Street Art NYC | From the streets of New York

Jersey City’s Freshly Baked Gallery Presents “Spring Theory” with El Gato Chimney, Ekundayo, Sebas Velasco, Veng and more

March 27, 2014

Just a few minutes from downtown Manhattan, Jersey City’s Freshly Baked Gallery showcases prints and original artworks by an outstanding array of both local and global artists. This Saturday, its most ambitious venture yet, “Spring Theory,” will open from 3 – 8 pm. This is a small sampling of the featured artwork:

Milan native El Gato Chimney

Honolulu native Ekundayo

Spain’s Sebas Velasco

NYC’s Herb Veng Smith

Other artists represented in this exhibit include: Ashes 57, Dulk, Enoe, Emilio Florentine, Uri, Peter Taylor and Jose Mertz. And between 3:30 – and 5:30 you can expect wild floral body painting by Emilio Florentine. Located at 383 Monmouth Street, on the corner of 2nd, Freshly Baked Gallery is a short walk from the Grove Street Path.

All images courtesy of the gallery.

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Speaking with Spain’s Belin in NYC

March 24, 2014

We’ve been huge fans of the Spanish artist Belin since we came upon his collaborative venture with Kingbee up in the Bronx awhile back. More recently, Belin was back in NYC painting in midtown Manhattan. That’s where we caught up with him.

When and where did you start getting up?

I started bombing the southern part of Linares, a small town in Andalusia, Spain in 1995. I was 15 at the time. I first went by the name Slam.

Who or what inspired you at the time?

I was always drawing. But then I discovered a black and white magazine produced at the time called Explicit Graff. It changed my whole mentality. I just wanted to get up in my city!

What was your first graffiti crew?

My first crew was LR—Linares Rompe. There were about three or four of us.

Do you have any particularly memorable graffiti memories from back then?

Yes. I remember getting a call from Lechu, a graffiti writer from Ubeda, Spain. Someone had told him I did graffiti. We talked, and he then rode on his motorcycle to Linares to paint with me. That was the first of many trips that he took! There was also Frejo, who tagged “Rasta.” He was from my same hood. He introduced me to rap and basketball. That was around 1997.

What did your family and friends think about what you were doing?

My family thought nothing of it. And the preppie kids I hung out with in my neighborhood took no interest in what I was doing. My friend was Frejo.

How much time of your time is devoted to art these days?

I work on my art all the time. If I’m not doing it, I’m thinking about it.

What are your thoughts about the graffiti/street art divide?

Graffiti is freehand spray-painted letters. It is a form of street art, but street art is not graffiti. Street artists, like Banksy, often have a political or social agenda. Graffiti is primarily one’s name.

How do you feel about the movement of graffiti and street art going into galleries?

It works for me. It’s art either way. The artist needs to eat, too. Gallerists make money for the artists, as well as for themselves. They know how to talk and sell art. And it’s a lot about knowing how to talk. Unfortunately there are weak artists who sell because someone knows how to talk them up, while others, who are quite good, can’t even get into galleries.

What inspires you these days?

The urban environment inspires me. New York inspires me. There is a lot of energy here. And people are always awake.

How do you feel about collaborations?

It depends. I like to work with other writers on murals. But when I’m in the studio, I like to work alone.

Are there any particular cultures that have influenced your aesthetic?

No. Everything influences me. I watch documentaries. I listen to music. I read the news. I observe people on the streets. It all comes together in my work. My daily life is my inspiration.

Do you have a formal arts education?

No. I failed school. I liked painting and hanging with my friends more. And I was quite athletic. I played a lot of basketball and even got my black belt in karate. I think that’s why I enjoy graffiti so much. It’s about physical movement and creation and beauty. It’s like dancing.

Do you work with a sketch in hand?

I never used to. My work was mostly freestyle. But these days, I like to plan my work in advance.

And you generally satisfied with your work?

Yes!

Have you any thoughts on the role of the Internet in all this?

