All posts tagged: Shiro

Images of the Week: 04.21.13

Here’s our weekly interview of the street, this week featuring $hota, Armer, bunnyM, C215, Curtis Kulig, DAO, Demian Smith, Essencia, Gyser, Irade, Joseph Meloy, Judith Supine, Love Me, Meres, Monsieur  Plume, Patch Whiskey, Raid Crew, Mr. Blob, Robert Janz, SEN2, Shiro, Smogk, Spagnola, Theo David, and Thomas Buildmore .

Top image > Spagnola (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Brand new Judith Supine on the rocks. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Sen2 at 5Pointz. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

$howta and DAO (photo © Jaime Rojo)

$howta and DAO. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Thomas Buildmore and his homage to Gaugin at Woodward Project Space. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

C215 big cat in Paris. (photo © Théo David)

We’ve seen a lot of fat cats, but never one this big. French Street Artist C215 finished it this week on a wall in the 13th arrondissment of Paris. Demian Smith, founder of Underground Paris, says the chat géant is “part of the neighborhood’s strategy to create an alternative tourism industry in this pretty ugly, working class area in the south of Paris.”  – Not the first time that Street Artists have perked a place up, just usually not on this scale. The strategy has so far included murals by Shepard Fairey, Inti, and Vhils, he says. Special thanks to Théo David for sharing these exclusive shots for BSA readers.

C215 big cat in Paris. (photo © Théo David)

Joseph Meloy (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Ishmael (photo © Jaime Rojo)

This forced collab with bunnyM and Robert Janz has a wild untamed energy, like a group of teens on a train at 3 pm. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Sort gets right to the point, right? Love Me (photo © Jaime Rojo)

ZMOGK with Shiro overseeing at 5Pointz. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Essencia (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Esscencia. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Armer (photo © Jaime Rojo)

“Ain’t nothin I’m just tryin to get my paper, my paper.” That’s right Mr. Blob is getting paid at 5Pointz. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Usually catching walls down south, Patch Whisky stopped in at the Bushwick Collective and also hit the En Masse installation. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

French artist Monsieur Plume of Raid Crew give Meres on the left a shout out at 5Pointz. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Untitled. J Train. Broad Street Sta. April 2013. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Thank you to Théo David for shooting the C215 wall in Paris for BSA. Visit Théo’s site here for more of his work. 

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Please note: All content including images and text are © BrooklynStreetArt.com, unless otherwise noted. We like sharing BSA content for non-commercial purposes as long as you credit the photographer(s) and BSA, include a link to the original article URL and do not remove the photographer’s name from the .jpg file. Otherwise, please refrain from re-posting. Thanks!

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Fun Friday 10.19.12

Happy Friday Peepuls. Now before we all set our sights on Friday art parties and dancing and getting crazy and writing on people’s foreheads with markers, it’s time for us to get Debatified so we are all ready to vote. Obama is ahead in New York by like a hundred and five percent but apparently there are some states in the imperfect union where it is still a toss-up and people are just not sure who’s better. Moderator Candy Crowley scoured all of New York’s Long Island Tuesday and came up with only 82 people who still don’t know who they’re voting for – 12 of them polled just before airtime were also not sure who is on the one dollar bill, so there’s a clue for ya right there. Here’s a capsulized version of what went down.

1. Becca and Philip Lumbang (LA)
2. “Purple”, a Female Group Show in Williamsburg  (BKLN)
3. Fairey’s “Sound and Vision” (London)
4. Gregory Siff is “A Matter of Time” in LA
5. Shark Toof Takes a Bite out of LA
6. Meanwhile, Back in Haunted Brooklyn…Get Out Your Knife
7. “The Art of Basketball” at the Pop International Galleries (NYC)
8. Gallery For The People at Stonebook Court Estate (Los Altos)
9. “It’s Alive 2” at Urban Folk Art Gallery (BKLN)
10. “Art on the Seam” Documentary teaser  (VIDEO)
11. Vermibus – The Sting (VIDEO)
12. ROA in the Boneyard (VIDEO)

Becca and Philip Lumbang (LA)

Becca and Philip Lumbang, two of LA’s Street Art scene, are teaming at Lab Art Gallery in Los Angeles, CA with their show titled “Babes & Bears” now open.

