Within the last few weeks over a dozen first-rate pieces have surfaced on and off Bushwick’s Morgan Avenue. Here are a few images we’ve captured:
Phetus and Such
Yes1 at work
Pase
Bekit
Jew
D-Virus from Holland
Jem
Wane aka Knows
Vein
Shank aka Demote and Dero
Photos by Lenny Collado and Dani Mozeson
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Within the past year, the walls along Scott, Troutman and St. Nicholas in Bushwick, Brooklyn have evolved into a vibrantly intriguing outdoor gallery. We recently had the opportunity to pose some questions to its curator, Joe Ficalora.
What inspired you to transform this neighborhood into such a wonderful open-air gallery?
I’ve lived in this neighborhood all my life. Growing up here, I was not even allowed to play outside. The delis were drug spots, and the surrounding blocks teemed with prostitutes and junkies. I was continually exposed to hookers and gangs. My dad was murdered right down the block as he was leaving the L train Jefferson Avenue station. As artists and creative types began moving into the neighborhood, things changed. And after my mother’s death, I was moved to transform the cold industrial aura of this area into something that would revive me and provide the artists with a space to showcase their talents. I am trying to create an environment that I couldn’t get as a child.
Wow! You are certainly succeeding. Bushwick Five Points has become one of our favorite spots in NYC! How do you manage to have access to so many walls?
Some are family-owned and others I’ve negotiated with their owners. Once these building owners see a finished wall, it is not difficult for them to recognize that the artwork surfacing here is far more appealing than random tags and unspeakable words!
We’ve noticed and love just how varied the artwork is here – in terms of both artists’ backgrounds and styles. Have you any favorites?
I love them all, and I love the mix! Each piece is special to me. I love watching everything from the progress of the artists to the reactions of the passersby.
How do you decide which artists to feature on the walls here at Bushwick Five Points?
I look for passion and integrity. I always meet the artist first, and we walk through the neighborhood together. I show them the walls, and I tell them a bit about the other artists who’ve painted here. If I like the artist’s work and feel right about the artist, it’s a go!
How do you decide which walls go to which artists?
We discuss which spaces are available and the artist then chooses his or her canvas.
Any thoughts about the graffiti/street art divide?
I admire the graffiti that has been surfacing in the vicinity of Morgan Avenue. But I love the varieties of expression that street art offers.
How do you feel about the role of the Internet in all this?
I think it’s beautiful. We all get to see and appreciate what’s surfacing throughout the world.
What’s ahead?
I’m not looking long-term. I’m enjoying what I’m doing now. And I’d love to keep doing what I’m doing the rest of my life!
That sounds great! We are so glad you are doing what you are doing.
Special thanks to Bodega Wine Bar for the delicious complimentary snacks we were served while interviewing Joe.
Images beginning with top: Nick Walker, Danielle Mastrion and Concrete Jungle, photo by Dani Mozeson; Icy and Sot, photo by Lenny Collado; Priscila De Carvalho, Maria Berrio & Miriam Castillo, photo by Lois Stavsky; Never, photo by Lois Stavsky; The Yok and Sheryo, photo by Dani Mozeson; Rimx, photo by Dani Mozeson; Dan Witz, photo by Dani Mozeson; Hellbent, photo by Tara Murray; OverUnder and LNY, photo by Dani Mozeson; Jim Avignon, photo by Lois Stavsky
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Queens native Alice Mizrachi, aka AM, is an artist, curator, educator and community organizer whose artwork is not only on walls throughout New York City and beyond, but in galleries world-wide.
We’ve seen some new pieces of yours at Long Island City’s 5Pointz and in Welling Court. What else have you been up to?
During the summer, I had the opportunity to paint in Tel Aviv, as I was there for a solo show at Bazel Gallery. I’m also curating, along with Diana McClure, Purple, an exhibit produced by YOUNITY — an international collective of urban female visual artists, designers and craftswomen — to open at Causey Contemporary Gallery on October 19.