I feel good about it. It helps my art reach people and it’s a great resource.

How do you feel about the bloggers and photographers of this whole movement?

They are important. They help the artists get places.

Interview conducted by Lenny Collado and edited by Lois Stavsky. Photo credits 1. Lois Stavsky; 2. & 5. Dani Reyes Mozeson; all others courtesy of the artist

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Lady Aiko’s Playful Bunny Party at Red Hook’s Gallery Brooklyn with Closing Party Next Saturday, March 29

March 22, 2014

With a range of stencil artwork on different media — from a skateboard deck to cupboard doors — along with a a playfully seductive mural, Lady Aiko has transformed Red Hook’s Gallery Brooklyn into a magical bunny party. This is a sampling of what can be seen at 351 Van Brundt Avenue through next Saturday.

Kiss

It’s Over

Serious Romance, close-up

Linda

And close-up from huge mural

The exhibit is open Thursday through Saturday, 12-7 and Sunday 12-5. The closing party takes place next Saturday evening, March 29, from 6-10 pm.

Photos of artwork by Lois Stavsky and City-as-School intern Annie Loucka

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Robert Aloia Brings His Curatorial Vision to shny with Cern, Matthew Denton Burrows, Icy and Sot, Leah Weber, Leo Uzai and many more

March 21, 2014

Piece, a wonderfully eclectic exhibit featuring a range of artworks from sketches to completed pieces, remains on exhibit at Spreadhouse through March 28 at 116 Suffolk Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. While most of the artists are familiar to us street art aficionados, some simply have a distinctly urban or outsider sensibility. Curious as to what was going on here, I posed some questions to Robert Aloia who spearheaded the show.

This is a great venue here. Can you tell us something about it?

It is an all-around creative space launched by the film production company, Spreadhouse, aka shny.

How did you discover it? It’s the perfect space to showcase art and its location is ideal.

My friend, the artist Peter Passuntino, had an exhibit here last month, curated by his son Greg. It was the first art show at shny and it introduced me to this space.

What is the concept behind Piece?

This exhibit is my way to showcase this space at Spreadhouse and to give viewers a glimpse into the creative process – from inspiration to finished product. Many of the pieces were created right here!

Among the dozens of artists featured here are many who are active on the streets and others who are new to me. How did you hook up with so many talented folks?

Friends and friends of friends and assistant curators.

What’s ahead?

We’re at work on a number of wide-ranging exhibits. But you can expect to see some street art elements in all of them.

That sounds great. Good luck!

Images: 1. Cern 2. Matthew Denton Burrows 3. Icy and Sot 4. Leah Weber and 5. Leo Uzai

Photos of images by Lois Stavsky

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NYC’s Expressive Doors, Part IV: Ewok, Mor, David Shillinglaw, Jordan Betten, Stikki Peaches, Alice Mizrachi, Jerkface, LMNOP and Ludo

March 19, 2014

This is the fourth in an occasional series featuring images of New York City’s doors that sport everything from tags and stickers to sophisticated images.

Ewok in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Mor in Downtown Manhattan

Long-running David Shillinglaw in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Stikki Peaches in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Jordan Betten in Chelsea

Alice Mizrachi aka AM in abandoned East Village building

Jerkface in Little Italy

LMNOP in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Ludo in Little Italy

Photos of Mor, Jordan Betten, Alice Mizrachi, Jerkface and Ludo by Dani Reyes Mozeson; of Stikki Peaches by Emily Robertson; of Ewok, David Shillinglaw and LMNOP by Lois Stavsky

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Bomarr Presents the Background Noise Podcast Series with Roycer, RAE, Enzo & Nio, OverUnder, Tony Depew, Futura and more

March 17, 2014

Do you ever wonder what music your favorite street artists listen to? Well, Bomarr has the answer! And in addition to presenting first-rate podcasts that share this music with us, the Bomarr Blog also features brief interviews with these artists and selections from their artworks. We love what Matt is doing and recently posed some questions to him:

Tell us something about yourself – your background.

