Brimming with stylish graffiti, witty stencil art and a wonderfully eclectic mix of murals, Bristol has it all! Here is a small sampling of images that we captured earlier this month:
Bristol-based Sepr
Bristol native Nick Walker
Bristol’s legendary Banksy, “Well-Hung Lover”
Bristol-based Philth and UK artist N4T4
Bristol-based Jody Thomas
Bristol-based Epok
Bristol-based Soker
Photo credits: 1, 4-7 Tara Murray; 2 & 3 Lois Stavsky
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The noted French artist SP38 made his NYC debut this past week at the Quin Hotel on West 57th Street. Curated by DK Johnston, SP38‘s exhibit, Escape (Legalize Freedom), features the artist’s iconic text-based works that continue to surface across the globe. While visiting the Quin Thursday evening, I had the opportunity to speak to the artist.
You are currently based in Berlin. What brought you there? And what prompted you to stay?
I first came to Berlin 20 years ago. There was so much empty space at the time, and the city — after the German reunification — was especially welcoming to artists. Before moving to Berlin, I had been living in artist squats in Paris.
The streets are the principal canvas for your urban poetry. Why the streets?
It is the best way for me to get my message across to the world. The streets allow me to reach so many people.
Among your statements that have surfaced in public spaces are: “ESCAPE,” “OCCUPY,” “SLAVES,” “VIVE LA BOURGEOISIE,” “NO PROPAGANDA,” “NO MONEY NO ART” and “I DON’T WANT TO BE U’RE FRIEND ON FACEBOOK.” The name of this exhibit here at the Quin, in fact, is ESCAPE (Legalize Freedom). What is your intent in putting these messages out there?
I am interested in provoking a reaction. I want folks to think about what is happening. And I use humor and sarcasm because I also want to make them laugh.
Have you any favorite surfaces?
I love old doors and new walls. I focus on how my message will work within its immediate environment, as well as its general surroundings.
Besides Berlin, where else have you gotten up? And how have folks responded to your work?
I’ve brought my urban poetry to Seoul, Ragoon, Montreal, Bristol, Santiago and the Philippines. The response has always been positive!
How has your work evolved since you first started sharing it on public spaces?
As I get older, it has become cleaner and more simple. I especially like writing on white paper.
What about NYC? What is your impression of our city?
I love it! It is a mix of everything cool!
Escape (Legalize Freedom) remains on view at The Quin Hotel, 101 West 57th Street at Sixth Avenue.
Photo credits: 1, 3 and 5 via artist’s Instagram; 2 and 4 (close-up from video wall) at the Quin by Lois Stavsky; interview by Lois Stavsky
Note: Images 3 & 5 on the streets of Berlin
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This is Part II of street art and graffiti images — reflecting a wildly diverse range of aesthetic and cultural sensibilities — that we came upon in London last week:
Belgian artist Joachim and Bogota-based Stinkfish
Chilean artist Otto Schade
London-based Cityzen Kane, close-up from 3D installation in memory of his son
UK-based Phlegm, close-up
Irish artist Conor Harrington
The legendary Berlin Wall artist Thierry Noir
Brazilian artist Cranio and UK-based My Dog Sighs
Bristol-based Spzero76 and London-based Captain Kris at work in Shoreditch
Brazilian artist Bailon
Photo credits: 1 – 3, 5 – 8 Tara Murray; 4 & 9 Lois Stavsky
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Drawing artists from across the globe, alongside its diverse mix of local artists, London’s walls reflect a wildly varied range of aesthetic sensibilities. Here’s a sampling of what we viewed last week:
London-based David Walker and Barcelona native Pez to the side
London-based Stik in front of long-running mural
French artist Vinie
Argentinian artist Martin Ron
Chilean artists Jekse & Cines
Puerto Rican artist Alexis Diaz and Argentinean artist Elian
Dutch duo TelmoMiel
Note: Part II to follow
Photo credits: 1 – 3 Tara Murray; 4 – 7 Lois Stavsky
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Coinciding with On Our Hands, his solo exhibit of mixed media paintings opening tomorrow evening at Chelsea’s Jacob Lewis Gallery, Shepard Fairey is bringing his distinct aesthetic to two Mana Contemporary spaces in Jersey City. The following photos were captured earlier this week by Audrey Connolly aka byte girl at the Mana Ice House, 581 Monmouth Street:
At work with spray can in hand
On a brief, contemplative break
And at work with his crew
The mural in its final stages — representing Shepard Fairey’s aesthetic vision fusing Russian Constructivism, Chinese Communist propaganda and Americana
All photos by bytegirl
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This is the tenth in an occasional series of posts featuring the range of faces in different media that have surfaced in NYC public spaces:
