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Giulia Shine on Curating a Tribute Wall to Hip-Hop With: Jaek El Diablo, Wagner Wagz, Zwon, Bom5, 3Modes, Lucy, Zane, Mrs, BG 183, Yes One and More

November 4, 2026

A hugely impressive production has recently transformed a wall on Bushwick’s Gardner Street, just off Flushing Avenue. Curated by Italian-born, Bronx-based graffiti aficionada Giulia Shine, this multifaceted production features murals, portraits, graffiti, throw-ups, tags and stickers—all paying homage to hip-hop culture. After visiting the wall, we were delighted to have the opportunity to pose a few questions to Shine.

What is the concept behind this production? It is hugely impressive!

The wall celebrates hip-hop culture and its five elements: Breaking, DJing, MCing, Graffiti Writing and Knowledge.

Who or what inspired this production?

My deep love for hip-hop culture, which brought me to NYC from my hometown in Italy. Martha Cooper’s and Henry Chalfant’s photos of painted trains have always been a huge inspiration. This wall is my way of saying thank you to hip-hop culture for shaping who I am. The wall also slowly evolved into a tribute to the important contributions of Puerto Ricans to hip hop.

How did you get access to this space?

When the artist Veng, who maintains the space, saw the wall I’d curated in Long Island City with EMPTYCANS, he challenged me to organize another one. Son Coro helped me sketch out the wall. But none of us expected such a huge production!

How did you decide which artists to approach?

As I sketched my vision on paper, I thought about the artists I know who are deeply involved in hip-hop culture. I chose among them based on their distinct styles and talents: Zwon for his detailed cityscapes; Wagner Wagz and Jaek El Diablo for their amazing characters; Bom5 and 3Modes for their old-school style; and Lucy for her illustration skills.

As the wall progressed, I brought in Zane and Mrs to represent the new generation of writers, along with Yes 1 and BG 183—both Bronx natives—to honor the Puerto Rican contribution to the culture.

Among those who tagged the piece were Cab, Coser, Henry Chalfant, Ree2, Ira, SJK 171 and Veng. Bombers included Stu, Drone, Loot, EXR, Werds and QZAR. KEST and Sten3 added stickers.

What challenges did you face in bringing the production to completion?

There were many. The first was the wall’s size and unusual structure. Creating a preliminary sketch and continually adjusting it was quite difficult. Other challenges included rainy weather, coordinating the artists’ schedules and keeping the stores’ rolling gates closed as much as possible.

I also had to find an affordable lift rental so I could cover my other expenses. Thankfully, the project received support from some amazing people: Omayra, Angelicae, Falsehood, Dirty Water, StreetArtNYC, Erestina, brooklyn.enthusiast, Sonny, DJ Blimey, Rossana, Ansha, LowBrow, Yough, Nelson Ortiz and Football Café.

How have folks responded to the production?

With great enthusiasm! Many passersby stop to photograph the wall or pose alongside it. Some recognize the characters depicted; others reminisce about their days as b-boys or writers. Models often pose against Zwon’s cityscape, and many writers stop by to check on the wall’s progress.

What’s next?

I’d love to secure walls of my own to curate. In the meantime, I’m curating another space with several artists I’d really love to see paint together. This time, though, they’re free to paint whatever they’d like!

Photos:

1 Jaek El Diablo, portrait of DJ Tony Touch; train by 3Modes

2 Wagner Wagz, portrait of Jorge Pabon aka Popmaster Fabel and Bom5

3 BG 183 at work

4 Lucy

5 Yes 1 at work

6 Henry Chalfant and Popmaster Fabel

7 Giulia Shine posing in front of her name written by Bom5

8 The complete wall

Photo credits: 1-3, 5 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 4, 6, 7, & 9 Giulia Shine

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Miki Mu on BedStuy Walls Mural Festival with: Carlos Rodriguez, Jason Naylor, Chelsea Garcia, Manuel Alejandro, Will Power, Belowkey, Andre Trenier, Megan Olson, Olga Correa, Nac 143, OG Millie, Bom5 & More

October 31, 2022

I recently had the opportunity to speak to BedStuy Walls Mural Festival founder and chief curator Miki Mu about the hugely successful community arts festival held earlier this month on Lexington Avenue and Do the Right Thing Way in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

This is all so wonderful. What was your initial inspiration for this project?

This is my neighborhood. I’ve lived in Bed-Stuy for over ten years. I was interested in celebrating and beautifying my neighborhood. And I know the huge power of art to uplift a community! I also wanted to create a space where people and businesses in my neighborhood could interact. My vision for this particular project began about a year ago.

How did you secure these walls? They are in such a prime spot, and these murals have totally transformed the entire block.

My neighbor introduced me to the owner of one of the the businesses on the block. But there were many challenges to actually securing these walls. It was not an easy task!

What were some of these challenges that you encountered in seeing this project through?

After I did secure the walls, I had to get a permit to close the block for the day of the festival. The walls and sidewalk had to be primed in advance. I had to purchase supplies. The entire project was quite expensive. I set up a Go Fund Me, but I did have to cover most of the expenses myself.