You seem to move fluidly among the worlds of street art, graffiti, and fine arts. Not many artists do. How do you feel about the so-called divide between street art and graffiti?
To me there is no divide. My work is my work, whether it’s on a wall or a canvas or wood or sculpture. I like to express myself, have fun and explore. I dislike labels.
Who are you looking at these days? Have you any particular favorites or artists whose works inspire you?
I’m inspired by what Cern is doing. I’ve know him for a very long time and it’s great to watch and grow with your peers. Carlos Mare 139’s graffiti-inspired futuristic sculptures are astonishing. He has been a great friend and studio mate to me this past year and I’m inspired by his life and history. I’m always looking at what Trystan Bates from Honeycomb Arts — an arts collective based out of Argentina — is doing. His work is beautiful! And I also want to mention QA (Queen Andrea). Her recent exhibit at the Fuse Gallery featured a new selection of her work, including some beautiful abstract geometric pieces.
What’s next?
This week I’m getting ready to paint with one of my favorite NYC-based graff writers Free5 in the Bronx for a project that Erotica and Clark organized. Next week I paint alongside Ian Kuali’i, David Ellis and Gilf! for a project in Jersey that Arrested Motion will feature. After Purple in the fall, I’m preparing for a solo exhibit during February at Weldon Arts. I’m also working on a community-based project for Art Forward during Women’s History Month, and I’m getting ready to launch a rug with UR Place, a line of street art/graff-inspired carpets. In May I do a residency in Spain, and in the summer I’ll be in Argentina for a show. On top of all that, I’m still teaching workshops and classes with the youth. So as you can see, I’m keeping busy busy busy.
It all sounds great! Good luck! And we are certainly looking forward to checking out Purple next month.
First three photos — AM at 5Pointz, LIC; AM with Free5 & Cope2 at West Farms, Bronx; AM holding print in Chelsea studio –by Lois Stavsky; photo of AM mural in Astoria, Queens by Dani Reyes Mozeson and photo of AM at work in the Bronx by Lenny Collado
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This is the fifth in a series of posts of images of girls — and women — who grace New York City’s walls:
The legendary Chilean artist Cekis in Bushwick, Brooklyn
Queens native Cern at Welling Court in Astoria, Queens More after the jump!
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Close to a dozen masters of styles and letters — representing both the East and West coasts — hit the walls in Bushwick this past weekend. Here are a few images:
Queens-based Hoacs
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Under your leadership 5Pointz has evolved into an internationally acclaimed aerosol art Mecca. When did you first become involved in managing this space? And how did it happen?
It was back in 2002. I simply asked the landlord, Jerry Wolkoff, if I could, as the space had been neglected. And he agreed. He told me, in fact, that he loves graffiti. More after the jump!
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This is the fourth in an occasional series of images of girls — and women — who grace New York City’s walls:
Celso González of Puerto Rico in Bushwick, Brooklyn
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A native of Binghamton, New York, noted sculptor John Ahearn gained recognition in the 80’s for his remarkably life-like, colorful casts of residents of the South Bronx — the community in which he chose to live and work. We recently sighted two of his astonishing installations — fashioned in collaboration with Rigoberto Torres — on the exterior walls of two South Bronx buildings. A homage to the community, these pieces transform both the buildings and their surrounding landscape into a celebration of local life. More after the jump!
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Punctuating some of NYC’s dreariest industrial blocks in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx is an array of vibrant graffiti walls. Here’s a sampling of these bold outdoor canvasses in a South Bronx district that attracts not only local writers, but also visitors to Tats Cru’s headquarters from across the globe:
West Coast-based Jurne, close-up
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Chelsea’s Eyebeam Art + Technology Center has a new look. Celebrated street artists LNY and Nanook, along with South Korean multi-media artist Taeyoon Choi, recently graced the exterior of Eyebeam, lending it a playfully provocative urban aesthetic. Here are a few images:
LNY close-up
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