Becca in Los Angeles (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For further information regarding this show click here.

“Purple”, a Female Group Show in Williamsburg  (BKLN)

“Purple” is the new color for this season as envisioned by a strong group of female Street Artists in a group exhibition in Brooklyn, NY at Causey Contemporary. This show opens tonight.

Queen Andrea in NYC for The Grassy Lot. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

PURPLE includes Alice Mizrachi, Diana McClure, Gilf, Lady Pink, Lichiban, Miss Van, Olek, Priscila De Carvalho, Queen Andrea, Ritzy Periwinkle, and Sofia Maldonado

For further information regarding this show click here.

Fairey’s “Sound and Vision” (London)

Shepard Fairey’s  solo exhibition “Sound & Vision” opens tonight in London at the Stolen Space Gallery. His first London exhibition in 5 years, Fairey brings along friend and collaborator Z-Trip to supply the soundtrack to the artwork.

Shepard Fairey in NYC at the Houston St. Wall. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For further information regarding this show click here.

Gregory Siff is “A Matter of Time” in LA

A “Matter of Time” is the title of Street Artist Gregory Siff’s new show at Gallery Brown in Los Angeles, CA opening tomorrow night.

For further information regarding this show click here.

Shark Toof Takes a Bite out of LA

If you have never seen a shark playing ping pong you’ll have your chance at C.A.V.E. Gallery in Venice Beach, CA where Shark Toof’s new show “Ping Pong Show” opens tomorrow.

Shark Toof pokes Lister’s eye out in Miami. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For further information regarding this show click here.

Meanwhile, Back in Haunted Brooklyn…Get Out Your Knife

Fall is here, leaves are turning, the sweet smell of burning fires permeates many residential neighborhoods of the city, ACs are off and windows are open and you can hear the sounds of the streets are night. And now you get to stab a pumpkin and carve a face out of it at Crest Hardware. MWAH HAH HAH HAWWWW. Joe invites you and the whole family to come out and enjoy the 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, Saturday.

For entry rules, times and more details on this event click here.

Also happening this week:

“The Art of Basketball” is a group exhibition curated by Billi Kid at the Pop International Galleries in Manhattan featuring Mr. Brainwash, URNY, The Dude Company, Skewville, Shiro, Rene Gagnon, Joe Iurato, Ewok, One 5MH, Jack Aguire, David Cooper, Cope2, Chris Stain, Cern and Billi Kid. This show is now open to the general public and you can click here for more details.

Gallery For The People Fall Pop-Up show with Sage Vaughn, Deedee Cheriel, and Curtis Kulig is now open for the general public at The Stonebook Court Estate in Los Altos Hill, CA. Click here for more details on this show.

“It’s Alive 2” showcasing the art of Mark Bode, Dr.Revolt, and Stan 153 opens tonight at the Urban Folk Art Gallery in Brooklyn. Click here for more details on this show.

“Art on the Seam” Documentary teaser  (VIDEO)

An upcoming documentary by David Freid about the art work on the wall in the West Bank.

 

Vermibus – The Sting (VIDEO)

ROA in the Boneyard (VIDEO)

A new video from Jason Wawro for the Boneyard Project features ROA.

Screenshot from video by Jason Wawro of ROA in the Boneyard Project. © Jason Wawro for Boneyard

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Please note: All content including images and text are © BrooklynStreetArt.com, unless otherwise noted. We like sharing BSA content for non-commercial purposes as long as you credit the photographer(s) and BSA, include a link to the original article URL and do not remove the photographer’s name from the .jpg file. Otherwise, please refrain from re-posting. Thanks!

