NYC

Back with our documentation of ILLicit Creatives claiming space on the streets of NYC, this post focuses on the fourth in our series of Queens markings. Pictured above is Ecal — followed by several more images of unsanctioned graffiti captured in Queens public spaces.

The ubiquitous Quasar aka Qzar

Lucy and the prolific MQ

Zoot, KYS

Zerz, OTL and Panic, SB

York and Eve, GI

Angr, LNE

Note: Pushing It Forward, a limited edition zine featuring artworks fashioned by “illicit creatives,” — edited by Lois Stavsky and designed by Lord K2 — is now available at So Books in Tokyo, Japan.

Photos: Lois Stavsky

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This past Thursday, the wonderfully welcoming and elegant Blue Gallery NYC hosted Wall 2 Wall. Curated by the designer John Herbert Wright, it features an eclectic range of work by six artists, four of whom maintain a huge presence in public space.

Pictured above in front of two of his canvases is Meres One of 5Pointz fame — whose principal work space these days is his studio. Several more images of artworks on exhibit by artists who are also active on the streets follow:

Also by Meres One

Queens-based See TF in front of his photorealistic portraits on jacket

NJ-based Albertus Joseph alongside his expertly-rendered skull

Veteran graffiti writer Mike 171 standing alongside work by Question Marks– also tagged by SJK 171 and the legendary Taki 183 — with a copy of the seminal Wall Writers in his hand

Question Marks and Dirt Cobain

Located on the first floor of the Blue Building, 222 E. 46th Street, Wall 2 Wall can be viewed today through Wednesday, 1-5pm and at its Closing Reception, Dec. 21. 6-10pm.

Photo credits: 1 & 2 Rachel Alban, 3-6 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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I returned to Freeman Alley this past Sunday to discover a wonderfully diverse range of artworks in varied media, along with artists from near and far at work. Pictured above is the lovely Ecuadorian nomadic artist Lasak. Several more findings follow:

 Boston native Mattaya Fitts

Bronx native Abe Bx

Italian artists Rat Rockster and Ikas leaving their mark in the alley as they pass through NYC

Colombian artist Luch pays homage to his hometown Valle de Cocora

The spirit of Indonesia from Komodo

An surprise visit from the prolific mark-maker Qzar

And one of several sticker combos

Photos: Lois Stavsky

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Born and raised in Queens, New York and based now in, Bari Italy, Cear One has left his mark not only in his native city, but in Central America and now in his current hometown in Southern Italy. I recently had the opportunity to interview him:

When did you first “get up?”

I started practicing tags when I was about 13 or 14. But I didn’t actually go outside with spray paint until I was 17. That’s when I did my first throw-ups and fill ins on Queens’ rooftops.

Where were you living at the time?

I was living in Flushing, but I also went around Astoria, Jackson Heights and other parts of Queens.

What inspired you to?

My uncle, the Original KR1, was a writer. He was a big influence. Graffiti magazines and videos also inspired me.

Were there any other artists out there who motivated you to “get up” when you first started?

There were many! Among them are: Zephyr, SP1, Cope2, Ces, Per, Sabe KST, Keep, Nato, Bruz and West Cost writers Saber and Revok.

And why did you continue to “get up?”

I loved the feeling of it. It’s thrilling. It’s kind of a rush – like a natural high. And when I get up, I feel like I’m getting a good workout!

Have you any favorite surfaces or spots?

With markers, I love a smooth surface. And with paint, I like corner spots — like hidden or abandoned areas.  I love concrete, metal, doors, plastic, trucks, gates, old buildings, brick, cinderblock… Trucks are especially great because they move.

How do you choose your spots?

I go for the kinds of spots that are likely to last. Those are ideal.

What’s your earliest graffiti-related memory?

The pieces my uncle made for me as birthday presents.  He’d write my name, and he’d add characters and backgrounds – all in graffiti style.

What is the riskiest thing you’ve ever done?

I guess it would be highway spots. While I’m painting, people are beeping , shouting or cheering me on. It’s very distracting!

What is the average amount of time you spend on a piece?

Doing an illegal piece could take up to 20 minutes or a half hour – depending on its size and details.

How do you feel when someone goes over you? And what do you do about it?

I don’t like it. I go back over them!

Have you had any memorable encounters while you were getting up?

Once when we were walking along the Long Island Railroad tracks in Queens, we didn’t hear the train coming or see the lights blaring — until it was seconds away. We literally dodged this train by maybe a minute, as it quickly zoomed by us.

Have you ever used any implements to defend yourself? If so, what were they? And what were the circumstances?

We once threw a sledge hammer at a conductor to back him off from coming out of the train.

Was there a singular moment when you realized that graffiti is a particular passion of yours?

I can’t say it was a single moment. It was watching graffiti videos and movies, reading Subway Art, going down to Canal Street for ink and supplies, checking out tags, doing them inside trains, going back home and practicing. I was kind of feeling that whole movement back then in 2000. it was an exciting time for me.

If you were offered the opportunity to do a legal mural for pay, would you take it?

Yes. I would, and I have in the past. I don’t frown upon legal pieces.

From your perspective, how welcoming has the graffiti scene been to diverse groups of people?  

It’s always been a diverse crowd. Graffiti brings together people from all nationalities and backgrounds.

Would you rather paint on your own or with other writers?

I love painting alone. I might do a few pieces with another writer and then move on.

