John Ahearn

Bronx-based artists John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres have been fashioning exquisite life-like portraits of their neighbors for over 40 years. At once poignant and majestic, their sculptural portraits are a a visual ode to their community — its resilient spirit and its rich culture.  Continuing through this month at The Bronx Museum is their solo exhibition  “Swagger and Tenderness…,” featuring 65 sculptural portraits created both individually and collaboratively. What follows is a brief sampling:

John Ahearn with Rigoberto Torres, “Janelle and Audrey,” 1983, Acrylic on plaster

John Ahearn, “Joe Conzo at 17,” 2020, Acryic on plaster

Rigoberto Torres, “Daze,” 1998, Acrylic on plaster

John Ahearn with Rigoberto Torres, “Mario and Norma,” 1979, Acrylic on plaster

John Ahearn, “Juanita in Stripes Hugging Carlos,” 2020, Acrylic on plaster

Rigoberto Torres, “Melissa Maycock,” 1997, Acrylic on plaster

John Ahearn with Rigoberto Torres, “Bintou and Anwar,” 1998, Acrylic on plaster

Co-curated by Amy Rosenblum-Martín and literary activist Ron Kavanaugh, “Swagger and Tenderness…” remains on view at The Bronx Museum until the end of this month. Located at 1040 Grand Concourse, the museum is open Wednesday – Sunday from 1 – 6PM. Admission is free.

Photo credits: Rachel Alban, 1, 4, 6 & 7; Lois Stavsky, 2, 3, 5 & 8

{ 0 comments }

Shoot the Pump, a wonderfully engaging exhibit featuring an eclectic mix of works in a range of media by two dozen NYC-based artists, continues through November 4 at Bullet Space, an urban artist collective at 292 East 3rd Street. Curated by Lee Quiñones, Alexandra Rojas and Andrew Castrucci, it is largely a pean to the ubiquitous fire hydrant and its massive significance to the lives and minds of NYC kids. Pictured above is Pink Pump fashioned with acrylic on canvas by the legendary Lady Pink. Several more images follow:

Barry Hazard, Water Main, Acrylic on wood, 2018

Martin Wong, I Really Like the Way Firemen Smell, Acrylic on canvas, c. 1988

John Ahearn, Point Guard Renzo, Acrylic on reinforced plaster, 2018

Bobby G, Superzentrierte, Oil and aluminum paint on canvas, 1983

Alexandra Rojas in collaboration with John Ahearn, Installation; Hydrant water on oil shellac and reinforced plaster, 2018

Lee Quiñones, Trepidation, Metal cans, wood, 2018

Bullet Space is open Saturday and Sunday from 1 – 6pm or by appointment — 347.277.9841. Check here for a full list of the artists on exhibit. Most of the artists, explains co-curator Alexandra Rojas, have strong roots on the Lower East Side, as Bullet Space continues to keep its culture alive amidst the rapid changes in the neighborhood. Lee Quiñones, in fact, lived in the building where Bullet Space is housed.

Photos of artworks by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

en-play-badge 2

{ 0 comments }

Okuda-no-commissions

Held in a huge South Bronx warehouse, No Commission features the artworks of over two dozen first-rate established and emerging artists. Curated by the Dean Collection and directed by Swizz Beatz, the four-day event — currently underway — is designed to support artists by offering them free space and 100% of the sale of their artwork. Among the artists featured are several whose works have also surfaced on our streets. Pictured above is Okuda. Here are several more:

John Ahearn does Bio, Tats Cru

John-ahearn-no-commissions

Zio Ziegler

zio-ziegler-artwork-no-commission

Pablo Power

pablo-power-no-commission

 Faile

faile-no-commissions-art

Swoon 

swoon-portrait-no-commissions

Nina Chanel

Nina-Chanel-no-commissions

And on the exterior: Nicer, Tats Cru, close-up from huge mural fashioned collaboratively with Sexer, BG 183, Crash and Bio

nicer-tats-cru-no-commission

Photo credits: 1-3, 6-8 Lois Stavsky;  4 & 5 Sara C Mozeson

{ 0 comments }

tats-cru-mural-coney-art-walls-nyc

Coney Art Walls, one of last summer’s highlights, returns this weekend to its home at 3050 Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island. Joining such internationally acclaimed artists as Retna, el Seed, Miss Van and Ron English, is a wonderfully diverse array of artists, including several who returned this year to paint new murals. The following images were captured these past two weeks in this outdoor museum of street art, curated by  Joseph J. Sitt & Jeffrey Deitch and presented by Thor Equities:

