Within the last month ArtBattles local champion, Cernesto, and European ArtBattles champ, El Niño de Las Pinturas, have painted — to our delight — huge murals in the East Village and in Soho.
Cern‘s completed mural in the East Village
El Niño de Las Pinturas, completed mural in the East Village
El Niño de Las Pinturas, close-up in the East Village
Cern in Soho
El Niño de Las Pinturas in Soho
Photos: 1-3 & 5-6 Tara Murray; 4 Lois Stavsky
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Committed to healing and transforming communities by beautifying the urban landscape, Wall\Therapy has brought dozens of magical murals to Rochester, New York. Here are a few we discovered on our brief stopover last week:
Montreal-based Omen
Italian artist Peeta
West Coast-based Troy Lovegates aka Other
Tel Aviv-based Know Hope
Rochester’s own Mr Prvrt
West Coast-based Sam Rodriguez
Brazilian artist Binho
And kicking off this Friday, July 17, is WALL\THERAPY 2015 featuring an extraordinary array of artists including NYC-based Li-Hill, Vexta and Daze.
Photos: 1,2, 4-6 Lois Stavsky; 3 & 7 Sara C Mozeson
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With its extraordinary array of wonderful artworks crossing styles, genres and cultures, Rochester’s abandoned subway tunnel is a graffiti hunter’s dream. Here’s a small sampling of what we saw last weekend, while making a few stops in Upstate New York:
Brazilian artist Eder Muniz
Chris Pape aka Freedom and Taro AAK
Special thanks to Fresh Paint NYC for introducing us to this space.
Photos: 1 with segment of Roa piece, 3 & 4 Sara C Mozeson; 2, 5 – 7 Lois Stavsky
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Busy last week in the lovely backyard garden of SoHo’s Henley Vaporium were Gilf! and LMNOPi — two Brooklyn-based activist artists — collaborating on a mural in tribute to Kalief Browder. When we stopped by, I had the chance to speak to Gilf!
It’s wonderful to see the two of you working together. How did this collaboration come to be?
When Kimyon Huggins, the curator of the Secret Garden Series, hit me up to paint a mural, I immediately thought of LMNOPi.
Yes, it seems like such a natural collaboration. How did you decide on the subject of this mural?
My work has recently focused on the kinds of issues and injustices related to the case of Kalief Browder. And since LMNOPi is such a wonderful portrait painter with a strong social and political consciousness, I thought we would work well together.
What — would you say — is the intent of your art?
The only reason I make art is to change the world.
And what is it about Kalief Browder‘s story that has triggered your work?
What happened to Kalief is, sadly, not unique. And it is outrageous. Yet, many people aren’t aware of these kinds of widespread injustices. Kalief was incarcerated at Rikers Island at age 16 for three years for a crime he never committed. Two of those three years were spent in solitary confinement. Eventually his case was dismissed. This past June, Kalief Browder committed suicide by hanging himself.
What would you like people who see the mural that you have fashioned with LMNOPi walk away with?
I would like them to question what happened and demand justice.
Yes, what happened to Kalief is such a blatant, horrific injustice. We certainly need to raise awareness of the need for radical change within our prison system.
Note: The mural will be unveiled this Saturday, July 11, at Henley Vaporium‘s backyard garden at 23 Cleveland Place, between Spring and Kenmare Streets, in Soho. The event is free and open to the public — with a BBQ and DJs — from 2-10pm. There will be a Q+A with the artists and curator at 7:30 pm.
Interview with Gilf! conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky.
Photos: 1 & 3 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 2 & 4 Tara Murray
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Featuring over two dozen beautifully-executed murals representing a diverse range of artistic styles, Coney Art Walls is a cause for celebration. Here are a few images captured this weekend.
Tatyana Fazlalizadeh pays homage to the long-time residents of Coney Island
Roa, close-up
Curated by Jeffrey Deitch, Coney Art Walls is located at 1320 Bowery Street off Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island. And on Sundays — through September 6 — a curated summer music series and dance party happening takes place from 5pm – 11pm.
Note: First image is of mural by Lady Aiko. Keep posted to the StreetArtNYC Facebook page for many more photos of Coney Art Walls.
All photos by Lois Stavsky
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Currently gracing the walls of Graffiti Universe up in the Bronx is a range of styles from photorealistic portraiture to stylish graffiti. Here is a sampling of the work fashioned by both international and regional artists:
Italian artist Jorit does the legendary TAKI 183
Vins and Signl, EOS
Norwegian artist Stay One, KD
Graffiti Universe is located at 2995 Boston Road in the Allerton section of the East Bronx.
Note: First image is by London-based Trans1
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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Green Villain‘s Demolition Exhibition — the brainchild of Greg Edgell aka Green Villian — has it all! With everything from stylish tags to captivating characters to first-rate pieces, it is a graffiti lover’s wonderland. Just minutes away from Downtown Manhattan, it is located at 410 Marin Boulevard, a short wall from Newport Mall. Here are a few more images I captured in the interior of the former Jersey City Pep Boys Auto Store while visiting Monday evening.
