urban art

Back to Freeman Alley With: Lasak, Mattaya Fitts, Abe Bx, Rat Rockster & Ikas, Luch, Komodo, Qazar and More

July 25, 2023

I returned to Freeman Alley this past Sunday to discover a wonderfully diverse range of artworks in varied media, along with artists from near and far at work. Pictured above is the lovely Ecuadorian nomadic artist Lasak. Several more findings follow:

Boston native Mattaya Fitts

Bronx native Abe Bx

Italian artists Rat Rockster and Ikas leaving their mark in the alley as they pass through NYC

Colombian artist Luch pays homage to his hometown Valle de Cocora

The spirit of Indonesia from Komodo

An surprise visit from the prolific mark-maker Qzar

And one of several sticker combos

Photos: Lois Stavsky

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“Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” Presents a Remarkable Chapter in the Ongoing Ventures of “Dripped On the Road” Productions

June 20, 2023

As COVID-19 was raging back in 2020, Dripped On The Road, a traveling artist residency program, brought 14 murals to Indiana, Pennsylvania. Within two weeks, the artists transformed the town’s visual landscape, while embracing and uplifting its residents. In the course of their remarkable residency, they learned first-hand about Indiana’s distinct history and painted murals that utterly reflected it.

Featuring resident artists Damien Mitchell, Sarah Rutherford, Evan Lovett, Riiisa Boogie, along with program directors and artists Ramiro Davaro-Comas, Jonathan Neville and Denton Burrows, the acclaimed documentary “Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” — directed by OWLEY Studios — chronicles these two weeks.

Not only did the seven artists uplift the town’s spirit and enhance its appearance, but they also conducted workshops with youth using non-toxic spray paint and upcycled materials. And they planted trees that “will live on even after the murals are gone.” Sustainable painting practices and environmental responsibility are essential, the documentary affirms, to Dripped On The Road‘s mission. We are cautioned that one needs to be mindful of the environment when painting public art.

“Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” brilliantly captures the mutual respect and appreciation that developed between the artists and the members of the Indiana community as the project evolved. The artists clearly “felt the pulse of the people,” and the Indiana residents showered them with gratitude in return.

Founded in 2016, Dripped On The Road artists have have painted over 100 murals and traveled over 12,000 miles.“Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” is a moving, impressive ode to its multiple missions and a particular paean to this distinctly vital project. It is also a model for public art that too often becomes too commercial.

Note: The NYC public premiere of “Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” was held on April 27 at the Anthology Film Archives, featuring resident artists Damien Mitchell, Sarah Rutherford, Evan Lovett and Riiisa Boogie, followed by a Q & A moderated by UP Magazine editor T. K. Mills. We are looking forward to further showings in the NY metropolitan area.

Images:

The crew in front of Denton Burrows‘ mural
Evan Lovett
Sarah Rutherford
Damien Mitchell
Riiisa Boogie
Jonathan Neville w/ Indiana, PA youth
Damien Mitchell

Post by Lois Stavsky and and City-as-School intern Antonio Gomez; all photos courtesy Dripped On The Road.

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“DC Walls” Brings Further Intrigue to NoMa: Luther Wright, Stevie Shao, Grace, Jarus, Nicole Bourgea and Tommii Lin

May 23, 2023

On our recent visit to DC, we came upon several tantalizing new murals that had surfaced within the past few months at the DC Walls Festival in the ever-evolving NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood. The mural pictured above — featuring a jazz musicians trio and a portrait inspired by AP*ART — was painted by DC-based artist and activist Luther Wright. Several more images captured while exploring NoMa follow:

Seattle-based Chinese-American illustrator and muralist Stevie Shao

Masterful graffiti writer and photorealistic painter Grace

The itinerant Canadian-born muralist Emmanuel Jarus

DC area muralist Nicole Bourgea

LA-based artist Tommi Lin, now on a 2023 International Mural Tour

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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“PHASE 2: Myth Conception…” Continues Through June 30 at ACA Galleries in Chelsea

May 9, 2023

Currently on view at ACA Galleries in Chelsea, “PHASE 2: Myth Conception…” traces the development of the late visionary stylemaster’s distinct aesthetic from 1972 through 2019. Among the artist’s wide-ranging works included in this hugely comprehensive survey are: PHASE 2‘s hip-hop flyers, IGTimes graphics, varied works on paper, embossed aluminum plates and tantalizing sculptures — in addition to his works on canvas and plywood.

