While driving through the central Spanish city of Illescas, we came upon a huge abandoned property covered with a captivating array of graffiti art. Pictured above is one of the many handsomely crafted burners. Several more artworks in a range of styles follow:
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Another alluring burner
Varied bombs, tags & more
And on a different note — Jesús Moreno
Photos of artworks by Sara C Mozeson and Lois Stavsky
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In this ninth post in our new series, PUSHING IT FORWARD — featuring ILLicit creatives claiming space on NYC streets — we return to Manhattan. Pictured above are Wombat, ZigZag and Toney. Several more Manhattan images by ILLicit creatives follow:
Layne
UWONT
Ost, Lex and Ansotto
Eok, 2DX
Post by the Pushing It Forward Collective
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The following post is by student/intern Samantha Sabatino
On view now at Vanderplas Gallery on Manhattan’s Lower East Side is “Messenger.” Featuring an eclectic selection of works by artists who have been active on the streets of NYC and beyond, the exhibition continues through February 26th. Featured above is an untitled mixed-media work by self-taught artist Will Power. A small sampling of artworks by artists showcased in “Messenger” follows:
The NYC-born graffiti artist and SAMO© collaborator Al Diaz, “In the Future All Art Will Be Fake,” 2023, Mized media on canvas, 23″ x 20″
NYC/Buenos Aires/Miami — itinerant artist Magda Love, “Galaxy Inside 1,” 2023, Painting with Embroidered Frame, 24″ x 19″
Veteran Bronx graffiti artist Cope2, 8th Street R W Lines Subway Sign with blue Cope2 bubble, 2023, Mixed media on original metal subway sign, 27″ x 55″
NYC-based Argentine artist Sonni, “Starman,” 2022, Acrylic on canvas, 60″ x 48″
Located at 156 Orchard Street, the gallery is open Wed-Sat: 11am-6pm and Sunday: 11am-5pm.
Photos of artworks by Samantha Sabatino
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Tomorrow evening, Saturday, February 4, Sister’s Uptown Bookstore & Cultural Center and James Top Productions will host a book signing of James Top‘s autobiography, My Life, along with an opening reception to “Life Is Sweet on Sugar Hill,” a solo exhibition of his artwork. If you don’t already own a copy of James Top‘s memoir, this is the ideal setting to pick up a personally autographed one.
James Top, My Life not only celebrates the life of one particularly passionate graffiti artist, curator, educator and activist, but it illuminates elements of the hip-hop culture that NYC birthed.
Growing up in the projects in East New York, a neighborhood plagued by poverty and violence, it was all too easy to succumb to the fiercely brutal life of the streets. But James Top was determined from early on to somehow escape the “war zone” that was his everyday reality and “make it to the top.”
One of the last of his friends to pick up a marker, James — then JEE 2, the writer — went, within a relatively short span of time, from tagging the walls of his building to hitting trains non-stop. In 1974, along with several other writers, he founded TOP, The Odd Partners, a graffiti crew “with a mission to take over every train line and give Central Brooklyn an all-city graffiti presence.” And that TOP, The Odd Partners did, as its members — principally IN 1, MICKEY729, HURST and JEE 2 — perfected the art of the throw-up as they gained recognition as Kings.
As life evolved, so did the TOP Crew. Members died or were imprisoned; DONDI and NOC 167 were among those inducted; and whole train cars began to roll by. JEE 2 was soon JAMESTOP, and he began actively tagging the streets. “As JAMESTOP, I was a combination of a Central Brooklyn gangster and a Harlem Shaft,” he writes in My Life.
While James Top had found himself enmeshed in a range of personal struggles in the late 80’s, he effectively triumphed over them by the late 90’s after leaving Brooklyn for Harlem. Several hugely impressive accomplishments followed: he curated his first exhibition ever — a DONDI Memorial Show; he launched Graffiti NYC, a TV show centering on NYC’s graffiti art culture; he converted a wall of an abandoned school property into “The People’s Wall” — an open-air gallery, and he began to lecture on graffiti in various venues, including City College, CUNY.
In 2008, James Top had his first one-man show, “AFROLOGY,” showcasing adult versions of his signature AFRO character. And in the late 2010’s, he became actively involved in the Graffiti Hall of Fame, both as a co-director and artist.
