sidewalk art

PAUL-RICHARD-GENTLEMAN (1)

Opening this evening at 212 ARTS is DRIP, a solo exhibit by the iconic NYC-based artist Paul Richard. An outstanding representational painter, Paul Richard is best known to us street art aficionados for his drip paintings that surface on NYC sidewalks. While visiting the exhibit yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to 212 ARTS gallerist, Marc Leader.

This is such an elegantly handsome show! What spurred you to feature an exhibit of Paul Richard‘s works?

Paul has been an iconic figure in NYC culture for over 20 years. Although low-key, he is also subtly prolific. And this is his first NYC exhibit in five years.

paul-richard-art-on-door

How did you decide which artworks to include in the exhibit?

About one year ago, Paul and I began discussing the concept of an exhibit featuring his work at 212 ARTS. Then Paul ran with it. He created a few dozen new works, and together we decided which ones to feature.

paul-richard-urban-tank

How many are included in DRIP?

There are two dozen works of varying sizes.

paul-richard-commuter

It is always a thrill to glance down to the pavement and come upon one of Paul Richard‘s iconic faces!

Yes! Even before he first moved to New York in 1997, Paul Richard recognized that people constantly scan the ground in front of them — making it the perfect place to find an audience.

Paul-Richard-pavement-art

It’s great to see your gallery continue to bring a diverse range of first-rate artists — who remain active on our streets — to its East Village home. To what do you attribute its success?

It’s the passion we bring to our projects.

Paul-richard-opening-212-arts

Photos of artworks and interview by Lois Stavsky

{ 0 comments }

Even the pavement speaks here in NYC — with everything from intriguing images to poetic prose to political messages. Here’s a sampling:

Hunt Rodriguez in Bushwick

"Hunt Rodriguez"

stikman in Chelsea

stikman

A political statement in Williamsburg

save-syria-now

Chris and Veng RWK in the East Village

Chris-and-Veng-RWK-pavement-street-art

An excerpt from The Bell Jar, the only novel penned by the acclaimed American poet and writer Sylvia Plath

sylvia-plath-poem-on-pavement

Anthony Lister in Bushwick

Anthony-lister-pavement-street-art-nyc

Unidentified stencil art on Chelsea sidewalk

stencil-pavement-street-art-NYC

A reference to Gaza on the Upper West Side

political-art-on-nyc-pavement-street-art

And a political statement in Bushwick

NYC-political-street-art-pavement

Photos — 1, 2, 6-9 by Lois Stavsky; 3 – 5 by Dani Reyes Mozeson

{ 0 comments }