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Pop International Galleries Present: “The Art of Basketball” Curated by Billi Kid. (Manhattan, NYC)

The Art of Basketball”


POP International Galleries

Presents

Art of Basketball
Curated by Billi Kid

The Art of Basketball is a collection of original artworks
under license from the NBA. The collection currently
features unique works on official NBA backboards and
sections of the 2011 NBA All-Star Game floor boards.
This collection taps a select group of leading graffiti
and street artists to re-imagine the most iconic symbols
of this beloved game.

October 16 – October 28, 2012
Opening reception: October 16, 7-9pm
RSVP Required: popart@popinternational.com

Featuring Mr. Brainwash, URNY, The Dude Company, Skewville, Shiro, Rene Gagnon, Joe Iurato, Ewok One 5MH, Jack Aguire, David Cooper, Cope2, Chris Stain, Cern and Billi Kid

POP International Galleries
473 West Broadway
New York, NY 10012

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Sacred Gallery Presents: “Who’z Got Game!” A Group Exhibition (Manhattan, NYC)

Sacred Gallery

We wanted to let everyone know that Sacred Gallery NYC is pleased to announce “Who’z got game!”, August 10th (8-11pm), at Sacred Gallery NYC.
This group gallery exhibition, curated by KIDLEW, showcases some of the best names in the NYC street graffiti scene. Starting with artists from the late
60’s and working up to modern day, Kidlew personally went after the best names in the game to bring you a true NYC graffiti Subway map show.

The gallery will be auctioning off a true 4’x5′ NYC subway map that exhibiting artists will collaborate the night of the gallery opening. 100% of the proceeds from the won auction will
go to The Coalition For The Homeless (http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/). The auction will be on display and available for bidding all month, and will close on the 31st.

BAMA
LAVA 1 2
TON
JAMES TOP
BOM5
COPE2
INDIE
DIL
PYTHON
SIEN IDE
SEE TF
ZIMAD
SEXER
MERES
HALOZ
SINXERO
RAVE
RWK
ARMY OF ONE
JESUS SAVES
SHIRO
KIDLEW
ANGEL “LA2” ORTIZ

This is a strict RSVP ONLY event so you must email
Kevin@SacredGalleryNYC.com to be put on the list.

Opening Reception:
August 10th. 8-11pm

Sacred Gallery NYC

424 Broadway 2nd Floor (Between Canal and Howard)

New York, NY 10013

www.sacredgallerynyc.com

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Images of the Week: 02.05.12

Our weekly interview with the street, this week featuring Above, Animal Takeover, Buff Monster, Cash4, Cope, Dan Witz, Dasic, Didi, Droid, Earsnot, Food One, Irak, Joe Iurato, J.Robles, Jade, JT, Never, Pessimo, Sand One, Shiro, Sue Works, and Uno Entes.

Animal Takeover (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Sand One . Shiro. Cope (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Never (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JT . Food One (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Buff Monster (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Jade Uno Entes Pesimo (photo © Jaime Rojo)

J. Robles (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Earsnot of the IRAK crew (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Didi (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Dasic (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Above has been gone over by MPX and a chubby squirrel. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Dan Witz (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Cash4 Droid (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Joe Iurato . Sue Works  (photo © Stan Sudol)

Joe Iurato . Sue Works  (photo © Stan Sudol)

Joe Iurato . Sue Works  (photo © Stan Sudol)

Untitled (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Images of the Week 01.29.12

Images of the Week 01.29.12

The streets have been seeing an uptick in socio-political messages recently, whether because of the Occupy protests, or because artists are exercising their speech in low cost, low-tech, person-to-person methods. The very personal nature of this kind of messaging actually feels impactful when it catches your eye with a sense of intention, grabbing you by the ear and making you think. This week we have Street Art  commentary about housing, class inequality, the abuse of poser, erosion of privacy and fears of a police state. It makes sense that art on the streets is reflecting us back to ourselves.

