graffiti

No Longer Empty Presents A Timeline of Handstyles: Signatures from the 1960’s to Present Day Across from Old Bronx Borough Courthouse

June 10, 2015

Conceived and curated by Lady K Fever, A Timeline of Handstyles: Signatures from the 1960’s to Present Day, presents an extraordinary array of writers’ signatures spanning three generations. While visiting the space — across from the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse — I had the opportunity to speak to Lady K.

I love this! There is so much history here. What prompted you to organize this?

When I first hit the streets, I did so as a tagger. And the first book I ever read on this culture, The Faith of Graffiti, alerted me to the significance of the tag. On a more personal level, this wall is also my way of paying homage to the old school writers who were so supportive of me when I first moved to NYC.

This wall serves as a canvas for early legends, as well as for some of the new artists on the scene. How did you get the word out?

I spoke to a number of writers from different generations, and asked them to invite others.

What were some of the challenges you faced in curating this?

Figuring out the logistics of it all, engaging younger writers, and dealing with the inevitable politics.

Were there any particular surprises?

Folks rumored to be dead suddenly surfaced! Seeing Swan 3 was, perhaps, the biggest surprise! What a pleasure that was! And I was surprised — and delighted — that so many folks were willing to travel here from afar to tag this wall.

What’s next?

I’d love to curate a huge warehouse and engage far more people.

The mural will remain on view through the end of this month — with a special public viewing on Sunday, June 28, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Note: Special thanks to Delicioso Coco Helado for providing the space and supporting the project.

Photos: 1-7 Lois Stavsky; 8 & 9 Lady K Fever

Note: Photo 2 features Charmin 65 and Swan 3; photo 3 Stella Isabella; photo 4 Nicholai Khan; photo 5 Dun One; photo 6 Meek; photo 7 Broham380

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The Bushwick Collective Readies for Today’s Block Party, Part II: Mist, Crash & Tats Cru, Yes One, Damien Mitchell, Li-Hill, Telleache, Buff Monster & more

June 6, 2015

Yesterday was another busy day at the Bushwick Collective, as a range of local and global artists prepared for today’s block party. Here’s a glimpse of the action, which continues today:

French graffiti artist Mist joins Crash and Tats Cru

And, yes, today’s the big day!

Note: And for background information about the Bushwick Collective and its founder Joe Ficalora, be sure to check out this this short video, produced for the Tribeca Film Festival, if you haven’t already.

All photos by Tara Murray

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The Bushwick Collective Readies for Its Annual Block Party: Jerkface, Owen Dippie, Solus, The Toasters, Werc & Gera Luz, MCA, Ghost & more

June 5, 2015

The Bushwick Collective is once again home to a range of first-rate local and global artists, as it readies for its fourth annual block party. Here are a few more images we’ve recently captured:

New Zealand-based Owen Dippie

Dublin-based Solus

UK’s The Toasters

Mexican native Werc and Peruvian native Gera Luz

MCA with Skize

The legendary Ghost, RIS

The Block Party, sponsored by Kobra Paint takes place tomorrow, Saturday, at Saint Nicholas Avenue and Troutman Street right off the Jefferson stop on the L line.

And — in addition to the art — there will be much more!

For a wonderful introduction to the Bushwick Collective, check out this short video produced for the Tribeca Film Festival. The Bushwick Collective is also featured on the Google Cultural Institute.

Note: First photo features Jerkface.

Photos: 1-3 Lois Stavsky; 4 & 6 Tara Murray; 5 & 7 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova.