You can meet the legendary James Top, view his artwork, and purchase an autographed copy of his memoir tomorrow evening, February 4, from 5-9pm, at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore & Cultural Center, 1942 Amsterdam Avenue @ 156 Street.
Images: 1. Cover photo Jamel Shabazz; 2-5 ©James Top, My Life
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Curated by Kate Storch, “Landmark” is both aesthetically stirring and culturally enriching. Featuring artworks in a range of media by Joe Conzo, Charlie Doves, Bluster One, Peter Paid, Jeff Henriquez and Danny Cortes, the exhibition continues through this Sunday, January 29 at One Art Space in Tribeca. While visiting yesterday afternoon, I had the opportunity to pose a few questions to Kate.
This exhibition is a wonderful homage to hip-hop and to its iconic locations. What spurred you to curate it?
I’d been wanting to curate an exhibition on this theme for awhile. And the beginning of 2023, the year that celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, seemed like the ideal time to make it happen.
How did you decide which artists to feature?
I chose artists whom I admire as professionals and as people. They are all different, yet all are related to the culture in their own distinct ways. Joe Conzo photographed hip-hop from its early days in the South Bronx. His contributions to the culture are invaluable. I’ve been a huge fan of Charlie Doves for years. He is a master of the craft. I love Bluster One‘s signature style. Music runs through it. Peter Paid brilliantly captures the aesthetics of graffiti in his signage. I had a wonderful experience working with Jeff Henriquez several years ago at the Summer Classics Block Party For National Hip Hop Day at First Street Park. And Danny Cortes‘s expertise, energy, patience and humility increasingly impress me.
What were some of the challenges that curating this exhibit presented?
There are always challenges when curating, but in this case, they were limited. Everything has gone remarkably smoothly. All of the artists are great people — and easy to work with!
The exhibition is so beautifully installed. Can you tell us something about that?
The installation is entirely my vision. I had given the placement of the art considerable thought, and I had the artistic freedom here at One Art Space to make it happen. I wanted it all to come to life! I wanted it to be an experience.
How can folks see the exhibit?
One Art Space is located at 23 Warren Street in Tribeca. The exhibit continues through Sunday from 1:00 PM – 6: 00 PM daily. Easily reached by just about every subway line, the gallery can be contacted at 646-559-0535.
Congratulations, Kate!
Featured images:
7 Kate Storch, curator; typography by Peter Paid to the right of miniature art by Danny Cortes
Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky; photos 1-4, 6 & 7 Lois Stavsky; photo 5, courtesy One Art Space
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In this eighth post in our new series, PUSHING IT FORWARD — featuring ILLicit creatives claiming space on NYC streets — we return to the Bronx. Pictured above are Mustard and Taboo — as captured in Woodlawn, while riding the Metro North Harlem Line. Several more Bronx images by ILLicit creatives follow:
Ovie and Tye
Cous, Edo, Loose, Noe, Trac and more-
Ansotto
VSK
Post by the Pushing It Forward Collective
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Opening this evening, Friday, January 13 and running through February 5 at City Point in Downtown Brooklyn is POSITIVE VIBRATIONS. Curated by Collect with Lulu and Silvertuna Studios, it is an exhilarating exhibition featuring an eclectic scope of works by a range of contemporary artists from legendary graffiti writers to pro skaters.
The image featured above was fashioned by the wonderfully talented Bronx-based Zimad, who also painted a huge, brightly-hued mural at City Point’s Flatbush Atrium as a tribute to the approaching Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rabbit. A limited-edition of Year of the Rabbit coloring book calendar will be also available for purchase at the gallery.
A small selection of images of additional artworks on exhibit in POSITIVE VIBRATIONS follow:
Bronx-based Eric Orr
American Pro skater Christian Hosoi
NYC-based Australian artist Damien Mitchell
Bronx-based legends Cope 2 (top) and T-KID 170
Greek artist Andreas Rousounelis
Chicago-based Rubén Aguirre
The gallery is welcoming to children, as well. Among the exhibition’s highlights are classes scheduled for children by the legendary Al Diaz on “How to Create Your Own Graffiti Alphabet.”