Here’s our weekly interview with the street; this week featuring Buff Monster, Cash4, Cope, Dirty Teddies, Ema, Enzo & Nio, Essam, Faile, Hush, Ment, Shiro, XAM, and XXX.

ESSAM. A more conceptual culture-jamming series of new signs in certain New York neighborhoods is meant as a way to raise awareness by an Iraq war veteran turned civil libertarian, according to news reports published recently. This sign warns about alleged plans for Police surveillance drones could be ubiquitous in society. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Wolf rides, anyone? Faile (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Hush gets to know some of the local neighbors while busy at work in San Francisco (© courtesy Hush)

Hush has been on the street in San Francisco this week (photo exclusively for BSA © courtesy of Hush). Stay tuned for a Hush special feature on Monday of his current show.

Ema (photo © Jaime Rojo)

The billionaire Mayor of New York is taking a hit here from this Street Art poster by Enzo & Nio. Styled as Marie Antoinette, Michael Bloomberg is portrayed as a haughty royal who is disconnected from the rabble, and cares not a wit. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A masters graff wall in Miami (photo © Jaime Rojo)

XAM is addressing the ongoing bank mortgage crisis in the US with this street sculpture installation on Skid Row in Los Angeles (photo © XAM)

Cash4 with Ment (photo © Jaime Rojo)

You see! XXX (photo © Jaime Rojo)

You can always spot the tourist dinosaurs with their fanny packs in Times Square. Dirty Teddies (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Untitled (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Images of the Week 01.08.12 Miami Special Part II

Here is the 2nd half of the Miami images we captured for you from the massive blocks long street installation party called Art Basel this year. Most of these pieces are legal, many are not. You can call them Street Art, but not all are actually on the street and many could also be classified as murals.

Now is a perfect window of opportunity to go see these as many will be buffed in the next few weeks and months, as property owners sell the buildings or decide they didn’t actually dig the art as much as they thought they would. Within a decade or so, this area in Miami will most likely be less enthused with and even hostile toward graffiti and Street Art in general, but the red carpet is laid out at the moment. Artists are flocking from all over the world to jockey for walls, hoping to be seen by potential fans and collectors, or at least to hang out with peers and make new friends. This is a moment on a timeline and, for right now, the colors, patterns, textures, messages and lucid dreams are pulsating on walls everywhere; a mountain of creativity set free.

So here are more than 50 images in our interview with the street, this week featuring 2501, Adjust, AM, Andrew Schoultz, Art Basel 2011, AWR, Bask, Ben Eine, Bik Ismo, Buff Monster, C215, Chris Stain, Clown Soldier, Col, Cope, Dabs&Myla, Des, Ema, Emo, Entes Pesimo, Ethos, Ever, Florida, Gaia, Interesni Kazki, Jade Uno, Jaz, Joe Iurato, Liqen, Miami, Michael DeFeo, Neuzz, Nomade, Nomads, Nunca, Pancho Pixel, Pez, PHD, Pi, el Pancho, Primary Flight, Remote, Retna, Roa, RONE, Shark Toof, Shiro, Smells, Spagnola, Stormie Mills, Vhils, Wynwood Walls, and Zed1.

With special thanks to all the people who helped us out, showed us around and provided insight and background, especially the good folks from Primary Projects and Wynwood Walls.