I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire. When I was 21, I moved to Oakland to put out records and tour with my friends on a label called Anticon. We were a very art-focused group of creative and inspiring people. After spending 10 years in the Bay Area, I moved with my now-wife back to the East Coast and have been in NYC ever since.

What spurred this project?

The Background Noise project grew out of my interest in the New York art world. Initially, it was going to solely focus on NYC-based street artists. The NYC art scene in particular has a completely different energy and feel than the Bay Area one, and I sensed it as soon as I landed here. Don’t get me wrong! There’s some great art out there in galleries and on the streets, but again, just a completely different feel. I had seen a few ASVP wheatpastes in San Francisco before I moved, but when I got here, I saw them all over the place, and they seemed to make more sense here. Soon after, I discovered Jim Joe and started, with two friends, a Jim Joe-dedicated site called Cult of Joe, which is now just an Instagram account that I maintain (@cultofjoe) . It was this general interest in what was going on, and a curiosity I had about what sort of music gets the creative juices flowing for artists whose work I enjoy that really started the project.

How do you decide which artists to interview?

It pretty much comes down to people whose work I personally am drawn to and have some sort of respect for. Whether it’s a legend like Futura or the guy who writes Spring Break everywhere, it’s all stuff that I like. It can be mindblowing art, political, or humor-based. It’s all art to me, and if it’s something that sparks my curiousity, I will try to reach out to them to see if they’re interested.

How have the artists responded to this project?

Everyone has responded with great enthusiasm so far. I think what helps is that I’m providing yet another way for these artists to express themselves, which is what artists do. So when given another avenue to do this, they often jump on it right away. Some take longer than others, but they always come through. It’s also great for the artists who have maintained anonymity for quite some time. This still allows them to remain anonymous. I’m not meeting up with them in person, talking to them on the phone, or anything like that. It stays strictly through email, so I think the feeling of safety has really allowed people to be willing to participate. I’ve met quite a few of these people since starting the project because I think it’s built a bit of trust, which is great. But if I never meet some of these people, I’m completely fine with that.

Have any particular responses to your questions surprised you?

I think the only response that has surprised me so far is one from last week’s Futura episode, where I asked him how important he thinks music is to his creative process. I was surprised when he, a legend — who has appeared on a Clash song, recorded music himself, and worked with musical artists such as UNKLE — replied, “Not that important.” But, we all get inspiration in different ways. He has great taste in music, regardless.

Who are some of the other artists you’d like to interview?

I have a laundry list. There are a few I’m actively trying to get, to the point where I might be annoying them. And some of them are long shots, but my wishlist in no particular order: Judith Supine, Jim Joe, ASVP, Paul Insect, Ron English, Neckface, Erik Yahnker, How & Nosm, Icy and Sot, Sheryo + The Yok, Adam Wallacavage, Skullphone, Raymond Pettibon, Cameron Gray, Asger Carlsen, ElSol25, Douglas Kolk, Swampy, David Shrigley, Stinkfish, Theo Rosenblum, Maurizio Cattelan, Trustocorp, Olek, Jean-Paul Malozzi, Faile. If anyone can help me out with any of these, please message me!

What kind of music do you like to listen to?

I literally listen to it all. I’m a bit fan of 80’s synths, whether it’s synth pop or obscure minimal synth music — Gary Numan/Tubeway Army, all that stuff. I love 60s psych rock, hip hop, metal, John Fahey, Fennesz….I’m all over the map.

What do you think of New York City’s current street art scene?

I think it’s great! It’s really starting to gain some momentum too lately. Maybe I wasn’t as in tune with it a couple of years ago, but it seems like there’s a lot going on right now. It’s great seeing things like Hanksy’s Surplus Candy show, another Jim Joe solo show at the Hole, all these shows that Royce Bannon is curating, the Yoav Litvin Outdoor Gallery book. The New York City current street art scene is really bustling, and I think people are going to start to notice even more very soon.

