public art

Street Art NYC in London, Part I: David Walker, Pez, Stik, Vinie, Martin Ron, Jekse & Cines, Alexis Diaz & Elian and TelmoMiel

September 17, 2015

Drawing artists from across the globe, alongside its diverse mix of local artists, London’s walls reflect a wildly varied range of aesthetic sensibilities. Here’s a sampling of what we viewed last week:

London-based David Walker and Barcelona native Pez to the side

London-based Stik in front of long-running mural

French artist Vinie

Argentinian artist Martin Ron

Chilean artists Jekse & Cines

Puerto Rican artist Alexis Diaz and Argentinean artist Elian

Dutch duo TelmoMiel

Note: Part II to follow

Photo credits: 1 – 3 Tara Murray; 4 – 7 Lois Stavsky

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Shepard Fairey Paints Huge Mural for Mana Contemporary in Jersey City

September 16, 2015

Coinciding with On Our Hands, his solo exhibit of mixed media paintings opening tomorrow evening at Chelsea’s Jacob Lewis Gallery, Shepard Fairey is bringing his distinct aesthetic to two Mana Contemporary spaces in Jersey City. The following photos were captured earlier this week by Audrey Connolly aka byte girl at the Mana Ice House, 581 Monmouth Street:

At work with spray can in hand

On a brief, contemplative break

And at work with his crew

The mural in its final stages — representing Shepard Fairey’s aesthetic vision fusing Russian Constructivism, Chinese Communist propaganda and Americana

All photos by bytegirl

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Faces in NYC Public Spaces, Part X: Owen Dippie, Ryan Gander, Alice Mizrachi, How & Nosm with Tristan Eaton, ECB, Crisp, Chris Soria with Joel Artista and Caratoes

September 15, 2015

This is the tenth in an occasional series of posts featuring the range of faces in different media that have surfaced in NYC public spaces:

New Zealand-based Owen Dippie in Bushwick, Brooklyn

UK-based multimedia artist Ryan Gander on the High Line

Alice Mizrachi, captured at work this past June in the East Village

How & Nosm and Tristan Eaton in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

German artist Hendrik Beikirch aka ECB in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Bogota-based Australian artist Crisp in Brooklyn

Chris Soria and Joel Bergner aka Joel Artista in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Hong Kong-based Caratoes in Bushwick, Brooklyn

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

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Street Art NYC in Dublin, Ireland with Fin DAC, James Earley, Fink, Dan Leo, Marcamix, Friz, Koce and Vents

September 14, 2015

On our brief visit to Dublin, Ireland, we discovered a vibrant street art and graffiti scene teeming with infectious images. Here are a few more:

Cork, Ireland native Fin DAC, whose aesthetic we first came upon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Dublin-based James Earley, close-up

Dublin-based Fink

Irish illustrator and painter Dan Leo

South African native MARCAMIX aka bryite1one

Belfast-based Friz

Irish graffiti artists Koce and Vents

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

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Writing on the Walls in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Part I with: Werc, El Nino de las Pinturas, Eelco, BK Foxx, Lexi Bella, Fumero and N Carlos J

August 31, 2015

Conceived and facilitated by N Carlos J — noted artist, community revitalizer and founder of Brooklyn Is the Future — Writing on the Walls is a Brownsville-based mural arts initiative. Inspired to launch this project for his father, a Brownsville native who was diagnosed with cancer last year, N. Carlos’s Jay has engaged over a dozen artists in transforming his dad’s former stomping grounds into a vibrant outdoor canvas.

Another close-up from Werc and El Nino de las Pinturas

Eelco, close-up

BK Foxx based on photo by Bytegirl

Lexi Bella

Fumero

N Carlos J

Note: This blog will be on vacation through mid-September. You can follow us on Instagram and on our Facebook page. Part II of Writing on the Walls to be featured on our return.

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

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The Blazingly Brilliant Weird Crew Arrives from Europe to the Streets of Bushwick and Exit Room NY

August 27, 2015

Five members of the blazingly brilliant Weird Crew have made their way to NYC. And to our delight, they’ve just completed an ingenious mural on Johnson Avenue and are busily preparing for an exhibit to open tomorrow evening at Exit Room. We had the opportunity to meet them yesterday.

Just what exactly is the Weird Crew?

It’s a collective of ten artists spread throughout Germany and Austria.

How and when did you all meet? And what brought you together?

We met back in 2011 at a festival in Vienna. Some of us knew each other from before, but 2011 is when the crew was founded. We’ve all painted live, participated in festivals and exhibits and have engaged in projects with international companies. Two of us — Cone and Vidam — are also professional DJs and music producers.

You all have distinct styles, and yet you work so seamlessly together. It is quite amazing!

Yes, although our styles are different, we share a similar aesthetic sensibility. And we stay in touch and exchange ideas with each other regularly.

What inspired the particular mural that you just completed painting in Bushwick?

Soon after we arrived in Bushwick, we took a bike ride into Manhattan. We were struck by those folks who often go unnoticed — the workers who keep this city going, who are also the “invisible New Yorkers.” Our mural is a homage to them.

And what do you guys think of New York City?

We love it. We love its energy and diversity — its wonderful mix of cultures.

What can we expect to see at Weird World — your soon-to-open exhibit at Exit Room?

Something weird!

Note: Weird World featuring works by Weird Crew members CONE, DXTR, HRVB, LOOK and VIDAM opens tomorrow evening, Friday, at 6pm at Exit Room. Curated by Zoe Beatwoman, the opening will continue until late with DJ Angel Russell aka Sloane Sophisticate and live musical performances by Perla Cozzone, Starr Busby and Jadon Woodard. The works will remain on exhibit through September 10.

