art exhibition

Plasma Slug Solo Art Exhibit Continues at ArtHelix in Bushwick

July 29, 2017

Plasma-slug-A-colony-of-love

Portal, a thoroughly enticing exhibit of new artworks in a range of media by the legendary Brooklyn-based artist Plasma Slug, continues through tomorrow at ArtHelix, 289 Meserole Street in Bushwick. When I stopped by yesterday, I had the chance to pose a few questions to the artist.

This is so impressive! Can you tell us a bit about the title of this — your third solo exhibit?

Yes! The exhibit is a portal — an entrance — to another world. Viewers will step into something that will take them out of their routine and they will, hopefully, leave with their minds expanded.

plasma-slug-dna

These are all new works. About how many are in this exhibit? And how long have you been working on this particular body of work?

There are over 40 new pieces, and I’ve been preparing for this exhibit for the past four months.

How do the works on exhibit here differ from your previous ones?

I did not use spray paint to create these new pieces; after much soul-searching, I decided to paint with a brush.

plasma-slug-black-and-white-painting

And why is that?

It was a way for me to “cross over,” — to gain more respect as an artist. The tools we artists use are important as to how we are perceived.

Any other differences between these new works and your previous ones?

This is the first time I’m showing three-dimensional work.

plasma-slug-paiting

What prompted you to do that?

My son was flipping out over a 3-D chalk board he was using, and I liked the effect.

Everything here is so engaging, and your prices are so reasonable.  How can folks see the exhibit if they missed the opening or if they wish to see it again? I could spend hours here!

We’re open today and tomorrow, Sunday from 12-6.

plasma-slug-sticker-art

 Congratulations! It’s quite amazing!

Photos by Lois Stavsky; interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky

{ 0 comments }

Over the Rainbow: An Exhibition of New Works by the Iconic Frank Ape Opens at Contra Galleries in Chelsea

July 27, 2017

Frank+Ape+-+Over+The+Rainbow

Opening tonight at Contra Galleries at 122 West 26th Street in Chelsea is Over the Rainbow, an exhibit of new works by Frank Ape, the iconic character created by Brandon Sines. Curious about Frank Ape? I was!

I’ve been a huge fan of Frank Ape since I first came upon him on our streets several years ago.  Just who is he?

Frank is a fun-loving Sasquatch who lives in NYC among us humans.  Always caring and positive, he is an ape that often takes the form of a cartoon.

4 Frank Ape - Maui - Brandon Sines

When and where was he born?

He was born in NYC in 2010 shortly after I moved here. He evolved from a mix of various mythological creatures, pop-icons and original characters that I’d used in my earlier artwork.

Can you tell us about the relationship between you, Brandon Sines, the artist and the lovable Frank Ape — whom we’ve come to associate with you?

I identify with Frank Ape on a highly personal level. He gives me an opportunity to be invisible — while, at the same time, present — in his work.

Frank -Ape-in-New- York- City

What can visitors to tonight’s opening expect to experience? 

From 6-10pm, visitors can expect to be taken on a magical adventure in the multi-roomed gallery through the eye of Frank Ape. They will be able to interact with several site-specific exhibitions, view new large-scale Frank paintings, scoop limited edition collectibles at the pop-up gift shop and dance through the night to some of Frank’s favorite songs. And they will have the opportunity to meet the real life Frank!

It all sounds great! What’s ahead?

On August 10th, a new exhibit at Contra Galleries will feature my non-Frank paintings, along with a launch of my book Lips and Drips.

Frank-Ape - Good- Morning - New -York -City - Brandon -Sines

Good luck with it all. It’s quite ambitious!