What’s ahead for you?

I’m having a baby girl in a few weeks, so that’s first and foremost on my mind right now. But outside that, I just want to keep this project going for as long as I can. I have a lot of great artists lined up: Jilly Ballistic, Elle, Left Handed Wave, Don Pablo Pedro, C215, Beau, Cash 4, Hellbent, Joseph Meloy, Hanksy, N’DA….all very exciting. Stay tuned!

Congratulations! It all sounds great!

Images with links to their podcasts

1. Roycer 2. RAE 3. Enzo & Nio 4. OverUnder & 5. Tony Depew

Questions for Bomarr by City-as-School intern, Annie Loucka; interview edited by Lois Stavsky.

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“Love Never Saves Anything” — Paintings and Photos by Logan Hicks Continues through March 19 with Artist Talk on Sunday

March 13, 2014

Love Never Saves Anything, a solo exhibit of stencil paintings and photographs by the wonderfully talented Logan Hicks, opened last week during Armory Week and remains on exhibit through Wednesday, March 19. Here’s a small sampling of the haunting stencil paintings on view:

A Drop of Blood Shed

Her Hands Said What her Lips Couldn’t

Behind Her Eyes

Treading Water

Deep Sleep

The following scenes were captured at last week’s opening:

And the artist talk with Logan Hicks, led by Lori Zimmer, will take place 4PM this Sunday, March 16, at the gallery on 154 Stanton Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. This exhibit is the artist’s second solo show with PMM Art Projects.

Photos of artwork by Lois Stavsky and Dea Sumrall; images of opening by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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NYC Sticker Art — Part IV: Screwtape, Skullphone, Kosby, Fling, RAE, Faust, RealAbstract, CB23, Zato and “Sticker Nerds 3” Call for Stickers

March 12, 2014

This is the fourth in a series of occasional posts showcasing sticker art that surfaces on an array of NYC public surfaces:

Screwtape’s homage to Army of One

Skullphone goes small

One of Kosby‘s many musings

Fling’s curious creature

RAE’s lovable, zany character

Faust‘s calligraphic handstyle

Milwaukee-based RealAbstract‘s magnetic sticker

CB 23’s now-iconic character in the rain

Zato’s much-loved fellow

And for those stickerheads who’d like to participate in the upcoming Sticker Nerds 3, organized by the inimitable Skam Sticker, the deadline to get your slaps in is this Friday, March, 14th. Send them to Sticker Nerds 3, Post Office Box 13492, Portland, Oregon 97213.

Photos of NYC sticker art by Lenny Collado, Dani Reyes Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

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Speaking with Lady K-Fever

March 10, 2014

Born in Canada, Lady K-Fever is a NYC-based interdisciplinary artist, art educator and curator. A recipient of numerous grants, she currently works with the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Bronx River Arts Center and the Laundromat Project.

When and where did you start getting up?

I started bombing in Vancouver, Canada in the early 90’s. I got up all over the city. No block was safe.

What inspired you back then?

In 1992, I found The Faith of Graffiti at a thrift shop and bought a bootleg copy of Wild Style. I immediately fell in love with graffiti. I was also into skateboarding at the time, and I was a member of the Riot Grrlzs: The Vancouver Chapter. We were invited to create an installation for an exhibition “Artropolis 1993.” We collaborated to create a graffiti-inspired tag wall about human rights.

What spurred your interest and engagement in social issues?

I was inspired by activism of the Black Panthers and counter culture of the 1960’s & 70’s.

What about graffiti crews? Did you belong to any?

My first crew was the one I created with some of my friends in Vancouver, the ILC crew: The Independent Ladies Crew. I have since put down with lots of other crews: CAC, TLV (the Latin Vandals), IBM, and WOTS. Right now I am down with KD-TDS-INDS.

Any early graffiti memories?