Tats Cru at work

tats-Cru-paints-Coney-art-walls

Icy and Sot at work

icy-and-sot-coney-art-walls-nyc

Lady Aiko at work

Lady-aiko-paints-coney-island

Lady Aiko‘s completed piece

lady-aiko-other-world

Eric Haze with his completed mural

Eric-Haze-coney

Pose

Pose-mural-art-coney-art-walls

Mister Cartoon

Mr-cartoon-mural-art-coney-island

Daze

daze-mural-art-coney-island

Crash

crash-graffiti-coney-island

John Ahearn at work

John-Ahearn-Coney-art-walls

Nina Chanel at work with Khari Johnson Ricks to her right

nina-chanel-paints-coney-art-walls_edited-1

Bordered by Bowery Street, West 15th Street and Stillwell Avenue near the Coney Island boardwalk and beach, Coney Art Walls encompasses Greenwood Beach featuring popular food vendors including Dinosaur Bar-B-QueCalexico, and Table 87. All murals will be completed in time for the Mermaid Parade on June 18.  In addition, three walls will be painted by children and young adults from the local community this summer. Opening tomorrow, Coney Art Walls will remain open from 12pm to 10pm daily — with the exception of Monday, Memorial Day — through October.

Photo credits: 1-4, 6, 9-12 Tara Murray; 5, 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

en-play-badge 2

{ 2 comments }

rigoberto-toress-sculpture-Daze-graffiti

Among the thoroughly engaging exhibits currently on view at the Bronx Museum of the Arts are two with special appeal to us street art and graffiti aficionados. Spotlight: John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres showcases a series of sculptures by the two artists, whose works continue to delight us on the streets of the Bronx.  And Bronx Focus: Paintings by Valeri Larko features stunningly realistic renditions of Bronx graffiti, including some of our favorite walls that no longer exist. While visiting the Museum last week, we had the opportunity to speak to Lauren Click, the Director of Community and Public Programs.

Thank you for reaching out to us. Can you tell us something about your role here?

As director of community and public programs, I organize public programs related to Museum exhibits and events. I also work with the Community Advisory Council (CAC) a volunteer group of local residents with the goal of raising awareness of the Museum and organizing programming in response to community needs.

john-ahearn-and-rigoberto-torres-Bronx-Museum-720_edited-1

What are some of the successful means that have been used to accomplish this?

I like to introduce folks to new experiences while mixing them with familiar ones. For example, on senior Thursdays we combine tea services with multimedia collaborative activities. We also have a weekly newsletter we send to subscribers informing them of all the events that take place. This is part of our effort to establish a large presence on social media. Our twitter page has over 38,000 followers. And since admission has become free, we have had four times as many visitors than we used to.

Valeri-Larco-Graffiti-Zerega-Avenue-Bronx-2008jpg

What are some of the challenges that you face?

The greatest challenge is fighting the stereotype of being located in the Bronx. People are not aware of how rich and varied the cultural opportunities are in this borough.

valeri-larko-ferris-stahl-meyer-shipping-2013

What would you like to see happen here at the Bronx Museum?

I would like to see it continue to evolve and engage increasingly diverse audiences.

valeri-larko-power-ball-1015

How can people stay informed as to all that is happening here at the Bronx Museum of the Arts?

They can follow our Calendar of Events on the Museum’s website. They can also keep up with us on Twitter, on Facebook and on Instagram.

Note: This Saturday — May 14, 2:00pm to 3:30pm — Valeri Larko will offer a free guided tour of her exhibit Bronx Focus: Paintings by Valeri Larko. The Museum is located at 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx and is easily accessible by public transportation.

Images

1 Rigoberto Torres, Daze

2 John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres

3 Valeri Larko, Zerega Avenue

4 Valeri Larko, Ferris Stahl Meyer Shipping

Valeri Larko, Power Ball

Photo credits: 1 Tara Murray; 2-5 City-as-School intern Sol Raxlen; interview Lois Stavsky, Sol Raxlen and Tara Murray

Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

en-play-badge 2

{ 0 comments }

Splendidly curated by Laura James and Eileen WalshBronx Now showcases a wide range of artworks in different media by some of the best artists working in the Bronx. Among these are several whose works also enhance public spaces. While visiting the exhibit on Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak to both curators and pose a few questions to Laura James, the co-founder of BX200.

John-Ahearn-Eileen-Walsh-Laura-James-Bronx-Now_

Just what is BX200? And when was it launched?

BX200 is a directory of 200 artists, all of whom live or work in the Bronx. It was officially launched at the Bronx Museum of the Arts in March 2015.

bio-tats-cru-art-bronx-now

 What is its mission? And what spurred you to launch it?

Its mission is to connect our borough’s best artists to as wide an audience as possible from curators to collectors to other artists. My initial incentive in launching it was to get to know other artists living and working in the Bronx.

eric-orr-Bronx-Now

You and  Eileen Walsh have, obviously, accomplished so much working together. The directory looks great, and this exhibit is wonderful. How did you two initially meet?

Awhile back, Eileen had invited me to participate in an exhibit she was curating elsewhere. Then when she read about BX200, she was eager to partner with me.