New Zealand-based Owen Dippie in Bushwick, Brooklyn
UK-based multimedia artist Ryan Gander on the High Line
Alice Mizrachi, captured at work this past June in the East Village
How & Nosm and Tristan Eaton in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
German artist Hendrik Beikirch aka ECB in Bushwick, Brooklyn
Bogota-based Australian artist Crisp in Brooklyn
Chris Soria and Joel Bergner aka Joel Artista in Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hong Kong-based Caratoes in Bushwick, Brooklyn
Photo credits: 1, 4 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 2 & 8 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 3, 6 & 7 Tara Murray
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On our brief visit to Dublin, Ireland, we discovered a vibrant street art and graffiti scene teeming with infectious images. Here are a few more:
Cork, Ireland native Fin DAC, whose aesthetic we first came upon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Dublin-based James Earley, close-up
Dublin-based Fink
Irish illustrator and painter Dan Leo
South African native MARCAMIX aka bryite1one
Belfast-based Friz
Irish graffiti artists Koce and Vents
Photo credits: 1, 2, 4, 6 & 8 Tara Murray; 3, 5 & 7 Lois Stavsky
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Conceived and facilitated by N Carlos J — noted artist, community revitalizer and founder of Brooklyn Is the Future — Writing on the Walls is a Brownsville-based mural arts initiative. Inspired to launch this project for his father, a Brownsville native who was diagnosed with cancer last year, N. Carlos’s Jay has engaged over a dozen artists in transforming his dad’s former stomping grounds into a vibrant outdoor canvas.
Another close-up from Werc and El Nino de las Pinturas
Eelco, close-up
BK Foxx based on photo by Bytegirl
Note: This blog will be on vacation through mid-September. You can follow us on Instagram and on our Facebook page. Part II of Writing on the Walls to be featured on our return.
Photo credits: 1, 4 & 6 Tara Murray; 2, 3, 5 & 7 Lois Stavsky
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On view at the Judith Charles Gallery though tomorrow — Sunday — is a selection of new works, along with salvaged ones, by many of the artists who had participated in last year’s landmark 21st Precinct Exhibit. Here is a sampling:
Ghost and Giz, fragment salvaged from last year’s installation
Chris Soria and Misha Tyutyunik
Lorenzo Masnah. fragment
Ben Angotti. close-up
Presented by Outlaw Arts, the exhibit remains on view 1-9pm today, Saturday, and tomorrow.
Photos of artworks by Lois Stavsky
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Five members of the blazingly brilliant Weird Crew have made their way to NYC. And to our delight, they’ve just completed an ingenious mural on Johnson Avenue and are busily preparing for an exhibit to open tomorrow evening at Exit Room. We had the opportunity to meet them yesterday.
Just what exactly is the Weird Crew?
It’s a collective of ten artists spread throughout Germany and Austria.
How and when did you all meet? And what brought you together?
We met back in 2011 at a festival in Vienna. Some of us knew each other from before, but 2011 is when the crew was founded. We’ve all painted live, participated in festivals and exhibits and have engaged in projects with international companies. Two of us — Cone and Vidam — are also professional DJs and music producers.
You all have distinct styles, and yet you work so seamlessly together. It is quite amazing!
Yes, although our styles are different, we share a similar aesthetic sensibility. And we stay in touch and exchange ideas with each other regularly.
What inspired the particular mural that you just completed painting in Bushwick?
Soon after we arrived in Bushwick, we took a bike ride into Manhattan. We were struck by those folks who often go unnoticed — the workers who keep this city going, who are also the “invisible New Yorkers.” Our mural is a homage to them.
And what do you guys think of New York City?
We love it. We love its energy and diversity — its wonderful mix of cultures.
What can we expect to see at Weird World — your soon-to-open exhibit at Exit Room?
Something weird!
Note: Weird World featuring works by Weird Crew members CONE, DXTR, HRVB, LOOK and VIDAM opens tomorrow evening, Friday, at 6pm at Exit Room. Curated by Zoe Beatwoman, the opening will continue until late with DJ Angel Russell aka Sloane Sophisticate and live musical performances by Perla Cozzone, Starr Busby and Jadon Woodard. The works will remain on exhibit through September 10.
Images: 1. Close-up from completed outdoor mural; 2. Look the Weird at work; 3. Cone the Weird at work; 4. Dxtr the Weird at work; 5. Segment from completed mural and 6. Cone the Weird in Exit Room NY, close-up
Photo credits: 1, 5 & 6 Lois Stavsky; 2-4 Tara Murray
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