Liqen (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Liqen’s metaphoric mural of miserable corporate finance workers in a labyrinthine maze may have been the singular most powerful and timely image this year.   (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Liqen (photo © Jaime Rojo)

International star Vhils and crew created a few signature portraits using his very original method of destruction and creation, a low relief sculpture that emanates from the wall (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Rone’s model looked skyward from a few locations on the street. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Shiro (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Now, why is that? Smells Like Junk (photo © Jaime Rojo)

ROA and Ben Eine hit up this little corner spot with Primary Flight. The unusual free-standing structure called “The Living Room” has played host to a number of graffiti, mural, and street artists over the last few years, and this year also featured a pop-up piano ensemble performance. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

ROA (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JAZ (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Neuzz (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Assume Vivid Astro Focus killed this wall last year and it still looks fresh. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Famed duo Assume Vivid Astro Focus (photo © Jaime Rojo)

New Jersey’s Joe Iurato (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Jade Uno . Entes Pesimo (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gaia and C215 appeared frequently with one another this year on the street. This one is bookended by some Nomade posters (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gaia, C215 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bik Ismo, a custom hot rod, and of course a couple of appreciative dudes. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Zed1 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Despite relative domestic tranquility, sometimes Felix and Ana were not sure if they were seeing the same thing. Ever (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Retna stretched his alphabet tall, and tucked in many tributes to local friends. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

 

Interesni Kazki . Liqen (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Interesni Kazki and Liqen combined forces on this mural referencing the world wide web. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Interesni Kazki . Liqen (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Interesni Kazki . Liqen (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Michael DeFeo lit up a desolate spot under the highway. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Ethos (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Emo, PHD, Remote (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Emo (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Ema (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A killer repetition from Des (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Dabs & Myla collaboration with AWR (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Col on a bed of seafoam blue (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Chris Stain brought some friends from New York and Baltimore. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

This bull head popped out at discrete locations. Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bask bolted to a post. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Stormie Mills (photo © Jaime Rojo)

One of the few blatantly political pieces from Spagnola, with additional commentary added by a third party. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

This Shark Toof appears to be whispering something to Anthony Lister. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Pixel Pancho kind of killed it.  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Pez is on multiple surfaces everywhere. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Nunca (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Nunca (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Cope crushed repeatedly. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Clown Soldier stands guard at the gate. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Buff Monster . Cope (photo © Jaime Rojo)

2501 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Andrew Schoultz (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Andrew Schoultz (photo © Jaime Rojo)

AM (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Adjust (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Billi Kid Curates “Pongtopia!” A Benefit Art Show (Manhattan, NY)

Pongtopia

 

November 3-5, 2011
The Winter Garden at the World Financial Center New York City

Pongtopia! is presented by Brookfield Office Properties, in partnership
with SPiN Galactic. A dynamic three-day event combining the sport and
art of table tennis with the spirit of charity and education.

Given the recent increase in popularity of America’s favorite pastime,
Brookfield, SPiN and Operation Design are working together to showcase
this popular sport as never before — with world-class pros and
celebrities battling it out, as the New York area’s most amazing players
compete for the Brookfield Cup.

Street artist Billi Kid, of Public Works Department, will curate the
artistic components of the event, an incredible trove of one-of-a-kind
pieces of artwork and a live auction to be held on Thursday, November
3rd. Pongtopia! will display extraordinary, creatively painted Ping-Pong
tables and paddles by high-profile street and graffiti artists. Each
piece of table-tennis art will be available for purchase and proceeds
will go to support creative programs in selected New York City public
schools through Operation Design.

Featuring
Cope2, Cern, Shiro, Joe Iurato and Billi Kid

With Contributed Works by
ART ¹, Blip, Buildmore, Cake, Carly Ivan Garcia, ChrisRWK, COL Wallnuts,
CzrVII, David Cooper, Dashdoe, Dave Warnke, Dint Wooer Krsna, El Celso,
Elijah Arts, Franck de Las Mercedes, Frost215, Fumero, Geoff Hargadon,
Ian Ross, Indie, Jaxiejax Art, Jim McHugh, Mike Die, NohJColey, Peat
Wollaeger, Peru Ana Ana Peru, Question Josh?, Rednose, Sand One, Seamo,
Street Grapes, Ticky Tock, UWP (UnderWaterPirates), VengRWK and ZAM

