Interspersed among some of the drabbest streets in the South Bronx Mott Haven-Port Morris neighborhood is an intriguing array of public art. Here’s a a sampling:
Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz, Wepa Woman
Seth Mathurin, Bronx Bull
Unidentified artist has money falling from trees!
Dennesa Usher, Unlock Your Dreams, close-up
Photos: 1-3 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 4 City-as-School intern Zachariah Messaoud
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Founded by John Matos aka Crash and Robert Kantor and directed by Anna Matos, WallWorks NY is a wonderful new gallery space at 39 Bruckner Boulevard in the South Bronx. While visiting its current — and final — unofficial exhibit, Open Gallery, we had the opportunity to speak to Anna.
When did WallWorks NY open?
We had our first “unofficial” opening exhibition, First Taste, on September 12. Its focus was on promoting street art and graffiti as a viable art form within galleries and museums. Among the many local and international artists whose works were featured were: Daze, Futura, Nick Walker, Stash and TATS CRU members: Bio, Nicer and BG 183. This was followed by Point. Focus. Click. featuring photos – that had never been exhibited before — by such photographers as Henry Chalfant, Martha Cooper, Joe Conzo, David Gonzalez, Lisa Kahane, Francisco Reyes II and Ricky Flores.
This current exhibit, Open Gallery, introduces us to many new artists.
Yes. It’s our final show before our official opening next month. Along with works by emerging local artists in Open Gallery, are artworks in various media by artists from around the country – many of whom had never exhibited their works in a gallery setting before.
How have these “unofficial” openings gone?
The response has been great. And the success that we’ve achieved so far is more than we could have imagined!
Why did you choose to open a gallery in the South Bronx?
Why not the South Bronx? Its history is so rich, and hopefully we will encourage people to visit it.
What is WallWork’s NY’s mission?
In the experimental and explorative vein of Fashion MODA, we want to exhibit new and exciting work from both emerging and established artists.
How did this space come to be?
My father, Crash, had dreamed for a long time of opening a gallery, and I loved the idea of directing one. On our trips into the city, we repeatedly passed this empty space on Bruckner Boulevard – that we saw as a potential site for a gallery. After discussing it with an art dealer in Paris last summer, my father said, “Let’s do it!” And then a partnership with entrepreneur Robert Kantor made it possible for my father to realize his dream.
What experiences and skills do you bring to your position as gallery director?
I grew up around art. As a child, I regularly accompanied by father to his studio – where I would sit and draw. For a long time, in fact, I thought I would be an artist. But as a senior in high school, I discovered that I was more interested in the concepts behind the art than in creating art. I then majored in Art History with a double minor of Philosophy and Black Studies at Fairfield University, and after graduating from college, I studied Art Business at FIT. And in addition to several internships, including one as Special Project Manager the Jonathan LeVine Gallery, I served as a liaison for my father, assisting him in everything from creating a strong social media presence to installing and selling art. I see myself as someone who is committed to each artist’s personal development and financial success — as well as to the success of the gallery.
What’s ahead?
Our official launch takes place on next Saturday, January 10, with Ikonoklasts, featuring never-before-seen works by three legendary NYC artists: A-One, Dondi White and Rammallzee. Following Ikonoklasts will be our first solo show featuring works on canvas by Nicer of TATS CRU.
That sounds wonderful! We are looking forward!
Interview conducted by City-as-School intern Zachariah Messaoud and edited by Lois Stavsky; photos by Lois Stavsky
Photos
1. TATS CRU
2. Anna Matos, gallery director
3. Such Styles
4. Buz163
5. Funqest
Note: Open Gallery continues until January 7 at 39 Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx.
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A stunningly evocative selection of life-like sculptures by John Ahearn, made in collaboration with Rigoberto Torres, is currently on exhibit at Alexander and Bonin at 132 10th Avenue in Chelsea. Fashioned between 1981 through 1991, the works on display are an ode to the spirit and soul of the folks who called the South Bronx home during that decade.
Raymond
Luis and Virginia Arroyo
Lazaro
Freddy with Cigarette
Kate
Titi in the Window
The exhibit continues through February 22 at 132 Tenth Avenue in Chelsea.
Photos of images by Dani Reyes Mozeson; the first sculpture pictured here, Double Dutch, can be seen at Intervale Avenue and Kelly Street in the South Bronx.
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From August 19 – August 25, Los Muros Hablan, an international urban arts festival, gave a voice to silent, empty walls in East Harlem and the South Bronx. Presented by La Repuesta, a leading Puerto Rican cultural space, Los Muros Hablan NYC, featured a wonderfully eclectic group of global artists.
Axel Void, 201 East 103rd Street in East Harlem
Pastel, 138 Street & Grand Concourse in the South Bronx — close-up from huge mural captured via instagram
Celso Gonzalez and Roberto Biaggi, 54 East 116th Street in East Harlem
Viajero, 2022 Third Avenue in East Harlem
Rimx,154 East 100th Street, as seen in progress last week
Betsy Casañas, 1664 Park Avenue in East Harlem
LNY, 195 East 100th Street in East Harlem
Jufe, 2018 Third Avenue in East Harlem
Elian, 138 Street & Grand Concourse in the South Bronx
Photos by Dani Mozeson & Lois Stavsky; keep posted to our Facebook page for more images of the completed murals from this week-long Los Muros Hablan NYC event presented in collaboration with Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito and El Museo del Barrio.
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Some of the most mesmerizing and enigmatic pieces by the Perre twins aka How and Nosm can be found on the walls of Hunts Point’s industrial district in the South Bronx. Here are a few close-ups:
Photos by Street Art NYC
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