Located at 445 Albee Square West, the gallery is open Monday – Wednesday by appointment and Thursday – Sunday 12-7pm. Gallery contacts are lulu@collectwithlulu.com and silvertunastudios@gmail.com
Photos of images: Lois Stavsky
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Rigorously researched and handsomely presented, City of Kings celebrates the rich graffiti culture that began on the mean streets of NYC in the late 60’s and has since evolved into a worldwide phenomenon. Curated by first generation graffiti artist and SAMO© partner Al Diaz, along with graffiti archivist and artist Eric ‘DEAL CIA’ Felisbret and graphic designer and arts educator Mariah Fox, City of Kings appeals not only to us graffiti aficionados, but to anyone curious about the history of an illicit art form that has not only become legitimized in the “art world,” but has impacted just about every aspect of our culture — from advertising to fashion design to education.
Spanning over six decades, a comprehensive illustrated timeline traces the history of NYC graffiti beginning in 1967 with JULIO 204, whose tag and street number captured the attention of his peers in Washington Heights/Inwood. Four years later, when fellow Washington Heights tagger TAKI 183 was profiled in The New York Times, graffiti went on to gain the attention of a wide, diverse audience.
By the mid-70’s, graffiti had evolved into a “firmly established cultural movement with clear principles.” Whole-car train pieces began to roll by and the publication of Norman Mailer’s The Faith of Graffiti lent validation to the art form. But by the early 80’s, Mayor Koch waged outright war against graffiti writers, accusing them of “destroying our lifestyle and and making it difficult to enjoy life.”
Yet despite the war against graffiti, key talented and passionate photographers, documentarians, filmmakers and curators increasingly began to celebrate the culture which continues to make its way not only onto public space but into galleries and museums worldwide.
In addition to the exhibition’s graffiti timeline, there is also a timeline of “Key Current Events,” such as the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968, the election of NYC Mayor David Dinkins in 1989 and the outbreak of COVID-19. – all lending socio-political context to the graffiti movement. And homage is given to the many “Fallen but not Forgotten Players in the Game.” Included among those many writers are such noted ones as: A-One, Don 1, Dondi, Iz the Wiz, Sane 182, and Stay High 140. On view too are black books, graffiti paraphernalia and varied tools of the trade, along with videos, documentaries, recordings and first-person accounts.
Accompanying Part I of the exhibition is an invaluable catalog — published by Howl Arts — that includes: both the graffiti and the current events timelines; key essays by Al Diaz, Eric Felisbret, Mariah Fox and Chris Pape; a glossary of graffiti terms by Eric Felisbret, and learning tools and resources for educators by Mariah Fox. The catalog can be purchased at the gallery or by emailing books@al-diaz.com.
On view in Part II of the exhibition at the nearby Howl! Arts/Howl! Archive are original artworks of largely of graffiti tags by such pioneers as Coco 144, Lava 1 & 2, Noc 167, Snake 1 and Futura, along with photographs by several noted documentarians of the culture including Martha Cooper, Henry Chalfant, Charlie Ahearn, David Gonzalez and Flint Gennari.
Among those on exhibit by the legendary photojournalist Martha Cooper is her 1982 Bronx capture, DUSTER/LIZZIE: 2 top to bottom whole cars in straight letters and wild style.
While Part I — located at 6 East 1st Street — closes this coming Sunday, the 15th, Part II of the exhibition continues through January 29 at 250 Bowery. Both spaces are open Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm.
Photo credits: 1 & 2 Lois Stavsky; 3 & 4 Rachel Fawn Alban, 5 © Howl Arts Inc & 6 © Martha Cooper
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In this seventh post in our new series, PUSHING IT FORWARD — featuring ILLicit creatives claiming space on NYC streets — we return to Brooklyn. Featured above is Jarp — beneath the subway platform alongside the tracks
Snuze
Fame, Dest, RS, Ajes and Pure
Des and Nilo, All City Crew
Dip
Keazy
Stack, ZigZag and varied tags
Unidentified fragment spotted in Bed-Stuy
Post by the Pushing It Forward Collective
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Despite the many changes in Philly’s West Kensington neighborhood, the walls along North 5th & Cecil B Moore continue to host a huge range of striking, first-rate graffiti murals. The image pictured above is the work of the gifted Philly-based Colombian artist Busta. Three more adjacent murals — all on the theme of the greek myth “Jason and the Argonauts” — follow:
Veteran graffiti writer Sew
Philly-based Spanish artist Saoka
Philly-based Spanish artist Imse
And a newly-fashioned nearby wall by Philly graffiti stylist Esteme
Photos: Lois Stavsky
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