Ron English

Speaking with the Legendary Pop Surrealist and Street Artist Ron English on the Release of “Big Poppa”

March 4, 2020

The following post is by Street Art NYC contributor Ana Candelaria

This past Friday, I had the honor of interviewing the legendary Ron English at the release party of Big Poppa classic colorway, a designer toy created by Ron English in partnership with Beacon-based Clutter. Limited to just 75 pieces worldwide, this historic drop featured a limited edition run of 10 Crystal Big Poppa classic sweater designer toys, hand embellished with 4,130 Swarovski crystals. Fans had the opportunity to meet Ron English, view and purchase Big Poppa, and pick up an exclusive collectible can from Kings County Brewers Collective.

Can you tell us something about the birth of Big Poppa?

Here’s a little secret! My character MC Supersized was a bit based of him! Biggie was still around at the time. It was in the late 80’s.

How long did it take to create Big Poppa?

It took about two years from starting to sculpt to this final product. And that’s good for these things!

What inspired you to create Big Poppa?

Awhile back during a screening of my movie POPaganda, one guy in the audience got up and said, “We watch this movie and we know everything you hate. What do you like?” And I thought I should shout out a few things that I actually like — like puppies and Big Poppa!

What does your new character represent?

For me, he just represents inner joy and happiness. Being at ease with yourself, enough so that you can create without even trying, or at least seeming that you are not even trying. That effortless kind of thing!

How much of your art, would you say, is political?

Probably — in some way or another — all of it; and — in other ways — really none of it. Most political things kind of come and go very quickly, or they become irrelevant. I actually try to create things that will have a relevance in a thousand years. If anyone will want to know what it actually felt like to live right now, I’m your guy!

Do you want your viewers to walk away with a message of any kind?

I really want to create a feeling or a vibe that will infect your spirit and hopefully you go away a bit happier. You know…being able to enjoy life a little bit more.

What’s next?

We just left a recording studio, where we were finishing up our new record called, We Are The New They.

Awesome! What kind of music is it?

The vibe is very modern. I’m influenced by The Beatles and early rap, so I just put it all in there. I’m working with some of the most talented people out there. And the great thing is because they’re all playing different characters, they embody all different styles!

Do you, yourself, listen to music when you’re creating? Does it inspire you?

Actually, no! When I create, I’m in a very deep state of concentration. Music could be playing, and somebody could be shooting a puppy, and I would be totally unaware!

Interview withRon English conducted by Ana Candelaria and edited for brevity by Lois Stavsky

Photo credits: 1, 2, 4-6 Ana Candelaria; 3 courtesy Clutter

Note: Photo two features UK-based toy designer and street artist Czee 13 to the right of Ron English

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ART STREET 13 WINDOWS 1 WALL at NYU’s Kimmel Windows Gallery with: Art Is Trash, Gilf!, Iena Cruz, Cope2 & Indie 184, Ron English, Cost & Enx, Richard Hambleton and more

August 19, 2016

The windows of NYU’s Kimmel Center are now home to a wide range of street art and graffiti artworks. Presented in partnership with 3^rd Culture Creative, a cutting-edge media development company, ART STREET 13 WINDOWS 1 WALL showcases the distinct aesthetic of 15 artists whose works have surfaced on our streets. I recently had the opportunity to speak to its principal curator Pamela Jean Tinnen — who for the past five years has curated New York University’s Kimmel Galleries.

I’m always delighted when universities embrace street art. Can you tell us something about how this project came to be? What might have prompted it?

Yes! Awhile back I went on a street art tour of the Bushwick Collective, conducted by one of my colleagues, Izzy Church. I loved what I saw, and I soon began researching street art. An exhibit featuring street art became a passion project of mine, and the Kimmel Windows Gallery seemed like the ideal site to showcase public art, particularly during the summer months.

Exhibiting works by street artists and graffiti writers in a public space – that can be seen by everyone — is certainly a cool notion! Are there any other particular concepts underlying this exhibit?

Yes. Placing works of street art behind a glass wall also hints at the monetary value of the artworks by those street artists who have achieved mainstream success.

How did you and your co-curators — Izzy Church and Marten Kale — decide which artists to include?

We reached out to our favorite artists, and several of the other artists reached out to us.

Did you encounter any unanticipated challenges in seeing it through?

The unconventional nature of the artworks demanded careful attention to their placement in this particular setting.

I think it looks great! Each window is engaging. How has the response to it been?

The response has been wonderful. I’ve received so many positive messages, particularly from my colleagues.

Until when will it remain on view?

It has been extended through September 12^th. And during these next few weeks, be prepared for some surprises as we make some changes in the windows! A closing event will be held on Saturday, September 10^th from 7:30 – 10pm in the Grand Hall at NYU Global Center, 238 Thompson Street, 5th Floor. There will be art, music and a cash bar.

It all sounds great!

Images

1. Francisco de Pájaro aka Art Is Trash

2. Gilf!, Iena Cruz and Cope2 with Indie

3. Ron English

4. Cost and Enx

5. Richard Hambleton

Located on Laguardia and West 3rd St, Kimmel Windows also features: John Fekner, ASVP, Lady Pink, Jonathan “Meres” Cohen, Fumero, Raquel Echanique, Federico Massa a.k.a. Iena Cruz, B.D. White, Joe Iurato, Martian Code and Skewville.