A first generation writer and hip-hop pioneer, PHASE 2 evolved into an astonishingly innovative contemporary artist, blurring the lines between style writing, urban art and fine art. Intricate and immensely intriguing, the works that he created in the last decade of his life exude a distinctly esoteric beauty.

“Don 101,” the image pictured above, was rendered back in 2008 with with ink marker on IGTimes, vol.4. What follows are several of PHASE 2‘s later works on canvas and plywood — all elegantly displayed at ACA Galleries.

“Interplanetary Deity 2,” ca. 2016, Paint marker, spray paint and acrylic on canvas

“Untitled,” Paint marker, spray paint and acrylic on plywood

“Implosion 2.” 2015, Paint marker, spray paint and acrylic on canvas

“Chromatic Implosion,” ca. 2016, Paint marker and spray paint on canvas

“Untitled 3,” 2010, Mixed media on plywood

“Another Time and Space,” ca 2013, Paint marker, spray paint and acrylic on canvas

T.O.N.Y Oy/Not/Vehme/Yeldi, 2016, spray paint and acrylic on canvas

T.O.N.Y Oy/Not/Vehme/Yeldi, 2016, spray paint and acrylic on canvas, detail

Curated by ACA Galleries curator Mikaela Sardo Lamarche and IGTimes founder David Schmidlapp, “PHASE 2: Myth Conception…” can be viewed Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00am – 6:00pm at ACA Galleries, 529 West 20th Street,

Note:

Thursday May 11th @ 7pm
“Funky Nous Deco” and Beyond
Special presentation of PHASE 2 graphic works from his seminal hip hop fliers, IGTimes and album covers to his digital installations and backdrops with Pete Nice, Co-Curator, Universal Hip Hop Museum and David Schmidlapp, founder of the IGTimes and special guests.

Photos of artworks by with City-As-School intern Antonio Gomez and Lois Stavsky

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SEAPORT MURALFEST 2023 Brings Ten Dazzling New “You Are Not Alone” Murals to South Street Seaport

April 25, 2023

Inspiring positive vibes and sparking conversations about mental health, ten artists were busy last week fashioning a wonderfully diverse array of murals at South Street Seaport. Conceived and curated by designer, illustrator and muralist Annica Lydenberg aka Dirty Bandits and mental health advocate and author Samantha Schutz, the project suggests that we are all connected through our common humanity and, therefore, never alone.

The image featured above was designed by the Chinese American artist Zipeng Zhu aka Mr.Dazzle. Several more images of newly designed “You Are Not Alone” murals follow:

Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Sally Rumble

Dominican-American visual artist and graffiti writer Indie 184

Brazilian designer and visual artist Cristina Pagnoncelli aka CRISPA

NYC-based type designer and educator Lynne Yun

The prolific Brooklyn-based designer and visual artist Jason Naylor

NYC-based lettering artist and designer Alanna Flowers

Filipino-American multidisciplinary artist Richard Tumang

NYC-based multidisciplinary artist Marco Santini

Brooklyn-based Japanese American artist Adam Fu

And a message from project co-founder Dirty Bandits

Stay posted to the Street Art NYC Instagram for images of Priority Bicycles — designed by six of the artists — that will be used for “Priority Delivers” in honor of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month and Bicycle Month.

Photos: Lois Stavsky

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The Newly Launched Soi Books Celebrates Distinctly Creative Urban Artists from Across the Globe in Mini-Documentary Editions

April 19, 2023

Soi Books, a new series of delightfully curated mini books, celebrates a diverse range of hugely talented urban artists from across the globe. The artists’ varied works, distinct stories and personal histories are at once alluring and provocative. And not only do these booklets introduce us to these artists’ creations, but they acquaint us with the particular cultures and places that inspired them.