You’ve painted in here in NYC and now you’re living and getting up in Bari, Italy. Where else have you painted?

I’ve also painted in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

What was it like to paint in those countries?

While in Costa Rica, I got interested in abandoned places – so that I could take my time without cops or other people bothering me. In Nicaragua, I painted in central places where everyone was partying and no one was paying attention, so I could sneak in and out of a space, without getting noticed.

And what’s it like in Bari, where you live now?

I like Bari because it’s metropolitan, and my art gets lots of views – many more than it could get in Costa Rica or Nicaragua.

What is your favorite paint? Caps? Colors?

Favorite paints are Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch, Montana, Loop. As far as caps, Astro fat caps are amazing.  Pink Dot cap , Orange Dot Cap, New York Fatcap. As for colors…I love shades of greens, blues, purples, pinks, oranges and reds. I also like black, white and silver.

What do you see as the future of graffiti, particularly illicit graffiti?

It will continue to grow. There are many new writers out there and they seem very dedicated.

What about your future? Where are you headed?

The passion to go bombing will always be with me. I’m always looking to improve my skills, and I want to be part of this movement’s history.

Interview edited for brevity and clarity by Lois Stavsky; all photos courtesy of the artist

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Inspiring positive vibes and sparking conversations about mental health, ten artists were busy last week fashioning a wonderfully diverse array of murals at South Street Seaport. Conceived and curated by designer, illustrator and muralist Annica Lydenberg aka Dirty Bandits and mental health advocate and author Samantha Schutz, the project suggests that we are all connected through our common humanity and, therefore, never alone.

The image featured above was designed by the Chinese American artist Zipeng Zhu aka Mr.Dazzle. Several more images of newly designed “You Are Not Alone” murals follow:

Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Sally Rumble

Dominican-American visual artist and graffiti writer Indie 184

Brazilian designer and visual artist Cristina Pagnoncelli aka CRISPA 

NYC-based type designer and educator Lynne Yun

The prolific Brooklyn-based designer and visual artist Jason Naylor

 NYC-based lettering artist and designer Alanna Flowers

Filipino-American multidisciplinary artist Richard Tumang

NYC-based multidisciplinary artist Marco Santini

Brooklyn-based Japanese American artist Adam Fu

And a message from project co-founder Dirty Bandits

Stay posted to the Street Art NYC Instagram for images of Priority Bicycles — designed by six of the artists — that will be used for “Priority Delivers” in honor of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month and Bicycle Month.

Photos: Lois Stavsky

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Pictured above is a segment from Italian artist Jorit‘s superb visual ode to hip-hop legend KRS-One. Several more images of faces that have surfaced on NYC public spaces in the past few months follow:

Ecuadorian artist Toofly in Astoria, Queens with the Welling Court Mural Project

Thailand-based MUEBON in Bushwick with JMZ Walls

Self-taught Cuban American artist Blanco on the Lower East Side

Brooklyn-based Vince Ballentine in Prospect Heights with Underhill Walls

NYC-born, NJ-based Albertus Joseph in the Bronx with Boone Avenue Walls

Brooklyn-based Lexi Bella at First Street Green Art Park

Photo credit: Lois Stavsky

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After a hiatus of several weeks, we are back with our documentation of ILLicit creatives claiming space on the streets of NYC. Pictured above is MFK, the Metal Fingers Krew; what follows are several more graffiti bombs and throwies captured as we revisited Queens.

Angr

Boni and Sykoe

Unidentified

Mono

Someone

Sie and Mer

Post by the Pushing It Forward Collective

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In this fifth post of our new series, PUSHING IT FORWARD — featuring ILLicit creatives claiming space on NYC streets — our focus now is on those bombs and throws that have surfaced in Manhattan. The image above features the markings of Spray RBV and Goog, along with dozens of tags. Several more images recently captured on the streets of Manhattan — from Chinatown to Inwood — follow:

Fat Jay

Bat, Cope2, Poke, Ollin Crew, Say No Sleep & more on the Bowery Wall

Acet

Riot

House TOS and Rom89

Mae and Dip

Post and photos by the Pushing It Forward Collective

Note: We return to the borough of Queens in our next PUSHING IT FORWARD post

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Queens is major stomping ground. It has been for generations – from the Long Island Railroad in Jamiaca. to Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights. At the turn of the century, Queen’s 7-line train, rooftops, tunnels, and streets were notorious for their graffiti. From 74th street and Roosevelt Avenue all the way up to Flushing Main Street, graffiti was rampant. But then with elected officials like Mayor Rudy Giuliani and District Attorney Peter Vallone, it became scarce. These politicians, alongside prosecutors and judges, came down heavily on graffiti writers. Years went by with very little action on the 7 line. Then came the pandemic.

While most New Yorkers secluded themselves indoors during the early months of the pandemic, an impassioned minority ventured outdoors to make their mark on the city’s newly abandoned streets, storefronts and walls.  An entire new generation of ILLicit creatives with an irrepressible urge to “get up” was born. In an ongoing new series, Street Art NYC will highlight them, while also paying homage to veteran writers who are “pushing it forward.” This first in our series — spanning all five boroughs — focuses on the markings in Queens. The image above features Real. Several more photos recently captured in Queens follow:

Anso

Boni and Kitty

Pure

Angr and Tav

Faes and Sic

MTNW

Post and photos by the Pushing It Forward Collective

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