Shiro “My Way” (photo © Billi Kid Flickr)

To see images of the complete set of tables and padles click on the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billikid/

For more information regarding this event click on the link below:

http://www.artsworldfinancialcenter.com/cgi-bin/Go.cgi?q_id=1170

 

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NYC Street Artists Collaborate! Reason No. 31 to love New York

NYC Street Artists Collaborate! Reason No. 31 to love New York

According to the new issue of New York Magazine , whose cover story “Reasons to Love New York” is on newsstands today, Reason Number 31 is because our street art is collaborative.

click to enlarge and see all the names they helpfully tracked down

Street Artists have a greater spirit of collaboration than you might imagine

Billi Kid provided pictures that document the ongoing conversation of street artists in one part of the city.  And it’s pretty rare to hear about “Beef”, something that was a mainstay of graff culture back in the daze.

According to the article, “In gallery-rich Chelsea, a brick wall on West 22nd Street became, over the past year, an ephemeral showroom for international street art. The canvas changed appearance almost daily, as artists (some identified here) overlaid new pieces over the work of their predecessors.”

When reached by BSA for comment, street artist Billi Kid was big-hearted and magnanimous, full of Holiday Spirit, “It’s all about community. It’s all about collaboration. It’s all about joy. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!”

That just makes me want to say “Ho-Ho-Ho!” or, as we used to say at Christmas when I worked at a mega-club on West 29th Street, “Whore-Whore-Whore!”

Now it is probably inpolitik to say such a thing, but “Sex Worker-Sex Worker-Sex Worker” just doesn’t have a Christmas ring to it.

VIEW THE NEW YORK MAG Street Art Slideshow here:

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Images of The Week 12.06.09

Images of The Week 12.06.09

Brooklyn-Street-Art-IMAGES-OF-THE-WEEK_1009

Our Weekly Interview With the Street

Click to enlarge.

Here's to the new kid on the block
Welcome Wagon Calling – never have seen this before but it’s in a number of interpretations in a number of locations. (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

Courtesy of Your Friendly Neighborhood
Courtesy of Your Friendly Neighborhood (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

Courtesy of Your Friendly Neighborhood (detail)
Courtesy of Your Friendly Neighborhood (detail) (©Jaime Rojo)

C215, Chris Uphues
C215, Chris Uphues (© Jaime Rojo)

Of Mice and Cats. We at BSA have noticed that perhaps street artists are more partial to cats than they are to dogs. Your comments please...
Of Mice and Cats. BSA has noticed that perhaps street artists are more partial to cats than they are to dogs. Your comments please… (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Billi Kid
We spotted Billi Kid and Shiro flying at night (©Jaime Rojo)

Courtesy of Your Friendly Neighborhood
Courtesy of Your Friendly Neighborhood (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

Courtesy of Your Friendly Neighborhood (detail)
Courtesy of Your Friendly Neighborhood (detail) (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

Lister
Pursed lips, arched eyebrow, Anthony Lister (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

LMNOP 64 (Our cats in Street Art theory is further re-inforced)
LMNOP 64 (Our cats in Street Art theory is further re-inforced)(photo ©Jaime Rojo)

Specter
Specter, from his “Manage Work Flow” series (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

Specter (detail)
Specter (detail) (photo © Jaime Rojo)

LMNOP 64
LMNOP 64 (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

Spazmat
One of the neighborhood regulars (Spazmat) (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Specter's first installament of his new "Readymades" series
Take an abandoned building, whitewash while masking out rectangle shapes, creating “framed” art, sign name. Discuss… “Readymades” series, Specter (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

Specter (detail)
Specter (detail) (photo ©Jaime Rojo)

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AIKO’s biggest Stencil So Far: Power, Sex, and the Saxophone

AIKO’s biggest Stencil So Far: Power, Sex, and the Saxophone

Aiko Nakagawa shows off her newest stencil (photo Martha Cooper)

