artists

Speaking with Danish Graffiti Artist and Muralist Andreas Welin

December 4, 2015

Last month, I had the opportunity to meet up with the young, wonderfully talented Danish artist Andreas Welin while he was painting in Bed-Stuy during his recent visit to NYC.

When and where did you first hit the streets?

I was 18 when I first painted on the streets. It was in my native Sønderborg, a small town in Southern Denmark.

What inspired you to hit the streets?

I was inspired by the art and graffiti that I saw on the streets. And L:Ron, a first generation Danish writer and rapper, helped me get into the graffiti scene.

Any early memories that stand out?

When I was 13 years old, I came upon a parking lot filled with all kinds of graffiti styles. I was amazed!

When you began painting, did you paint on your own? Or were you with a crew?

For four years, I painted with the SBP Sonderbronx Punks graffiti crew.

What about these days? Do you prefer working alone or collaborating with others?

I love collaborating, but I’d rather be commissioned to paint on my own.

Any particularly risky moments?

Bombing is always risky.

How does your family feel about what you are doing?

They love it! My mom is a designer and my father was an artist. Both my parents are supportive.

What percentage of your time is devoted to art?

My mind is always on art. But I paint publicly three to four times a week.

Is art the main source of your income?

Yes…the money I earn from commissions.

How do you feel about the movement of graffiti and street art into galleries and museums?

I think it’s cool. It motivates us artists to further develop our skills, and it gives us exposure.

Why do you suppose graffiti is more respected as an art form in Europe than here in the U.S.?

I think that the European writers have had many more opportunities to develop their skills and take them to another level. Unlike here, there are legal walls and trains in just about every town.

How you feel about the role of the Internet in this scene?

It’s great! It’s an extra advertisement for me, and what I see often inspires me.

Do you have a formal arts education?

I studied Fine Arts for one year.

Are there any particular cultures that have influenced your aesthetic?

I’ve been influenced by the hip-hop culture and by the art I’ve seen while visiting other cities and galleries.

What are some of the other cities you’ve painted in – besides your native town and NYC?

Among the cities I’ve painted in are: Berlin, Lisbon, Toronto, Eindhoven, Roskilde and Copenhagen.

Are you generally satisfied with your work?

I’m usually pretty happy with it. I don’t want to be too satisfied!

How has your artwork evolved in the past few years?

It’s evolved quite a bit. It used to be cartoony. These days my style tends to be more realistic.

What do you see as the role of the artist in society?

It is to beautify a space, while giving people something new to think about.

What’s ahead?

I’m not sure, but I know that I will be painting. And I’d like to return to the NYC and, perhaps, intern with a company like Colossal Media. I want to be able to paint outdoors and support myself as a painter.

Note: photos 1, 2, 5-7 in NYC; 3 in Denmark and 4 collab with Mek in Trenton, NJ

Photos: 1 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 2 Tara Murray; 3, 4 & 7 courtesy of the artist; interview by Lois Stavsky

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The Ever-Evolving stikman at Woodward Gallery on the Lower East Side

December 2, 2015

Featured in Woodward Gallery’s current exhibit Potentia Trium, along with works by Thomas Buildmore and Terence Netter, are over two dozen variations of our beloved stikman. Representing an extraordinary range of imaginative styles and genres fashioned from sundry materials — many recycled — the artworks remain on display through December 22.

One of many on paper, Mixed media

Collage on paper series, with Terence Netter on left and Thomas Buildmore on right rear

Small Concrete Painting, Mixed media

Bird Garden Shelter, Mixed media

Stiks, Stone, Metal, Mixed media

A larger segment of the huge installation in the rear room

Woodward Gallery is located at 133 Eldridge Street between Broome and Delancey Streets. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm and by appointment.

First image: Maybe He Always Looks the Same. but It’s Us that See Him Differently, Close-up, Mixed media

Photo credits: 1-6 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 7 John Woodward

Note: Check here for more of stikman now on view at Woodward Gallery — as captured by Kendall Whitehouse.

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Street Art NYC in Dubai, Part II: Street Nights with Steffi Bow, Dose Art, Ramy Elzaghawy, Edge Nation, Jonny Revs and Has One

December 1, 2015

An urban celebration of art, music and food, Street Nights features some of Dubai’s most active muralists painting live. The following images were captured last week while visiting the Walk At JBR, an inviting outdoor promenade along the beach.

