Lower East Side

giz-ghost_edited-1

This past Friday, we visited Fillin Global’s inaugural showing of curated art at Castle Fitzjohns on the Lower East Side. Featuring a diverse range of creative artworks by over two dozen artists in different media, the exhibit exudes a wonderfully expressive energy. Among the artists whose works we saw are many who also bring their talents to our city’s streets. While there, we had the opportunity we had the opportunity to speak to Thomas Feinstein — of Fillin Global — who curated the exhibit with co-curator Jackie Collins.

This exhibit is amazing! There are so many different styles and techniques represented here, and everything seems to work together. Just what is Fillin Global?

FILLIN is an artist agency, representing innovative artists from across the globe.

such-graffiti-on-canvas

How did you get such a varied, talented group of artists together in one setting? 

Many are friends. Some I’ve known from my childhood growing up in Long Island. Let’s just say I was a bad kid!

ja-giz

How long did it take you to get this exhibit together?

I began working two months ago for a February 19 launch. But during the final week, I barely slept at all.

marc-evan-art

 What were some of the challenges that came your way in getting this all together?

The biggest challenge was working with such a wide range of styles and media and making it all flow.

Dain-artwork

How have folks responded to the exhibit?

They love it!

phetus-artwork-fillinglobal

 What’s ahead?

We are planning an event in a huge warehouse where artists will be able to paint directly on the walls. It will take place this summer.

That sounds great! Good luck and congratulations on this inaugural show.

Note: Today, Sunday, Feb 28, is the final day to check out the Fillin Global’s inaugural exhibit. The gallery — located at 98 Orchard Street — will remain open until 10pm.

Images:

1. Giz & Ghost, Untitled

2. Such, The Big ‘H’

3. JA & Giz, Tabs of the Rising Sun

4. Marc Evan, Limitless Undying Love

5. Dain, I Wasted Time on You

6. Phetus, Untitled

Photo credits: 1, 3 & 6 Tara Murray; 2 & 5 Dani Reyes Mozeson and 4 Lois Stavsky

More artworks and info about them can be seen here.

Note: Hailed in a range of media from 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 }

see-tf-meres-street-art-graffiti-nyc

Meres, Jerms, Topaz, See TF, Python and Demer made their way — several weeks back — to First Street Green, where they painted an ode to the historic East Village/Lower East Side neighborhood. Here are a few more images:

Python aka Kenji

python-graffiti-nyc

Meres One

meres-one-graffiti-nyc

Python, DemerMeres One

python-demer-Meres-graffiti-street-art-nyc

Jerms

Jerms-graffiti-NYC

The huge mural was painted in collaboration with the Centrefuge Public Art Project and First Street Green. The art park is located at 33 East First Street on the site of — what was once — a derelict building.

Note: First image features TopazMeres One and See TF

Photos: 1 & 2 Tara Murray; 3 Dani Reyes Mozeson and 4 & 5 Lois Stavsky

{ 3 comments }

Connecting artists and businesses, the 100 Gates public art project continues to transform dozens of metal store shutters on the Lower East Side and in Chinatown into intriguing outdoor canvases.  What follows are just a few:

Mas Paz, X Cubicle, 25 Essex Street

mas-paz-street-art-gate-NYC

Damien Mitchell, Michele Olivieri, 118 Orchard Street

damien-mitchell-street-art-shutter

Billy the Artist, Michele Olivieri, 88 Delancey Street

Billy-the-artist-Lower East Side-street-art--NYC

Ida Noelle, The Sill @ 84 Hester Street

Ida-Noelle-100-gates

Abigail Kaage, Zest, 249 Broome Street

abigail-Leora-kaage-shutter

Claw Money & Miss 17Red Mango, 145 Allen Street

claw-money-shutter-100-gates

Faust and Shantell Martin, Lowline Lab/EDC Warehouse, 140 Essex Street

faust-and-Shantell=Martin-street-art-nyc

Jessica DeutchLucky Jack’s, 129 Orchard Street

Jessica-Deutch-shutter-street-art-nyc

Buff MonsterBondy Export Corp, 40 Canal Street

buff-monster-street-art-shutter-LES-NYC

Founded by NYC artist and professional skater Billy Rohan, this public art project is managed by Natalie Raben, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Lower East Side Business Improvement District. If you own a business on the Lower East Side and would like to become involved with 100 Gates, check this out.