Photo credits: 1-4 Lois Stavsky; 5 courtesy Woodward Gallery; interview by Lois Stavsky

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Street Art NYC in Rome’s Quadrado Neighborhood with: Beau Stanton, Dilka Bear, Maupal, Ron English, Veks Van Hillik and Mr. Thoms

September 30, 2015

The following post is by Houda Lazrak, a contributor to StreetArtNYC and an M.A. candidate in Museum Studies at NYU:

The MURo Project, the Museum of Urban Art of Rome, is a mural initiative whose goal is to rejuvenate the streets of the largely working-class Quadrado neighborhood on the Eastern outskirts of Rome. Artists who have beautified the district include local, as well as international, ones. By referencing a map available online on MURo’s website, I navigated through the streets and found several of these works in hidden and unexpected locations. What follows are a few:

Kazakhstan native Dilka Bear

Italian artist Maupal

New York-based Ron English

French artist Veks Van Hillik

Rome-based Mr. Thoms

Close-up

Note: First image features New York-based Beau Stanton.

All photos by Houda Lazrak

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The LoMan Art Festival in Downtown Manhattan with: Buff Monster, Beau Stanton, Ludo, Dain & Stikki Peaches, J Corp, Ron English, B.D. White & JPO, Leon Reid and more

August 19, 2015

Earlier this month, the LoMan Art Festival brought not only live art by a wonderfully diverse range of artists to Downtown Manhattan, but also a series of workshops, performances and events. And even though the festival has officially ended, mammoth murals continue to surface on our streets. Here are a few scenes from it all:

Another close-up from Buff Monster‘s huge mural

Beau Stanton at work on mammoth mural on East Third Street

French artist Ludo in the East Village

Dain and Montreal-based artist Stikki Peaches

JCorp at the Social Sticker Club‘s installation inside the Mulberry Street lot during the festival

Ron English with assistance from Solus standing to his right

JPO and B.D. White, one of many collaborations spotted along Mulberry Street

Leon Reid, alongside murals by Team Crash — John Matos, Ananda Nahu and Izolag — and Team BIO — Bio, Nicer and Binho — for the Secret Walls Illustration Battle

Keep posted to the StreetArtNYC Facebook page for more images of the works that have surfaced and continue to do so in Downtown Manhattan through the efforts of the LISA Project.

Photo credits: 1, 3, 5, 6 & 9 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 2 & 4 Tara Murray; 7 Rey Rosa Photography / The LoMan Art Festival and 8 Lois Stavsky

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Street Art NYC at Main Street at the Museum Mohamed VI with C215, Case Maclaim, Tilt, Ron English, Miss Van and Simo Mouhim

June 8, 2015

The following post is by Houda Lazrak, a contributor to StreetArtNYC and an M.A. candidate in Museum Studies at NYU.

In coordination with the street art festival JIDAR Toiles de Rue, the recently opened Museum Mohamed VI of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat, Morocco is currently hosting the exhibit Main Street. Curated by Nicolas Couturieux, it features original artworks and installations from a range of celebrated local and international artists.

Also by C215 from France who drew his inspiration from the people of Morocco

German native Case Maclaim

French artist Tilt — inspired by a Moroccan motorcycle

New York-based Ron English

Moroccan artist Simo Mouhim

Toulouse, France native Miss Van

The exhibit continues through December in the museum’s lower level.

All photos by Houda Lazrak

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Ron English Brings His Vision to the Legendary Houston & Bowery Wall

April 18, 2015

Yesterday famed artist Ron English brought his vision to the legendary wall on Bowery and Houston. We are thrilled that this space is once again serving as Downtown Manhattan’s most exhilarating, rotating, outdoor canvas.

The artist and his mural — to be further enhanced — featuring his iconic Temper Tot and his take on the American flag

Ron English‘s wonderfully sardonic commentary on it all

Another close-up

Note: Ron English continues to work on his mural on Houston and Bowery; he is to begin painting it today, further enhancing his amazing work!

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Ron English

Speaking with the Legendary Pop Surrealist and Street Artist Ron English on the Release of “Big Poppa”

ART STREET 13 WINDOWS 1 WALL at NYU’s Kimmel Windows Gallery with: Art Is Trash, Gilf!, Iena Cruz, Cope2 & Indie 184, Ron English, Cost & Enx, Richard Hambleton and more

Street Art NYC in Rome’s Quadrado Neighborhood with: Beau Stanton, Dilka Bear, Maupal, Ron English, Veks Van Hillik and Mr. Thoms

The LoMan Art Festival in Downtown Manhattan with: Buff Monster, Beau Stanton, Ludo, Dain & Stikki Peaches, J Corp, Ron English, B.D. White & JPO, Leon Reid and more

Street Art NYC at Main Street at the Museum Mohamed VI with C215, Case Maclaim, Tilt, Ron English, Miss Van and Simo Mouhim

Ron English Brings His Vision to the Legendary Houston & Bowery Wall

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