Ramy Elzaghawy at work

Edge Nation crew member at work

Jonny Revs, work in progress

Has One

First image features Steffi Bow and Dose Art

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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Street Art NYC in Dubai, Part I: Ruben Sanchez, Ivana Flores, Myneandyours, Enforce 1, Defs, Sya One and more

November 29, 2015

While at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus last week, I had the opportunity to visit neighboring Dubai. Though slow to embrace street art, Dubai does provide space for a limited selection of graffiti and street art pieces. The following were seen in the Al Quoz Industrial District, home to over 100 art galleries:

Ivana Flores, Myneandyours and Ruben Sanchez

To be identified

Enforce 1 and Defs

Sya One

Note: Although I did not get to see it, a new, huge mural by Ben Eine recently surfaced at the Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. And, also, this past month, pioneering New York street artist Richard Hambleton made his Dubai debut at the French restaurant, La Cantine du Faubourg. A more open attitude towards street art may not be that far away!

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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Audubon Mural Project in Upper Manhattan with: Iena Cruz, Gaia, Hitnes, LNY and Mr. Mustart

November 18, 2015

A collaborative venture between the National Audubon Society and the Gitler & ____ Gallery, the Audubon Mural Project, has brought a series of tantalizing murals of climate-endangered birds to the late John James Audubon’s upper Manhattan neighborhood.

Iena Cruz, Tri-colored Heron, 432 West 163 Street, close-up

Gaia, Endangered Harlem, 1883 Amsterdam Avenue, close-up

Gaia, Endangered Harlem, the complete mural

Hitnis, Fish Crow, 3750 Broadway

LNY, Swallow-tailed Kite, 575 West 155 Street

LNY, Swallow-tailed-Kite, close-up

Mr. Mustart, House Finch, 5 Edward M. Morgan Place

Keep posted to our Facebook page and this blog for many more Audubon Mural Project images.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 4 & 6 Tara Murray; 3, 5, 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky

Note: This blog will be on vacation through Nov 28th. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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1xRUN Production Manager Brian Lacey in Detroit on 1xRUN, Graffiti, Limited Prints and Tag the Jewels

November 11, 2015

Based in Detroi’s Eastern Market district, 1xRUN is the world’s leading publisher of fine art editions for original art. Also host to Detroit’s Inner State Gallery, a world-renowned exhibition space, it works with established and emerging artists throughout the globe. When I stopped by on my recent visit to Detroit, I had the opportunity to speak to 1xRUN Production Manager Brian Lacey.

Can you tell us something about your role as 1xRUN production manager? Just what does your job entail?

I am involved with every step of the printing process. I communicate with the artists, set up files for printing, retouch images, trim prints, create certificates of authenticity and I place orders with vendors.

You are an artist. Is that what attracted you to this particular space?

Yes, as an artist I was drawn to this space. I have a background in graffiti and a degree from the College for Creative Studies, where I studied illustration and fine arts.

Has your experience as a graffiti writer impacted you?

Definitely! Graffiti is a great teacher. I learned a lot from it — on so many levels.

1xRUN collaborates with so many extraordinary artists. How do you select them? Is it a team effort?

Yes! It’s definitely a team effort. We have weekly sessions where a group of us meet to make curatorial decisions. Selections are made by the consensus of us all.

Has your position at 1xRUN presented any personal challenges?

As someone who loves working hands-on, I had to adjust to spending a lot of time in front of a computer. But it’s awesome to be able to look at art all day!

1xRUN is best-known for the first-rate prints it produces. Does it offer anything in addition to prints?

It does offer a number of original works, books and sketches.

binho-print-1xrun

What about the name 1xRUN?

It’s about offering limited editions of outstanding works that run for one time (1X) only. Too many print releases can devalue an artist’s work.

I can see that. I love these images on exhibit in Tag the Jewels. Can you tell us something about this project?

It is a partnership among Run The Jewels, 1xRUN and Mass Appeal. Graffiti artists from around the world created murals celebrating the one year anniversary of Run The Jewels 2 (RTJ2). On exhibit are 20 photos of these murals spanning six continents.

What a great concept! And what an amazing range of art on display throughout this space!