Photos courtesy Brandon Sines

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.

en-play-badge 2

{ 0 comments }

The Legendary West Coast Artist GATS in “Against the Grain” at SPOKE ART NYC Through June 25 and on the Streets of Little Italy

June 18, 2017

gats-art-at-spoke

A huge fan of the Oakland-based street artist GATS since I first saw his iconic mask imagery across the globe several years ago, I was delighted to view his artwork here in NYC — both in the brilliantly conceived and curated exhibit Against the Grain at SPOKE ART NYC and on the streets of Little Italy. Pictured above is a segment of a huge mural featured in Against the Grain. Here are several more images — all fashioned on found objects — from the exhibit:

Death by Pebble, Acrylic on 1960’s skateboards, 4 of 8

gats-skateboards

Traveler, Acrylic on found wooden case (top); Trackside, acrylic on spraycan (bottom)

gats-traveler

Stripes, Acrylic on found shipwreck

gats-stripes

Eliminator, Enamel on vintage sprayer

gats-reclaimed-fire-extinguisher

 And on the streets of Little Italy — with the L.I.S.A Project

gats-little-italy

 Close-up

gats-little-italy-close-up

Against the Grain continues at SPOKE ART NYC through June 25th. The gallery is located at 210 Rivington Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Photo credits: 1, 3-7 Lois Stavsky; 2 Karin du Maire

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

en-play-badge 2

{ 0 comments }

ART STREET 13 WINDOWS 1 WALL at NYU’s Kimmel Windows Gallery with: Art Is Trash, Gilf!, Iena Cruz, Cope2 & Indie 184, Ron English, Cost & Enx, Richard Hambleton and more

August 19, 2016

art-is-trash-kimmel-windows

The windows of NYU’s Kimmel Center are now home to a wide range of street art and graffiti artworks. Presented in partnership with 3rd Culture Creative, a cutting-edge media development company, ART STREET 13 WINDOWS 1 WALL showcases the distinct aesthetic of 15 artists whose works have surfaced on our streets. I recently had the opportunity to speak to its principal curator Pamela Jean Tinnen — who for the past five years has curated New York University’s Kimmel Galleries.

gilf-cruz-cope-indie-graffiti-kimmel-windows

I’m always delighted when universities embrace street art. Can you tell us something about how this project came to be? What might have prompted it?

Yes! Awhile back I went on a street art tour of the Bushwick Collective, conducted by one of my colleagues, Izzy Church. I loved what I saw, and I soon began researching street art. An exhibit featuring street art became a passion project of mine, and the Kimmel Windows Gallery seemed like the ideal site to showcase public art, particularly during the summer months.

Ron-English-nyu-kimmel-windows

Exhibiting works by street artists and graffiti writers in a public space – that can be seen by everyone — is certainly a cool notion! Are there any other particular concepts underlying this exhibit?

Yes. Placing works of street art behind a glass wall also hints at the monetary value of the artworks by those street artists who have achieved mainstream success.

Cost-and-Enx-NYU windows

How did you and your co-curators — Izzy Church and Marten Kale —  decide which artists to include?

We reached out to our favorite artists, and several of the other artists reached out to us.

Did you encounter any unanticipated challenges in seeing it through?

The unconventional nature of the artworks demanded careful attention to their placement in this particular setting.

richard-hambleton-kimmel

I think it looks great! Each window is engaging. How has the response to it been?

The response has been wonderful. I’ve received so many positive messages, particularly from my colleagues.

Until when will it remain on view?

 It has been extended through September 12th.  And during these next few weeks, be prepared for some surprises as we make some changes in the windows! A closing event will be held on Saturday, September 10th from 7:30 – 10pm in the Grand Hall at NYU Global Center, 238 Thompson Street, 5th Floor. There will be art, music and a cash bar.

It all sounds great! 

Kimmel

Images

1. Francisco de Pájaro aka  Art Is Trash

2. Gilf!, Iena Cruz and Cope2 with Indie

3. Ron English

4. Cost and Enx

5. Richard Hambleton

Located on Laguardia and West 3rd St, Kimmel Windows also features: John Fekner, ASVP, Lady Pink, Jonathan “Meres” Cohen, Fumero, Raquel Echanique, Federico Massa a.k.a. Iena Cruz, B.D. White, Joe Iurato, Martian Code and Skewville.

Photo credits: 1-4 Lois Stavsky; 5 courtesy Woodward Gallery; interview by Lois Stavsky

{ 0 comments }

Next Entries →