John-Crash-Matos-

The art here is spread across two rooms, and it all looks amazing. How did this great space come your way?

Eileen introduced me to it, and I thought it would be an ideal setting to introduce a selection of Bronx artists to folks who frequent Brooklyn spaces, particularly in Bushwick where so much is happening.

Nicer-tats-cru-hip-hop

How did you decide which artists to include in Bronx Now?  Some of the artists are quite young and relatively unknown, and others have established reputations and have exhibited in renowned museums.

We were interested in presenting a snapshot of the Bronx featuring works that we love — in a variety of styles and media — from a wide range of artists.

andre-Trenier-Bronx-Now-Prince-Portrait

The exhibit opened with a reception Saturday evening How did the opening go?

It was fantastic! About 300 people came and we had Andre Trenier painting live

Mrs-art-Bronx-Now

What are some of the other events we can look forward to this week? 

This Thursday, May 5, there will be a Bronx Now Artist Talk from 6-8pm. Participants will include Tats CruJohn Ahearn, Rebecca Allan, Danny Peralta and Alicia Grullon. And this Saturday there will be a closing reception from 5-8pm with a performance by Paco Cao. From Wednesday through Saturday’s closing, the gallery — located at 119 Ingraham Street — opens at noon. Enter through Terra Firma.

Congratulations on BX200 and this wonderful exhibit! I’m looking forward to more.

Images

1. John Ahearn with curators Laura James and Eileen Walsh

2. Bio, Tats Crew

3. Eric Orr

4. Crash

5. Nicer, Tats Cru

6. Andre Trenier, close-up

7. MRS

Photo credit: 1, 2, 4-7 Lois Stavsky; 3 courtesy Laura James; interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

en-play-badge 2

{ 1 comment }

"Nelson Rivas"

Engaging a diverse array of artists, along with local residents —  including dozens of children — the Welling Court Mural Project represents the best of the street art fests.  Here are a few more images captured yesterday, as it celebrated its fifth year at Welling Court in Astoria, Queens:

Alice Mizrachi aka AM

alice-mizrachi-street-art-welling-court

Making Art

5th-Annual-welling-court-mural-project

John Ahearn with a temporary addition to mural created earlier by Dennis McNett

John-Ahearn-sculpture

Icy and Sot

icy-and-sot-stencil-art-welling-court

icy-and-sot-stencil-art-nyc 2

LMNOP

LMNOP-welling-court

LMNOP-street-art-Welling=court

The Royal KingBee

King-Bee-street-art-mural-welling-court

Toofly

Toofly

Check back here later in the week for Part II of this post and a brief interview with Ad Hoc Art’s director, Garrison Buxton.

First image is of Nelson Rivas aka Cekis at work; photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

{ 3 comments }

"John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres"

A stunningly evocative selection of life-like sculptures by John Ahearn, made in collaboration with Rigoberto Torres, is currently on exhibit at Alexander and Bonin at 132 10th Avenue in Chelsea.  Fashioned between 1981 through 1991, the works on display are an ode to the spirit and soul of the folks who called the South Bronx home during that decade.

Raymond

"John Ahearn"

Luis and Virginia Arroyo

"John Ahearn"

Lazaro

"John Ahearn"

Freddy with Cigarette

"John Ahearn"

Kate

"John Ahearn"

Titi in the Window

"John Ahearn"

The exhibit continues through February 22 at 132 Tenth Avenue in Chelsea.

Photos of images by Dani Reyes Mozeson; the first sculpture pictured here, Double Dutch, can be seen at Intervale Avenue and Kelly Street in the South Bronx.

{ 0 comments }

This is the first in a series of occasional posts featuring images of children that surface on NYC public spaces:

Chris Stain and Billy Mode at the Bushwick Collective

Chris Stain and Billy Mode

Joe Iurato at the Bushwick Collective

Joe Iurato

And at Cheryl Hazan Contemporary Art

Joe Iurato

CAW — Creative Arts Workshops for Kids — in East Harlem

CAW public art

 Iranian artist Mad in Bushwick

Mad

Icy and Sot in Bushwick

Icy and Sot

Baltimore-based Nether in Brooklyn

Nether

John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres in the South Bronx

John Ahearn

Swoon — close-up — in Red Hook, Brooklyn

Swoon

 

Photos by Dani Mozeson, Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky

{ 2 comments }

"John Ahearn public art"

A native of Binghamton, New York, noted sculptor John Ahearn gained recognition in the 80’s for his remarkably life-like, colorful casts of residents of the South Bronx — the community in which he chose to live and work.  We recently sighted two of his astonishing installations — fashioned in collaboration with Rigoberto Torres — on the exterior walls of two South Bronx buildings. A homage to the community, these pieces transform both the buildings and their surrounding landscape into a celebration of local life. More after the jump!

{ 1 comment }