A few years back, a distinct jaw crafted onto a range of tantalizing backgrounds — signed Hellbent — began to surface on boards posted onto sundry surfaces on NYC streets. These days, Hellbent’s enticing, evolving visual rhythms increasingly grace large walls, as well. We recently had the opportunity to visit Hellbent’s studio and pose a few questions to him:
We love your wondrously inventive abstract artwork that recently surfaced on the streets of Bushwick and at Welling Court. But — I suppose — many of us will always identify you with your iconic jaw bone. Could you tell us something about it?
The idea of the jaw came to me about five or six years ago. It was inspired by a story I read about Freud’s battle with jaw cancer and how – early into his diagnosis – he was saved by a dwarf, a hospital roommate who alerted the physicians when a speechless Freud was hemorrhaging. Besides its reference to psychoanalysis, the jaw also suggests basic human functions such as speaking and eating. More after the jump!
Some wonderful walls have recently surfaced in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Here is a sampling:
Belgian artist Roa
More after the jump!
Two sumptuous walls surfaced in downtown Manhattan earlier this week. DALeast graced the exterior of Rag and Bone with his distinct vision, and his wife, the legendary South African street artist Faith47, graced a huge wall on East 2nd Street, part of Fourth Arts Block’s public art program with MaNY.
More after the jump!
Within the last year, New York City’s High Line — a huge public park atop an elevated rail structure — has evolved into one of the city’s most intriguing open-air galleries. Stretching from Manhattan’s Meatpacking District to Midtown, it features views of an eclectic range of both commissioned and unsanctioned pieces. Here are a few images recently captured:
NYC-based artist Jordan Betten
More after the jump!
This is the third in an occasional series of images of girls — and women — who grace New York City’s walls:
Nick Walker in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District
More after the jump!
A Mecca of aerosol art, Long Island City’s 5Pointz attracts not only local artists, but also those from across the globe, offering a transitory legal home to a diverse range — from Old School graff writers to modern muralists. Here are some recent sightings:
Olivier Bonhomme from Lyon, France
More after the jump!
This is the first in a series of ongoing posts featuring the diverse range of stylish trucks that strike NYC streets:
Queens native Cern
More after the jump!
On his recent brief visit to New York City, Sheffield-based artist Phlegm transformed the visual landscape of a Chelsea playground — adjacent to a public housing project on West 17th Street. We can’t get enough of it!
More after the jump!
A self-described artist, designer and entrepreneur, Toofly is best-known for her signature character that has made its way onto walls across the globe, as well as onto a range of fashion items. We had the opportunity to meet up with Toofly this past week and ask her a few questions.
Your alluring character has been surfacing all around town. We’ve recently seen her in Williamsburg, at Welling Court, at 5Pointz and even on a Lower East Side rooftop. Can you tell us something about her?
She’s kind of like my alter ego. An outlet where I can express my emotion and ideas. She was once tough and with an attitude, but she has mellowed down over the years. And, like me, she is continually evolving.
More after the jump!