Images:

1. Brian Lacey to the right of his artwork, T002

2. Jesse Kassel and Elmer for Tag the Jewels

3. See One for Tag the Jewels

4. Binho for Tag the Jewels

5. Frop and Muso for Tag the Jewels

Interview and photos by Lois Stavsky

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Writers Block up in the Bronx: Rime, Mastro, Curve, Spot, Yes 1, Uncle Ro, Wen Cod, Rath, Danielle Mastrion, Lexi Bella, Ces and more

November 10, 2015

For the past several days, over two dozen artists — from writers to muralists — have been busily transforming a huge block along Boone Avenue at 174th Street. Here are a few more images that we captured these past two days from Writers Block organized by Wen Cod:

Mastro

Curve

Spot and Acne aka Young Socrates

Yes 1 at work

Nero aka Uncle Ro

Wen Cod, who organized the event, captured at work in the early stages yesterday morning

Rath at work

Danielle Mastrion, Lexi Bella, and Doc TC5 to the far right

Ces checks it out

Note: First image features Jersey Joe aka Rime

Photo credits: 1-4 & 6-9 Lois Stavsky; 5 & 10 Tara Murray

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Lord K2 Turns His Lens on the Streets of NYC with Okuda, Buff Monster, Geobany, GumShoe, Icy and Sot & more

November 9, 2015

A huge fan of Lord K2’s photography and his outstanding book, Street Art Santiago, I was delighted to discover that Lord K2 has also been photographing NYC’s street art and graffiti. During his most recent stopover in NYC, I had the opportunity to speak to him.

Why NYC?

Because it is the epicenter of it all. It is where graffiti was born, and where the best artists from across the globe come to paint.

Any distinct standouts?

Os Gemeos immediately comes to mind. But just about every artist who has painted on the famed Bowery wall is extraordinary. And the L.I.S.A Project, too, has brought so many first-rate artists to Manhattan. My initial focus was just Manhattan because the borough attracts so many outstanding artists.

But you had begun to photograph beyond Manhattan.

Yes. I decided that I did not want to limit myself. And among the sites I’ve photographed outside of Manhattan are the Welling Court Mural Project in Astoria, Queens and the Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn.

Many of your photos are in black and white. Why is that?

Too much color in a book can oversaturate the senses. And when I capture the artists in action, I find that limiting the image to black and white often creates a more satisfying overall portrait.

Any particular inspirations among the photographers out there?

I was definitely inspired by Martha Cooper’s work. And the late Garry Winogrand’s photos of Manhattan have influenced my approach to street photography.

How have the artists you’ve photographed responded to you?

They’ve all been welcoming and warm.

How long have you been working on this project?

I began two years ago Taking my time allows me to photograph the new art works that arise which, in turn, allows me to curate from a larger selection.

You spent a considerable amount of time in South America. What are some of the most striking differences between the street art scene here in NYC and what you experienced there?

I found that in South America the artists generally paint for the love of it. And making a living out of art is a bigger challenge in South America than it is here. In NYC, financial considerations come more into play, as many of the artists have more opportunities to get the attention of gallerists and collectors. Also, in South America lines are blurred between what is legal and what is illegal. There’s a general leniency towards unsanctioned art, while here in NYC painting illegally is quite problematic.

Absolutely! And accessing legal walls can be quite challenging! When can we expect to see you back in NYC?

I plan to return in the summer.

That sounds great! The walls are waiting for you!

Interview by Lois Stavsky; all photos Lord K2

Images: 1. Okuda 2. Buff Monster 3. SweetCrimes 4 .Geobany 5. GumShoe & 6. Icy and Sot

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The Z Garage as Urban Art Museum in Downtown Detroit: How & Nosm, Lucy McLauchlan, Pose & Revok, Saner, Cyrcle and Smash 137

November 6, 2015

Downtown Detroit’s hugely impressive, ten-story parking structure — known as the Z — serves as a canvas for artworks by over two dozen wonderfully talented artists. Like the Belt, it is a collaborative venture between Bedrock and the Library Street Collective. Here are several more close-ups from huge murals that I captured last week:

UK-based Lucy McLauchlan

Pose and Revok, MSK

Mexican artist Saner

LA-based Cyrcle

Swiss artist Smash 137

Note: The first image features a close-up from How & Nosm

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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Street Art NYC in Downtown Detroit’s Belt Alley with: Tristan Eaton, Pose, Hoxxoh, Hush, Shepard Fairey, Vhils and Dave Kinsey

November 4, 2015

Showcasing a range of works by first-rate artists, Downtown Detroit’s Belt Alley is a wondrous open-air gallery. Here are a few more images I captured on my recent visit to the Belt, a collaborative venture between Bedrock Real Estate Services and the Library Street Collective.

Chicago-based Pose, close-up