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Veteran Writers on a Graffiti Mission in Bushwick: Checker 170, Styx, Ghetto 149, Keon, Chris 217, Mark 198 and more

May 31, 2015

Mission Graffiti arrived in Bushwick earlier this month featuring several veteran writers who generally paint in Upper Manhattan and in the Bronx. Here are a few images of their wall in progress:

Styx and Ghetto 149 at work

Keon at work

Airbrush and tattoo artist Israel Garcia and his character join the writers

The crew

And a few of the completed pieces — along with shout-outs to the original Mission Graffiti writers — that we captured this past week:

Chris 217

Mark 198

Note: First photo features Checker 170

Photos: 1-5 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 6 Tara Murray; 7 Lois Stavsky and 8. City-As-School intern Diana Davidova

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Mural Art Beautifies the 191st Street Subway Tunnel and Entrance with: Queen Andrea, Jessie and Katey, RRobots, Cekis and Cope2

May 28, 2015

The once drab and dull 900-foot long tunnel connecting Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue at the 191st Street subway station is now a wondrous canvas featuring bright and bold graffiti and fine art. While visiting it last week, we had the opportunity to speak to Jessie and Katey, the Baltimore-based duo, who — along with NYC-based artists, Queen Andrea, RRobots, Cekis and Cope2 — were selected to paint murals along the tunnel.

We love the way you are beautifying this Upper Manhattan tunnel. How did you two first meet? And how did you two — Baltimore-based artists — become involved in this NYC project?

We met when we were both students at MICA: Maryland Institute College of Art. And about four years ago, we started painting together. We’ve both lived in New York, and when we heard about the Department of Transportation‘s open call for artists who specialize in painting large scale murals, we applied.

What aspect of the project most appealed to you?

We loved the idea of returning to NYC to paint such a huge, awesome space.

What was it like working with the other muralists on this project?

It was great, and getting to know them all was wonderful.

What about the Department of Transportation? What was it like working for the DOT?

It was the bomb! They even supported us with potties!

cope2-graffiti-tunnel-DOT

Were there any particular challenges?

At one point the walls cried, and we had to repaint some spots. But — overall — the entire experience was awesome.

Photos of images:

1. Queen Andrea, Lois Stavsky

2. Jessie and Katey, Lois Stavsky; 3. Dani Reyes Mozeson 4. City-As-School intern Diana Davidova

5. Queen Andrea, Dani Reyes Mozeson

6. RRobots, Dani Reyes Mozeson

7. & 8. Cekis, Dani Reyes Mozeson

9. Cope2, Tara Murray; 10. Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Outdoor Gallery NYC Author Yoav Litvin on the Streets of South America with: Inti, Gonzalo Sánchez Painters, Stinkfish & the APC Crew, Entes & Pésimo, Decertor, Marcelo Ment, Tarm1, Nove and Apitatan

May 26, 2015

Outdoor Gallery NYC author Yoav Litvin recently returned from a five-month trip abroad, where he explored the street art in several key South American cities and towns. I had a chance to catch up with him last week:

Those of us following you on Instagram got a mere glimpse into your incredible adventures on the streets of South America. You visited Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. What spurred your interest in that region?

I was curious. I had seen amazing works from South America online, and while I exploring the streets of NYC, I had met a number of South American artists.

In what ways did your findings meet your expectations?

I expected to be blown away and inspired. And I was — beyond any expectations.

What were some of the highlights of your trip?

There were so many! Among them were: walking around the streets of Lima with Entes; coming unexpectedly upon an art festival in La Paz, Bolivia and being in São Paulo during its 3rd annual Graffiti Fine Art Biennial.

Do any particular impressions stand out?

The juxtaposition between Peru’s rich culture and history and its current street art particularly struck me. And navigating Bogota was what NYC was like for me in the early 80’s. I always had to keep my eyes open!

What about some of the challenges along the way?

The biggest challenge — I would say — was the language. And living in the Vidigal favela in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro certainly was an experience.

Where do you think the street art scene in South America is going? Do you think it will continue to remain so authentic?

It is difficult to generalize as each city and town is unique. But I suspect that it will continue to thrive.

What’s next for you?

This Wednesday evening, May 27, I will be speaking about my personal style as a street art and graffiti documentarian, along with the role — as I see it — of the street art photographer. After sharing some of my experiences in photographing NYC street art and graffiti and publishing Outdoor Gallery NYC, I will speak about my recent trip abroad and present many images of street art that I photographed in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. The event will take place 7:00 – 9:00pm at Nowhere Studios, 582 Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn.