Images: 1. Close-up from completed outdoor mural; 2. Look the Weird at work; 3. Cone the Weird at work; 4. Dxtr the Weird at work; 5. Segment from completed mural and 6. Cone the Weird in Exit Room NY, close-up

Photo credits: 1, 5 & 6 Lois Stavsky; 2-4 Tara Murray

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Apple Gate Project Bushwick with Gorey, SP.ONE, Bis Uno & Diego 127, Whisper, Mast, Quik, Spar, John Kaye, Noxer, Binho and more

August 26, 2015

A huge industrial building at 61 Jefferson Street – a short walk from the JMZ Myrtle Avenue line – has become the backdrop for a wonderful mix of vibrant public art. I recently spoke to its curator, Whisper aka Chip Love.

What an ideal space for this wonderfully diverse artwork! How did you come upon it?

My friend, Brian Sturm, introduced me to John Weiss, the president of Apple Restoration & Waterproofing. John was interested in beautifying the exterior of his business, and Brian thought I might be interested in curating such a project.

Can you tell us a bit more about Apple Gate Project Bushwick’s mission?

Its mission is to beautify the property here at 61 Jefferson with public art and to aesthetically connect to the community.

How many artists were engaged in the project?

By the time it was completed, 15 had been involved.

The art here represents such a wonderful mix of cultures. In addition to many legendary NYC-based artists, participants include: Brazilian artist Binho; Australian artist John Kaye and French artist Gorey. How did you manage to engage such an eclectic group of talented artists?

I called my friends who then called their friends.

What particular challenges did you face in seeing the project to completion?

Challenges were limited. Because the property is a restoration company, we had everything we could possibly need at our disposal: lifts, scaffolding, ladders. John Weiss was wonderfully accommodating. And the entire exterior was power-washed before it was painted.

How has the response been?

There hasn’t yet been much publicity, as we’ve kept it largely undercover while we were working on it. But the word is getting out, and the response that we’ve been getting is incredible. You can check out the hashtag #AppleGateProjectBushwick on Instagram.

What’s ahead for you?

Continuing my art, connecting with like-minded people and building more projects like this one!

Images: 1. Gorey 2. Greg Lamarche aka SP.ONE 3. Bis Uno & Diego 127 4. Whisper 5. Mast; bottom side gate Noxer 6. Quik 7. John Kaye & Spar 8. Noxer & Binho 9. Noxer with Whisper standing and John Weiss of Apple Restoration and Waterproofing seated to his right

Photo credits: 1-5, 7 & 9 Lois Stavsky; 6 & 8 Tara Murray

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Toofly on the Upcoming All-Women Warmi Paint Arts Festival in Quito

August 23, 2015

We miss Toofly when she isn’t in NYC, but we love what she’s up to in her native Quito. You can find out about her current project here:

Just what exactly is Warmi Paint?

Warmi Paint is an all-women arts and culture festival that will launch this fall in Quito, Ecuador.

What is Warmi Paint’s mission?

Its mission is to celebrate and empower Latin American women street artists with a focus on graffiti, street art and murals.

What does the name Warmi mean or represent?

Warmi means “woman” in Quechua. It is the name of the people of the Central Andes of South America. It is also the name of their language. Women of all ages from this part of the world will create a new vision of themselves, nurture their communities and reflect a powerful message.

What can visitors expect?

Special guests and 20 women artists will paint collaborative murals, host workshops, and present their work to the Ecuadorian community. We will have graffiti films, slideshow presentations, panels, youth workshops, pop-up shops and a concert! People of all ages will benefit from this unique cross-cultural exchange and community-building experience.

It sounds wonderful! Good luck with this!

Note: Your support will help artist/curator TOOFLY (NYC) and artist/curator HTM (Ecuador) realize their mission. Find out how you can help fund the project here.

Photos courtesy of Toofly

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Kids on Walls — Part VIII: Nick Walker, Izolag, Chain, Lorenzo Masnah, Miss 163, Adnate, Icy & Sot and Shiro

August 20, 2015

This is the eighth in a series of occasional posts featuring images of children that have surfaced on NYC public spaces:

Nick Walker in the South Bronx

Izolag in Hunts Point

Chain for JMZ Walls in Bushwick

Lorenzo Masnah on the Lower East Side

Miss 163 in Hunts Point

Australian artist Adnate at the Bushwick Collective, close-up

Icy and Sot on the Lower East Side, close-up

Shiro in Bushwick

Note: Entre La Guardia y El Dorado, featuring works by Lorenzo Masnah (featured above) and Alex Seel, will open this evening at 6pm at XY Atelier Gallery, 81 Hester Street on the corner of Orchard. It will remain on view until August 30.

Photo credits: 1 Tara Murray; 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 4 courtesy of the artist 7 Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Section I Project in Baltimore with: Werc, Rubin, Billy Mode, Nether, Adam Estes, Adam Stab, La Anarchy, Kike Castillo & Jesse Kuzniarsk

August 18, 2015

While in Baltimore earlier this month, I stumbled upon an intriguing medley of murals just a few steps from Station North. I soon discovered that they were sponsored by Section 1, an ambitious urban art project aimed at transforming an adjacent abandoned 3.5-acre site into a huge urban art park with over 70,000 square feet of paintable surfaces. Here are a few more murals I sighted that day, some of which are certain to have been repainted in this open-air revolving canvas.

Baltimore native Nether