Within the same 10-block radius of Bushwick’s vibrant graffiti walls are some of NYC’s most expressive street art pieces. While many are fashioned by locals, others are the work of artists from abroad who leave their mark on Bushwick’s walls. These range from C215’s 2009 seductive stencils – some of which we’ve only recently uncovered — to huge pieces by ROA on some of Bushwick’s grittier walls.
C215
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The walls of Bushwick, Brooklyn — off the L train’s Morgan Avenue and Jefferson Street stops — have become a canvas not only for the most innovative street art to surface in NYC, but also for some of its freshest writing styles.
Deem and Rubin415
Rubin415
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Often affixed to street signs and sometimes just pasted onto public surfaces, Russell King’s images — sometimes amusing and always alluring — have become an integral part of New York City’s visual landscape. This past week, Street Art NYC met and spoke with the artist in downtown Manhattan.
When did you first begin hitting the streets?
When I was 14, I tried doing graffiti, but I had such a despicable handwriting that I soon gave up. I even followed my friend’s advice and tried copying some of the girls’ nice handwritings, but it was hopeless.
We began noticing your images on the streets about two years ago. What inspired you to get your pieces up in the public sphere? We’ve seen them on stickers, paste-ups and as impressive installations.
Matt Siren, whom I’ve known for years, invited me to collaborate with him on a piece for a show in Greenpoint a while back. That was the beginning. Then I began to see the streets as the ideal alternative to galleries. More people get to see my artwork on the streets than they’d ever see it on gallery walls. And it’s a way of getting the message out to galleries, “I don’t need you for exposure.”
Have you any favorite spots?
Anywhere is just fine, but I especially like the blocks between Houston and Delancey on the Lower East Side.
What materials do you like to work with?
Metal and ink are probably my favorites. And I love working with spraypaint for the backgrounds.
At first we used to see social commentary, along with your images. These days it’s mostly portraits of women – quite a range of them. What happened to the words?
I felt that I was preaching to the choir. The folks who liked the street art didn’t need the messages, and the others just didn’t get it. I prefer presenting the public with an alluring image—or series of images like the ones I’m working on now — instead.
Who are these women who keep surfacing on your pieces? And why women?
I started drawing women as an attempt to win back my ex. She was the first image I ever did on a piece. It didn’t work. Now I just draw women in a lame attempt to draw women to me.
We’ve noticed some of your collaborations with Royce Bannon. Have you collaborated with other artists?
I’ve also collaborated on pieces with Matt Siren and Mike Die.
Have you any favorite pieces of your own?
Always the last one that I’ve completed.
Have you ever been arrested or had any confrontations with police?
No. When they stop me, I feign stupidity. Really, why should it be legal to bolt a bike onto a pole, but not a piece or art that others can enjoy?
When did you first become interested in art?
I suppose I was always interested, but I squelched my passion for many years. I will never forget the words of my third grade teacher. “Art is bad,” she said. “Do not become an artist. You can’t make money from art.”
We’re glad you got over that! Have you any formal art training or are you self-taught?
I majored in Art as an undergraduate at Long Island University and then studied Drawing and Sculpture at the NY Academy of Art.
Any favorite artists?
Jacopo Pontormo, the Florentine painter and portraitist, is always an inspiration. And I also love the American illustrator, J. L. Leyendecker.
Have you ever exhibited your artwork in a gallery or private space?
I have a few pieces now at Woodward Gallery’s “Rather Unique” exhibit, curated by Royce Bannon. And I’m preparing for an upcoming exhibit in Reno, Nevada. I’ve also sold artwork through Sotheby’s.
Any other hobbies? Or passions?
Well, I’m an avid Jets fan with season’s ticket. But that’s because I love punishment.
What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
Same thing I’m doing now – just more of it!
Well, good luck! And we look forward to seeing more of your work here on the streets of NYC.
Photos by Street Art NYC, Tara Murray & RK
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Faile’s vibrant, bold mural on the corner of the Bowery and Houston Street, installed in late October, continues to capture passersby daily. A few blocks south at Opera Gallery NY, some of their small work — ranging from simple portraits to riveting collages — can be seen in the group exhibit Making Faces through February 19th.
On the Bowery and Houston, installation close-up, fall 2011
At Opera Gallery NY
photos by Dani Mozeson & Tara Murray
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Based these days in Brooklyn, New York, Imminent Disaster has been gracing NYC walls and galleries with her exquisite wheatpastes, woodcuts, intricate paper cuts and screen prints for the past few years. Here’s a glimpse of both:
In Red Hook
In Bushwick
At KESTING/RAY through February 5th at 30 Grand Street in NYC’s SoHo district
Photos by Street Art NYC
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An early master of the graffiti movement, Daze’s first pieces surfaced on the walls and trains of NYC in the late 1970’s. Since, his artwork has been exhibited internationally and can be found in the permanent collections of museums around the world. Yet, Daze still gets up in the streets, where his work was recently spotted in the South Bronx and in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
In the South Bronx
In Greenpoint
photos by Street Art NYC & Samantha Sabatino
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While Roa’s huge, wondrous black and white murals continue to grace massive walls in New York City, one of his smaller pieces can be seen mounted onto the walls of the Jonathan LeVine Gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea gallery district. Hybrid Thinking a group exhibition curated by Marc and Sara Schiller of Wooster Collective, features Roa’s signature animals painted on multiple panels. We were riveted.
In Williamsburg
In Bushwick
At the Jonathan LeVine Gallery
With doors open
photos by Street Art NYC
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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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Amidst the weathered bombs, tags and memorial walls on one of Bedford-Stuyvesant’s bleakest blocks, we came upon this fresh piece by Brooklyn-based street artist, Specter:
Photo by Street Art NYC
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