Curve and Mr. Mustart
The prodigious Evikt
Mes, Themo, Distoart and Kingbee
This amazing feat — coordinated with dozens of artists and community members — was accomplished in partnership with real-estate developers Forest City Enterprises and G&S Investors. Through this weekend, you can visit the space any day from 12-8pm.
First image is Knows aka Wane; all photos by Lois Stavsky
Note: Check out StreetArtNYC on Instagram for more photos of images from Demolition Exhibition, and keep posted to our Facebook page, as well.
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For over three decades Bronx native Just One has been making his mark on NYC public and private spaces. We recently had the opportunity to speak to the prolific artist.
When did you first get up? And where?
It was back in 1984 — over 30 years ago — in the West Farms section of the Bronx. I was 14 at the time.
What inspired you to do so?
My older brother and his friends were all doing it. It was the natural thing to do.
Any early memories that stand out?
I was at a handball court in Crotona Park when the spray can I was holding in my hand almost burst into flames.
How did that happen?
It came into contact with a cigarette lighter, and could have easily blown up.
We’re glad it didn’t! We’ve noticed your work in quite a few projects these days – from JMZ Walls in Bushwick, Brooklyn to Operation Skittles at August Martin High School in Jamaica, Queens. Do you prefer legal or illegal surfaces?
I love painting anywhere – but to experience the full essence of graffiti, there is nothing like painting on a surface I discover on my own. Finding a space, being there alone and creating something out of nothing is the ultimate experience.
Have you ever been arrested for graffiti?
No!
How’s that?
I have good instincts.
What was the riskiest graffiti-related thing you’ve ever done? And why did you do it?
Hitting an elevated abandoned train line, where I had to hop over each wall to do another letter. Why did I do it? I’d been eyeballing that spot for quite awhile and nobody else took it, so I’d figure I’d take my chance. And, yes, it was worth it!
How does your family feel about what you are doing?
My children love it!
What percentage of your day is devoted to your art these days?
About 70%.
What keeps you painting after all these years?
Passion and the adrenalin rush! It also relieves my stress.
Any thoughts on the graffiti/ street art divide?
I, myself, prefer the movement and flow of graffiti. But art is art. And street art can be beautiful.
How do you feel about the movement of graffiti and street art into galleries? Have you shown your work in galleries?
I don’t have a problem with that. It’s a good thing! I’ve shown at the Jeffrey Leder Gallery in Long Island City and in bars and other alternative spaces around town.
Do you prefer working alone or collaborating with others?
Both.
Is there anyone in particular you would like to collaborate with?
I’d like to paint with Mitch 77, Jamie Hef and Lee Quinones.
Do you rep any crews?
TMC, TFO, KD, COA and I’m the prez of WF, World Famous Crew.
How you feel about the role of the Internet in this scene?
It can be too much. When it gets too much into your business, it’s bad.
Do you have a formal arts education?
I’m self-taught, but my teachers always encouraged me to draw.
Do you work with a sketch in your hand or do you let it flow?
I freestyle.
Are you generally satisfied with your work?
Most of the time!
How has your work evolved in the past few years?
It’s sharper and neater. And I work much faster.
What do you see as the role of the artist in society?
To inspire others to express themselves.
How do you feel about the photographers in this scene?
The more exposure our works get, the better for us.
What do you see as the future of graffiti? Where is it going?
It will continue to evolve.
And what about you? What’s ahead for you?
I plan to keep painting. And I want to get back into the canvas scene and hopefully — sometime soon — do a solo show.
Interview by Lois Stavsky with City-As-School intern Diana Davidova; photos: 1, 3-5 courtesy of Just; 2 & 6 (with Awez) Lois Stavsky
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Colorado-based painter and stencil artist Amanda Marie has brought her alluring storybook characters to the streets of NYC and to the Quin Hotel.
At work at 12C Outdoor Gallery, on 12th Street and Avenue C
Completed mural at 12C Outdoor Gallery
Outside the Quin Hotel, as seen at night
And from, Good Story, her tantalizing exhibit of mixed-media works — whose titles suggest a somewhat subversive facet to her presumably innocent storybook characters — inside the Quin Hotel:
Drinking Partners
We Are Doing This Our Way
Bird-Riders, close-up
Curated by Hyland Mather and DK Johnston, Good Story remains on exhibit through mid-summer inside the Quin Hotel at 101 West 57th Street at Sixth Avenue.
Note: First image is at Welling Court in Astoria, Queens
Photos: 1, 4-6 Lois Stavsky; 2 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 3 & 7 Tara Murray
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The Centrefuge Public Art Project made its way to Staten Island this past spring, bringing color and intrigue to Wave Street off Bay, a short walk from the ferry. Among the works are these:
ChrisRWK and Kwue Molly
And great news — especially for us Manhattanites — is that the Centrefuge Public Art Project‘s 17th cycle of murals is currently underway on the trailer at First Street and First Avenue.
First photo is of image by Erin Kelli
Photos: 1, 3-6 Lois Stavsky; 2 Tara Murray
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