Photos: 1, 2, 5-9 Tara Murray; 3, 4 Lois Stavsky

{ 0 comments }

stikman-maybe he always looks the same

Featured in Woodward Gallery’s current exhibit Potentia Triumalong with works by Thomas Buildmore and Terence Netter, are over two dozen variations of our beloved stikman.  Representing an extraordinary range of imaginative styles and genres fashioned from sundry materials — many recycled — the artworks remain on display through December 22.

 One of many on paper, Mixed media 

stikman-on-paper-woodward-gallery

Collage on paper series, with Terence Netter on left and Thomas Buildmore on right rear

stikman-buildmore-and-Terence-Netter

Small Concrete Painting, Mixed media

stikman-on-found-surface-on-floor

Bird Garden Shelter, Mixed media

stikman-encaged

Stiks, Stone, Metal, Mixed media

stikman-on-stone

A larger segment of the huge installation in the rear room

stikman-woodward-gallery-jw

Woodward Gallery is located at 133 Eldridge Street between Broome and Delancey Streets. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm and by appointment.

First image: Maybe He Always Looks the Same. but It’s Us that See Him Differently, Close-up, Mixed media

Photo credits: 1-6 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 7 John Woodward

Note: Check here for more of stikman now on view at Woodward Gallery — as captured by Kendall Whitehouse.

{ 0 comments }

Nina-Pandolfo-Rivington-Wall

Noted Brazilian artist Nina Pandolfo recently made her way back to NYC. And we are thrilled that she did! Her delightfully dreamlike paintings will remain on exhibit through November 29th at Coburn Projects‘ Lower East Side gallery space at 2 Rivington Street, and her whimsical outdoor mural will continue to grace the huge wall on Rivington Street off the Bowery until the end of the year.

The complete mural, as seen this week 

nina-pandolfo-street-art-mural-nyc

Nina at work on Rivington Street earlier this month

nina-pandolfo-paints-street-art-mural-nyc

And here are three of Nina’s new paintings in Little Things for Life, her first NYC solo exhibit, presented by Coburn Projects:

Breathe Slowly

nina-pandolfo-art-Breathe-Slowly-gallery-

Follow Your Instincts

nina-pandolfo-follow-your-instincts-art-gallery

One Way to…

Nina-Pandolfo-Other-Way-To-art-gallery

Located at 2 Rivington Street off the Bowery, the gallery is open Wed – Sun 10-6pm.

Photos: 1, 2, 4-6 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 3 courtesy of Coburn Projects

{ 1 comment }

Lee-Quinones-the-Fabulous-5

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

Lee-quinones-wild-style

Hell Express, work study #3, 1979

Lee-Quinones-Hell Express, ,

Rust-oleum VS the Toys, 1981 

lee-quinones-Rust-oleum VS the Toys

Golpe de Suerte, 2013 – 2014, close-up

Lee-Quinones-Golpe-de-Suerte

Crossing Delancey, 2014

Lee-Quinones-Crossing-Delancey

The pop-up exhibit can be seen Wed – Sun from 11am – 6pm.

Note:  First image is Iz the Wiz (The Fabulous Five), 1977

Photo credits: 1, 2, 4 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 3 & 6 City-as-School intern Diana Davidova

{ 2 comments }

David-Safhay-Compostion-of Compositions

Fusing natural elements with man-made materials, sculptor and fine artist David Safhay creates an astonishing range of distinctly inventive works in various media. Presented by Imagination in Space — in partnership with Parasol Projects  — David Safhay‘s first New York City solo show remains on view at 2 Rivington Street through Saturday. Here’s a glimpse:

Nefertiti, Bone, fossil, shells, stone, epoxy

david-safhay-nefertiti

Witch’s BrewBone, found objects, shell, colored pencil, epoxy

David-Safhay-sculpture-Witchs-Brew

Glyphtich, 1 of 3, Formica color core laminate, cherry wood, ebony inlay

David-Safay-glyphtich

Psychedelic Relic, Polythermal clay baked on composite abhor vitae skeleton 

David-Safhay-street-art-Rinvington-Street

Photos: 1 courtesy of Imagination in Space founder Greg Spielberg (pictured above); 2, 4 and 5 Lois Stavsky; 3 City-as-School intern Diana Davidova

Note: First image pictured, Composition of Compositions, walnut casing, wood, iron, rock, fossil, mixed media

{ 2 comments }

After spending five months in London, Pyramid Oracle is back for a bit in NYC.  Opening today at 6pm at City Bird Gallery is Return, a five-day show featuring work he developed in the UK. We met up with the artist yesterday, as he was getting ready for this evening’s exhibit.