I’ll always remember the first three-color piece/bomb I did on my own. It was all about timing. It was in 1996 in downtown Vancouver, and I had hidden behind a car. I started to paint in the shadow of the car and hide when traffic was coming by. It was a thrill, and I wanted to do more.

When did you first get up in NYC?

My first time painting here was in 2001 at The Phun Phactory before it became 5Pointz. While there, I met so many people and artists who have helped me along my path. I am so grateful that there was a place like that – a place for the global graffiti movement to connect and blossom in New York City.

Have you ever been arrested?

Pleading the 5^th and the 4^th.

Have you exhibited your works?

I began exhibiting my work in galleries in 1993 in Vancouver. In NYC, I have exhibited at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, El Museo del Barrio, Longwood Art Gallery, The Corridor Gallery, Andrew Freedman Home and MoMA.

What percentage of your time is devoted to your artwork?

100 percent. All day. Every day. It’s my life. Life is my art. My art is the facilitation of my experiences as a creative human on this planet. I am inspired and find inspiration all day long.

Have you made money from your work?

I sell pieces, do commissions, apply for grants and residencies, teach and consult with museums and arts organizations, speak at schools and conduct workshops. Hustle is hustle.

Any thoughts about the so-called graffiti/street art divide?

The boundaries continue to blur. I thought we all fought hard for graffiti to be considered “art”. A writer is a writer; an artist is an artist. Both are valid and beautiful and all artists have the right to decide how they want to be identified. What I do not like is the dogma and the prejudices that arise. If graffiti and street art are ultimately forms of freedom of expression, then what really is going on?

Do you prefer working alone or working with others?

Both. I like working alone, and I like the interaction that happens when artists work together. I go through phases.

Do you have a formal arts education?

Yes and no. I studied fine art in high school and in college, but I formally went on to major in Theatre. I worked as a studio assistant with a Canadian pottery artist and as a scenic painter on film/TV sets to gain art trade skills.

What is the riskiest thing you’ve done?

I have done a lot of risky things. On my last day in Toronto, I did a bridge piece along a highway in downtown Toronto. I wrote the name Lady K Fever in huge letters on the whole bridge. As I was finishing, I saw a set of police lights flash across the highway. I ran and hid all the way home. That was my exit from Toronto.

Are there any particular cultures that have influenced your aesthetic?

I’m influenced by all cultures. I go through inspirational phases. I love texture and color. I like to work with Indian, African and Mexican fabrics and designs. Music is also an influence – its sounds, beats and lyrics.

Are you generally satisfied with a finished piece?

Yes and no. Sometimes, I just have to walk away and move on to the next.

How has your work evolved throughout the years?

I continue to refine my style and explore concepts.

How would you describe the role of the artist in society?

The artist’s role is to tell stories through personal and collective reflections and responses and to raise questions. The artist is a messenger of universal truth who challenges others to see and acknowledge what they might not want to

Interview with Lady K-Fever conducted by Lenny Collado and edited by Lois Stavsky; photo credits 1. Lenny Collado; 2. Tara Murray; 3 – 5. courtesy of the artist

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SCOPE New York 2014 with Judith Supine, Beau Stanton, My Dog Sighs, Stormie Mills, Know Hope, Peeta, Mark Jenkins, Banksy and more

March 8, 2014

Featured in SCOPE New York 2014 are over 30 artists who are, also, active on our cities’ streets. Here’s a small sampling:

Judith Supine at Black Book Gallery

Beau Stanton at Moniker Projects

My Dog Sighs at Vertical Gallery

Stormie Mills at Vertical Gallery

Know Hope at Thinkspace Gallery

Peeta at C.A.V.E. Gallery

Mark Jenkins at Fabien Castanier

And Banksy at ArtNow NY

Located at 312 West 33rd St between 8th & 9th Ave, the fair continues through tomorrow, Sunday, March 9. General admission is $25.00; student admission is $15.00.

Photos of artworks by Dani Reyes Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

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