Street Artist Aiko worked with the Younity Collective to put up a large mural as a gift to the community recently right next to the Williamsburg Bridge. The all-woman collective, started in 2007 by Alice Mizrachi and Maria “Toofly” Castillo, empowers individuals as artists by creating projects together and celebrating the strengths that each one brings to the game. Now nearing 60 artist members, including multiple disciplines and many names in Graff Art and Street Art you might know such as Lady Pink, Swoon, Drexel, Martha Cooper, and Shiro, the Younity Collective offers much needed support to artists through comraderie and community projects.

When asked about her approach to the project, Aiko agrees that it is very personal, “It made me feel happy to keep working on the mural. It’s a nice feeling to create something beautiful for everybody’s everyday life. If I have a talent to encourage people, make them smile and to cheer them up, that’s totally great.”

Aiko

Aiko plays her cards with a full hand (photo Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: Is it fun to work as part of the Younity collective?
Aiko: It was fun to be part of Younity’s project and I’m glad they called me up. Even though I rarely go bombing with boys, staying away from illegal street activities and focusing on indoor works these days, it brought me all the good energy about working in public space and spending time with other artists again. Plus all girls were very chill, no beef.

AikoAiko (photo Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: The stencil is quite large! Do you usually work that big?
Aiko: A big wall is such a great challenge. I love listening people say “Holy Sh*t, Aiko!!!” from behind me while I’m painting. Actually a lot of people who have been following my exhibitions might notice that my works are getting bigger and better. Stencil is my favorite tool to paint with and I’m so good at using the knife. It took me at least a few days to cut such a giant stencil like that. It killed my fingers and the material is really delicate to handle, transport, and place on the wall. Winds and a bumpy surface is enemy for painting. But what a wonderful feeling to see the finally sprayed image on a wall after all this effort. Big stencils are such joy.

Detail of mural by Aiko (photo Martha Cooper)

Brooklyn Street Art: Your main image is a woman playing a saxophone – is that because
of the jazz club inside?

Aiko: The image of the sexy lady with saxophone was also the request from the owner, who runs the historical live music house, WMC Jazz (Williamsburg Music Center). I love music and dance, and I’m very happy to contribute to the local community in Brooklyn.

Aiko (Detail)

Aiko (Detail) (photo Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: Your colors are very feminine and strong for this piece. How do
you choose your colors?

Aiko: If we can say that paintings are results of an artist’s conversation with themselves and it appears as color and image on the wall, I guess that color is my feeling at this moment. I am in the really feminine, very sexy and super strong phase of my life.

**************************************************

Lady Aiko embarks this fall on a long trip to participate in shows abroad.

Aiko’s Website

Younity Collective

The Younity Collective are: Alice Mizrachi, Maria “Toofly” Castillo, Albeni Garrett, Aiko Nakagawa, Alexandra Casula, Alexia Webster, Jane Dickson, Amanda Lopez, B.I.C., Cece Carpio, Dee Keating, Diana McClure, Diana Schmertz, Diva, Drexel, Erotica, Faith47, Female Sneaker Fiend, GMO$, Heather N. Hayashi, Helene Ruiz, Katrina “RUKUS” Knutson, Kelly Jeanne Lever, Krista Frankln, Lady Pink, Laura Meyers, Lexi Bella, Lichiban, Lisa Case, Lisa Marie Thalhammer, Mad C, Martha Cooper, Meridith McNeal, Muck, Nancy Rodriguez, Nanibah “Nani” Chacon, Naomi Martinez, Niz, Not Bad For a Girl, Kerri O’Connell, Paulina Qunitan Jornet, Petra Moser, Queen Andrea, SHIRO, Sofia Maldonado, Stephanie Land, Swoon, Nanilla Medallions, Andrea Celilia Bernal, Gabriella Davi-Korasanee, M.I.S.S., Nubby Twiglet


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