You have here such a wonderful range of artists here — from legendary graffiti writers to noted contemporary urban artists to newer emerging ones. How did you get the word out to the artists?

We started an Instagram account, and the word quickly spread. So many artists expressed interest in participating — far more than I could have imagined. I still get requests!

How did the community respond to the event?

The response was tremendous! The community loved it! Families came out, and there were so many kids…jumping rope, dancing to the hip-hop music, making art and simply having fun! It was wonderful — actually better than I had anticipated! But I never could have done this alone; there were many folks whose generosity made this possible. Among them are: Chateau Brooklyn for serving as our mothership, headquarters and base; Badman Bus aka Cookie Monster Bus for providing music and a sound system; all of the DJ’s for volunteering their talents; Cheryl Foy, a retired teacher and resident of the block, for helping us secure the block permit and Joe Cirano from Rogers & Sons, the owner of the walls; the Blue Bus Project for providing activities for the kids; Radial Park for lending us ladders; Project Barkada, also, for lending us a ladder and scaffolding; Solidarity Movers for helping us move all the equipment from one location to another  and for providing, as well, a fun activity for kids;  Black Men Build, Black Chef Movement and Josiane Lysius for providing free food; Loop Colors for adding extra cans to our order; Frankie Velez, my co-curator, for assisting and supporting my efforts in every aspect of this project, and, of course, all of the artists for generously sharing their skills and visions with us.

What’s ahead?

I would like to make the BedStuy Walls Mural Festival an annual event and eventually attain non-profit status.

That would be wonderful! Congratulations!

Images

1. Carlos Rodriguez

2. Jason Naylor

3. Chelsea Garcia to the left of Manuel Alejandro

4. Will Power

5. Belowkey

6. Andre Trenier to the left of Megan Olson and Olga Correa

7. Nac 143 (left), OG Millie (center),  Bom5 with character by Miki Mu (right)

Photo credits: Lois Stavsky

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“Subway Art Legends” Continues Through Tuesday, July 19, at One Art Space in Tribeca: Delta2, TKid 170, Dome, Bom5, Part TDS, Cope2, Wane One and More

July 17, 2022

Curated by COPE2, “Subway Art Legends,” a dynamic mix of artworks created by those icons who “rocked the trains” during the subway era of the early 80’s, continues through Tuesday at One Art Space in Tribeca. The tantalizing image featured above, China Red N.Y.C, was fashioned by the legendary Delta2 with acrylic, spray paint and paint markers. Several more infectiously rhythmic works on exhibit follow:

Bronx native TKid 170, “Old School,” Circa 1989, Redo of a classic

 Brooklyn native Dome, “NYC Subway Panel,” Enamel on metal

Bronx native Bom5, “Graffiti,”  36 x 24 in.

 Manhattan-native Part TDS, “Delta Blue,” Multimedia canvas, 12 x 16 in.

Bronx native and “Subway Art Legends” curator Cope2, “Salsa,”  36 x 36 in.

 London-native Wane One, “KNOWS,” 24 x 48 in.

Located at 23 Warren Street in Tribeca, One Art Space is open daily 1-6pm.

Photos of artworks, Lois Stavsky

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Her Story, the First Annual Female Graffiti Series, Launches Uptown with Lady K Fever, Mel1, Rocky 184, Charmin 65, Miss Boombox, Gem13 and Neks

May 16, 2016

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This past Saturday, Her Story, the first annual female graffiti series, was launched at the legendary Inwood wall on Isham Street off 10th Avenue . While visiting, I had the opportunity to speak to the inimitable Lady K Fever.

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Can you tell us something about Her Story’s mission?

We women are underrepresented in the graffiti world. The mission of Her Story is to provide us female writers with a supportive environment to tell our stories while sharing our skills with others.

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Whose idea was it? And how did the concept for such a project become a reality?

We’ve been constantly talking  — among ourselves — about the need for more opportunities. We feel that we don’t have anywhere as many opportunities — or access to spaces — as guys have.  And, by chance, several weeks ago, Crane invited us to paint here on Isham and 10th Avenue.

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How did you decide which artists to include in today’s launch?

We’ve all known each other for awhile, have painted together before and we get along well together. We are looking forward to including additional female writers in future jams.

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The vibes here are great! Everyone seems to be having so much fun. What is your impression of this launch?

It’s been excellent! So many people came by to watch us paint, including many legendary old school writers. It’s been busy!

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What’s ahead for Her Story?

With the sponsorship of The Bronx Graffiti Art Gallery and Hush Hip Hop Tours, we will be painting for the next six months in five boroughs in three states. On June 25th you can find us at Tuff City.  Future spots include: Graffiti Universe and Hackensack, New Jersey. We will also be involved in the New York Restoration Project. In collaboration with Bette Midler’s foundation, we will be painting in a garden on July 30th, as part of the series, Ladies of the Bronx, highlighting the elements of hip hop.

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It’s all very exciting! Good luck!

Images

1. Lady K Fever

2. Mel1

3. Rocky 184

4. Charmin 65

5. Miss Boombox with Bom5 dancing to its beat; Gem 13 on right

6. Gem13

7. Neks

Photos and interview 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.

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