Among Soi Books,s newly published editions is TILL WE MEET AGAIN presenting an enticing array of artwork by the distinctly skilled Swiss-Peruvian woodblock printer Tania Brun. Included too is a variety of photographs — offering insights into her and her family’s lives. Crisp and infectious, Tania’s aesthetic largely reflects her Andean heritage.

“We used to live in a small town in Puno, where my father was a priest,” she relates. “He always taught us to appreciate the people of the Andes and not to take advantage of being half-Swiss.”

Another of Soi Books,’s inaugural editions focuses on the prolific Italian graffiti crew, SOOL. Curated in a feverishly frenetic and playful mode, the booklet, SOOL BOOMB BOOK, brilliantly captures the talents, energies and adventures of multimedia artists Claudio, Marco and Nicola who hail from the mountains of Northern Italy.

SUPER STRIKE presents a glimpse into Suiko, a wonderfully versatile artist who hails from Hiroshimo. With photos documenting the artist in a range of settings from his studio in Hiroshima to the streets of Nepal, along with engaging, informative text and images of hugely impressive artworks, SUPER STRIKE both educates and and inspires.

CHIP7LAND, the edition focusing on Bangkok-based Thai-American painter and Mayhen crew founder CHIP7, presents – in addition to photographs and random musings – masterful images of futuristic landscapes representing a fusion of Western and Eastern sensibilities.

And all of the booklets also give us a glimpse into the artists at work, providing further insights into the creative process.

To find out more about about these Soi Books, discover others, and find out how you can get your artwork published, check here.

All images courtey of the publisher

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Boldly Stylish Graffiti Dazzles in Getafe, Madrid

April 4, 2023

We’ve become huge fans of Getafe’s ever-evolving, striking graffiti walls. On my recent trip, I revisited the Madrid municipality and came upon a wide range of exuberant new graffiti art amid huge graffiti productions. The image featured above was fashioned by Rikams TFC93 and Chema Rodriguez. What follows is a small sampling of what greeted us:

Close-up from huge, tantalizing production

Unidentified artist

Unidentified artists

Close-up from huge production

Another close-up

Photos by Lois Stavsky and Sara C Mozeson

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Captivating Graffiti Graces Abandoned Property in Illescas, Spain

March 23, 2023

While driving through the central Spanish city of Illescas, we came upon a huge abandoned property covered with a captivating array of graffiti art. Pictured above is one of the many handsomely crafted burners. Several more artworks in a range of styles follow:

Oca Rubinho

Unidentified artist

Another alluring burner

Varied bombs, tags & more

And on a different note — Jesús Moreno

Photos of artworks by Sara C Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

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At “Museo de Arte Urbano de Fuenlabrada (MAUF)” with: Morse, Felipe Pantone, Lula Goce, El Niño de las Pinturas, Okuda, Amaia Arranzola and FREEgoodzilla

March 8, 2023

Located a short distance south of Madrid’s capital, the city of Fuenlabrada hosts an eclectic range of huge, enticing murals. The image featured above, titled Cambios, was fashioned by the Spanish artist Manuel J. Hernández Miguel aka Morse. Several more murals we encountered last week while exploring the streets of Fuenlabrada follow:

Argentina-born, Spain-bred abstract artist Felipe Pantone, “OPTICHROMIE FNLBRD”

Spanish artist Lula Goce, “Luz”

Spanish artist Raúl Ruiz aka El Niño de las Pinturas, close-up from huge mural “Armonía Cósmica”

Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel, “Where Is Okuda?”

Barcelona-based artist Amaia Arranzola, “Viva la Diversidad”

Spanish duo FREEgoodzilla — Klan One and Cafre —“Near Posterus”

Photos by Lois Stavsky and Sara C Mozeson

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Faces in NYC Open Spaces: Jorit, Toofly, Muebon, Blanco, Vince Ballentine, Albertus Joseph and Lexi Bella

February 21, 2023

Pictured above is a segment from Italian artist Jorit‘s superb visual ode to hip-hop legend KRS-One. Several more images of faces that have surfaced on NYC public spaces in the past few months follow:

Ecuadorian artist Toofly in Astoria, Queens with the Welling Court Mural Project