The birthplace of global graffiti, the Bronx remains a treasure trove of all kinds of markings, many unsanctioned. Featured above are Ammo, Vase, Jio, Griz and Uno. Several more images — captured on our recent hunting sprees — follow:
Sokem, Tower and Jaque rappel graffiti– above tag by Stu AOB
MTNW, Eaks, Quez, Ammo & more — as captured through a miniscule opening
Sko AVL, Ireek, Misk AVL and Ceek AVL
Post and photos by the Pushing It Forward Collective
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On the occasion of Boone Avenue Walls‘ tenth anniversary, dozens of artists brought their remarkable skills and styles to the Bronx neighborhoods of West Farms and Hunts Point. This is Part II of our two-part series documenting this year’s extraordinary Boone Avenue Walls Annual Festival, founded and curated by veteran Bronx writer WEN COD. The image featured above was painted by Brooklyn writer Minus One. Several more images — all captured by street art/graffiti aficionada Kristy Calabro — follow:
Bronx-based artist and educator Lola Lovenotes
OTM Graff Crew member Image
The legendary Bronx-based artist John Matos aka Crash.
West Coast-based artist and curator Espy
Bronx-born writer and textile artist MRS
Florida-based muralist and writer Ric One
Brooklyn-based stylemaster Roachi
Photos: Kristy Calabro
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On the occasion of Boone Avenue Walls‘ tenth anniversary, dozens of local, national, and international artists brought their remarkable skills and diverse styles to the Bronx neighborhoods of West Farms and Hunts Point. The image featured above was painted by the legendary Bronx-born graffiti pioneer Chris “Daze” Ellis. Several more images of the completed murals — all captured by street art/graffiti aficionada Kristy Calabro — follow in this first of a two-part series documenting this year’s extraordinary Boone Avenue Walls,
Bronx-bred artist El Souls
Canada-born, Bronx-based artist, curator and arts educator Lady K Fever
London-based veteran writer Corze
The inventive 3Modes aka Professor M
Queens native graffiti writer and fashion designer Claw Money
Queens-born and based artist Belowkey,
The remarkable, ever-expanding Boone Avenue Walls was founded and is curated by the veteran Bronx writer WEN COD.
Photos: Kristy Calabro
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Celebrating 50 years of women spraypainting NYC, the NYC Graffiti Women’s Festival brought flavor and flair to Hunts Point’s performance and event venue, Bronxlandia, and its surroundings earlier this month. While visiting the site, I had the opportunity to speak to Bronx-based artist, curator and arts educator Lady K Fever who – along with Bronxlandia owner Majora Carter – spearheaded the event.
Can you tell us a bit of the backstory? How did this event come to be?
I had painted a mural earlier this year at Bronxlandia, and when its owner, Majora Carter — who’s very supportive of the arts — offered the space to me to curate, I came up with the idea of inviting women to paint this spot and its neighboring gates in honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
And what was the festival’s particular mission?
We wanted to reflect and enhance the flavor of the neighborhood, while honoring hip-hop. We also wanted to provide a space for women artists to come together with the community and celebrate one another. This festival was somewhat of a fusion and an extension of two of my previous projects: The Bronx Graffiti Art Gallery and Her Story
What were some of the challenges you faced in seeing the event through?
The cost of insurance — especially when it involves graffiti and hip-hop — was a major business concern. Other challenges included: finding several additional nearby spaces; painting on shutters and gates, as those were our primary surfaces, and securing funding to pay for essential supplies. We are extremely grateful t0 Peter and JP at Burton NYC and to Low Brow Paint & Supply for coming through.
How did the event go? What was the day like?
It was wonderful. There was so much positive energy. Dozens of folks of all ages came through and hung out. We had great female deejays and spontaneous breakdancing. There was a wonderful group of volunteers and delicious food. And Bronx-native Mrs. had the opportunity to make her mark on the roof!
And what’s ahead for you?
Along with Andre Trenier, I will be featured in a show next year at Bronx Art Space. I will also be visiting a range of universities as a guest artist. And I’m working on a curriculum and varied educational programs related to graffiti. I don’t want the history of women in graffiti to be lost.
Note: If you reside in the Tri-state area, you can win a Burton snowboard, a selection of street art books and more from Low Brow, when you enter the 2023 Art Raffle to support the arts and education. You can either submit artwork on a custom art template with a $20 entry fee or purchase a raffle ticket for $30. Email NYCgraffitiwomenfestival
Images:
Photo credits: 1-6 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 7 courtesy Lady K Fever; interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky
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Founded and curated by the veteran Bronx writer WEN COD, Boone Avenue Walls now brings an alluring array of vibrant graffiti and mural art by local, national and international artists to two locations in the Bronx. This first of a two-part post focuses on the walls that have surfaced along Boone Avenue during its recent Beautification and Artists Festival.