Pyramid-Oracle-face-on-wood-close-up

Your works began surfacing here on NYC streets about two years ago. We were struck at once by their haunting, somewhat melancholy, beauty. What is the inspiration behind these works?

I’m inspired by the people, places and things I’ve experienced. I try to capture wisdom from the great mysteries, while depicting our existence in a sort of subliminal lull. I’ve been particularly inspired by the Native Americans I’ve met in Montana and New Mexico.

Pyramid-Oracle-wood_1

When and where did you begin sharing your work in public spaces? 

I started around 2008 doing work throughout the Midwest.  My work first started getting recognized primarily in Chicago. 

What motivated you to get up on the streets?

I was hanging around train riders, graff artists and vagabonds. I was doing most of my work while traveling and spending so much time on the street that it seemed like the natural thing to do.

Pyramid-Oracle-face

Where – besides NYC, Chicago and London – have you gotten up?

Minneapolis, Baltimore, Philly, Portland, and Miami. And in Iowa — Cedar Rapids, Iowa city, Ames, Fort Dodge and Des Moines.  

Just who is Pyramid Oracle?

Pyramid Oracle represents the body of work that I am developing. It is constantly evolving.

pyramid-oracle-in-gallery-nyc

Who are some of your influences?

Among the artists whose works have resonated the most with me through the years are: Gaia, SwoonMata Ruda, LNY and OverUnder.

What would you like folks to come away with after seeing your work? Have you a message to convey?

It is open to interpretation, while its primary purpose is to facilitate a means of reflection and illumination.

Pyramid-Oracle-Return

Return opens this evening at 6pm at City Bird Gallery and remains on exhibit through Sunday. The gallery is located at 191 Henry Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Interview by City-as-School intern Diana Davidova with Lois Stavsky; photos 1-3 Lois Stavsky; 4 Diana Davidova

{ 0 comments }

frank-lexi-Bella-Kosbe-the-best -of-the-worst

The following guest post is by Houda Lazrak, a graduate student in Museum Studies at New York University.  

This past weekend, Hanksy’s much-anticipated show, The Best of the Worst, drew hundreds of street art fans to the former Chase Bank at 104 Delancey Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Along with some of NYC’s most notable graffiti writers and street artists, Hanksy transformed the space into a NYC playground-like arena — with a skate ramp, a Chinese massage parlor and more wonderfully-engaging site-specific installations. Dozens of intriguing, overlapping pieces, paste-ups and stickers paid homage to street art, while, also, poking fun at the scene.

Miss Zukie

Miss-Zukie-

CB23 

CB23

Magda Love and Hanksy and more

Magda-Love

Meres and more

Meres-the best-of-the-worst

Russell King, Col and UR New York

Russell-King-& more

Hanksy

Hanksy-the best of the-worst

Included, too, was a rather formally installed art exhibit in the wittily-titled Gag-Osian Gallery featuring some of NYC’s most popular street artists.

Mr. Toll at the Gag-Osian

Mr-toll

El Sol 25 at the Gag-Osian

El-Sol25

All photos by Houda Lazrak; pictured in the first photo are Frank Ape, Lexi Bella and Cosbe

{ 0 comments }

Currently on exhibit at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Hang It or Skate It features over 20 inventive artworks, each incorporating at least one skateboard.  Here are a few:

Chris Soria, Harold Hunter

chris-soria-hang-it-or skate-it

Savior ElMundo and N Carlos Jay, Legends Never Die

Savior-ElMundo-N-Carlos-J-artwork

Danielle Mastrion, Brooklyn Banks

danielle-mastrion-hang

Ben Angotti, Hamya

"Ben Angotti"

Esteban del Valle, The Curator, Collector and Artist

Esteban-del-valle

Curated by Savior ElMundo, Terry Nelson and Frankie Velez and presented by Hip Hop USA, the exhibit continues through February 27 at the Abrazo Interno Gallery on 107 Suffolk Street.

Photos by Lois Stavsky

{ 1 comment }