Note: All photographs © Yoav Litvin, 2015

1. Inti, Santiago, Chile

2. Gonzalo Sánchez “Painters”, Valparaíso, Chile

3. Stinkfish and the APC Crew, Bogota, Colombia

4. Entes & Pésimo & 5. Decertor, Lima, Peru

6. Marcelo Ment & 7. Tarm1, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

8. Nove, São Paulo, Brazil

9. Apitatan, Quito, Ecuador

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German Artist Claudia “MadC” Walde on the Streets of Yonkers and in Bits and Pieces at WallWorks NY

May 23, 2015

A master of form, composition and color, German artist Claudia “MadC” Walde fashions luscious artworks that surface both on public spaces and in galleries world-wide. Her current exhibit Bits and Pieces at WallWorks NY remains on view through June 2. Here are a few images:

1700, Acrylic, watercolor and spray paint on canvas

2035, Acrylic, watercolor and spray paint on canvas

1126, Acrylic, watercolor and spray paint on canvas

1342, Acrylic, watercolor and spray paint on canvas

MadC-1342-wallworks-NY

1149, Acrylic, watercolor and spray paint on canvas

Wide View

WallWorks NY is located at 39 Bruckner Blvd in the Bronx, just a few minutes away from Manhattan.

Photo credits: 1 Sara C Mozeson; 2, 4, 6 & 7 Tara Murray; 3 Lois Stavsky; 5 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova

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From Miami to NYC: Diana Contreras and Delvs at 12C Outdoor Gallery in the East Village and with Jenny Perez at JMZ Walls in Bushwick

May 21, 2015

While in NYC for the Fridge Art Fair, Miami-based artists Diana Contreras, Delvs and Jenny Perez graced our walls with their vibrant, infectious aesthetic.

Diana Contreras aka Didi and Delvs at work in the East Village at the 12C Outdoor Gallery, 12th Street and Avenue C

Diana Contreras aka Didi at work at 12C Outdoor Gallery

Delvs at work at 12C Outdoor Gallery

Delvs, Diana Contreras and Jenny Perez at work at JMZ Walls in Bushwick

Jenny Perez at work at JMZ Walls in Bushwick

Final piece for JMZ Walls

Photos: 1 & 6 Lois Stavsky; 2-5 Tara Murray

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Back to August Martin HS with 5Pointz: El Niño de las Pinturas, Ben Angotti, Nicholai Kahn, Trace, Skio, Elle, Andre Trenier, ZaOne & Meres

May 19, 2015

This past Sunday, the 5Pointz family continued its transformation of August Martin HS with some of the finest international, national and local artists adding their talents and visions to the extraordinary indoor gallery the school has become. Here’s a small sampling of more of the works that now grace the hallways and doors of the Jamaica, Queens high school:

El Niño de las Pinturas in from Spain

NYC-based Ben Angotti

Queens-based Nicholai Khan with August Martin student Justin Price (interviewed by Street Art NYC) and project co-curator Marie Cecile Flaegul

Trace, New Wave Crew at work

Skio in from Paris and Brooklyn-based Elle

Bronx-native Andre Trenier at work

NYC’s ZaOne

5Pointz curator Meres One

Note: The school will be open to the public on Thursday, June 11, from 4-8pm.

Keep posted to the StreetArtNYC Facebook page for many more images of the amazing artworks.

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

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Lee Quiñones Solo Exhibit at 291 Grand Street on the LES

May 17, 2015

Fusing his never-before-seen drawings with his newer works, Lee Quiñones‘s pop-up solo exhibit — presented by Nicole Klagsbrun — takes us on a fabulous foray into the rich history of one of NYC’s legends who has garnered acclaim for both his graffiti and his fine art. Here is a small sampling of what can be seen through June 7 at 291 Grand Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side:

Wild, Installation view