Featured above is Philly-based, Spanish artist Saoka at work. Several more images of both artworks in progress and completed murals follow:
Philly-based, Spanish artist Imse captured at work
BedStuy Walls founder and curator Miki Mu
Veteran uptown writer Kron
Sao Paulo-based muralist and tattoo artist Bits PMA
The legendary Tats Cru member BG 183
Bronx-based Sebar7 in collaboration with Oslo, Norway-based artist Mucho
Photos by Sara C Mozeson and Lois Stavsky
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In this twelfth post in our new series, PUSHING IT FORWARD — featuring ILLicit creatives claiming space on NYC streets — we’re back to the Bronx. Pictured above is Avert — hunted down in Hunts Point. Several more images of Bronx markings follow:
The ubiquitous Cope2
Riot
Aster — whose tag seems to keep on surfacing!
And a treasure trove of markings on a freight spotted along the tracks in Mott Haven
Post by the Pushing It Forward Collective
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Bronx-based artists John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres have been fashioning exquisite life-like portraits of their neighbors for over 40 years. At once poignant and majestic, their sculptural portraits are a a visual ode to their community — its resilient spirit and its rich culture. Continuing through this month at The Bronx Museum is their solo exhibition “Swagger and Tenderness…,” featuring 65 sculptural portraits created both individually and collaboratively. What follows is a brief sampling:
John Ahearn with Rigoberto Torres, “Janelle and Audrey,” 1983, Acrylic on plaster
John Ahearn, “Joe Conzo at 17,” 2020, Acryic on plaster
Rigoberto Torres, “Daze,” 1998, Acrylic on plaster
John Ahearn with Rigoberto Torres, “Mario and Norma,” 1979, Acrylic on plaster
John Ahearn, “Juanita in Stripes Hugging Carlos,” 2020, Acrylic on plaster
Rigoberto Torres, “Melissa Maycock,” 1997, Acrylic on plaster
John Ahearn with Rigoberto Torres, “Bintou and Anwar,” 1998, Acrylic on plaster
Co-curated by Amy Rosenblum-Martín and literary activist Ron Kavanaugh, “Swagger and Tenderness…” remains on view at The Bronx Museum until the end of this month. Located at 1040 Grand Concourse, the museum is open Wednesday – Sunday from 1 – 6PM. Admission is free.
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In this third post of our new series, PUSHING IT FORWARD — featuring ILLicit creatives claiming space on NYC streets — our focus now is on those images we’ve seen in the Bronx. Considered by many as the birthplace of graffiti back in the 70’s, the Bronx continues to host a multitude of unsanctioned markings. The character pictured above was fashioned by the itinerant Z-Bird. Several more photos of ILLicit public works recently captured in the Bronx follow:
FS TMR, RB OQB, BL WDD and DEN FTR
Text and Cous
MFK
Reboe LNE
South LNE
Post and photos by the Pushing It Forward Collective
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When East Tremont resident Kay Love was offered the opportunity to paint a huge wall outside the nearby Colombian restaurant La Masa, she jumped at the opportunity. And what emerged was the first all- female artists’ production wall in the Bronx inspired by Colombia’s beauty — its divine indigenous women, history, culture and nature.
Among the talents featured in the mural segment pictured above are those of the legendary Japanese artist Shiro and self-described “Defender of the Bronx” artist Kay Love. Several more segments of the delightfully tantalizing mural follow — all fashioned by members of the graffiti crew and collective GW2 (Girls Write Too).
Colombia-born, East Harlem-based mixed media artist Gia, Secta 7 Collective member Neku, and graffiti writer & muralist Jai
Queens-based Asian American graffiti writer Ming and Shiro
Stockholm-born, East Harlem-based graffiti writer and muralist Scratch
Bronx-based veteran graffiti writer Erotica
Special thanks to Scratch for sharing the backstory of the mural.
Photo credits: 1, 2 3 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 4 Kay Love
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This past fall, under the curatorial direction of veteran graff writer Wen Cod, over two dozen artists once again brought their blazing talents to Boone Avenue in the Bronx. The vibrant image featured above was painted by the hugely talented Blame1, a member of both FX and the Slaughter House Krew. Several more exhilarating images follow:
Stylemaster Doc TC5
Queens native graffiti writer and fashion designer Claw Money
The inventive graff pioneer Cycle
Veteran writer and illustrator Wore One
The delightfully imaginative Long Island-based Phetus
The hugely skilled artist and typographer Queen Andrea
The ever-deft Bronx-native Yes One
Photo credits: 1, 2, 4 & 7 Ana Candelaria; 3, 5, 6 & 8 Lois Stavsky
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