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March is Women’s History Month. We thought we’d close out the month by taking a look at female artists who are reinterpreting trends and transcending boundaries traditionally associated with graffiti and street art. Putting up some of the most imaginative and cutting-edge art out there, these artists are shaping the movement today. Their stories enlighten and inspire, introducing new perspectives and ideas to both street culture and contemporary art practice. Claw Born Claudia Gold in Flushing, Queens, Claw became a fixture on the streets in the late 1980s when her signature claw icon could be seen all over New York City. Quickly earning a reputation as fearless and original, she stood out in NYC’s male dominated graffiti scene. Claw is one of the 6 writers profiled in the telling film “Infamy.” After studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology, she…

“Are there any books or films about graffiti and street art that you could recommend?” This is a question that often comes up. There’s a catalogue of sources, in fact, which each Graff Tour guide-in-training must study to earn their “badge.” It is comprehensive and covers various topics ranging from the history of graffiti to the current trends and issues associated with street art. Drawing from the catalogue, we put together a list of favorites (in no particular order) for you to check out. The History of American Graffiti Exit Through the Gift Shop Style Wars Beautiful Losers The Faith of Graffiti Subway Art The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti Trespass: A History of Uncommissioned Urban Art Bomb It: The Movie The Warriors Movie The History of American Graffiti Written by Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon, “The History…

As you exit the Halsey Street stop on the L train in Brooklyn, you are greeted with a 300 foot wall of murals. Stretching the entire block, this vibrant concrete canvas is known as the Halsey Street Dream Way Collaborative Mural. Completed in late October of last year, the project was spearheaded by Xmental in conjunction with the Brooklyn Arts Council. The art at Halsey Street is unique for a number of reasons. Guided by Xmental’s mission to educate and mentor at-risk urban youth through using the four pillars of hip hop – graffiti, break dancing, djaying, and mc-ing – Halsey Street celebrates Brooklyn’s distinct creative culture and history.   When Xmental was seeking muralists for the project, the organization looked to its own – interested artists had to be residents of Brooklyn. Fifteen artists, some as young as 17,…

We checked out the Dodworth Street Mural Project on a cold and sunny morning in late February. Catching sight of the first group of murals (the ones closer to Bushwick Ave.), our stomach sank a little. The pieces had been hit with reckless graffiti. A man walked out of one of the garages and asked, “Are you here to see the murals? They were painted over about 2 weeks ago.” He then went on to say that his brother owns the garage and they really enjoyed having the artists over to paint. He was particularly distraught about the mural by Brazilian artist Gustavo Nenao of a smiling young boy with the beloved phrase “I love NYC.” It was his favorite. Whipping out his phone to show pictures of the piece in its previous unharmed state, the man said that he…

“I’m blacker than midnight on Broadway and Myrtle” is a line from Brooklyn rapper Mos Def’s song “Mathematics.” These words are also the subject of a piece, which artist Jay Shells made for his Rap Quotes project. Shells makes lyrics-inspired signs and installs them in the exact location referenced by rappers such as as Dr….

We caught up with Esteban in his Dumbo Studio and discussed where he fits in the street art and graffiti world, why social justice is so important, and his exciting murals coming up. Check out more of his work on his website or on Instagram @estebandelvalle112.

Eelco van den Berg is visiting NYC for the week from the Netherlands. This past summer when Eelco was here, he did six walls in seven days. So after finding out that he was only doing one this time, we knew we had to catch it in action. Eelco sizing up the wall Eelco’s process…

After living here for over a year and getting up like a mad man at Centrifuge, Bushwick Collective, Waatah, and most recently in Williamsburg, Damien Mitchell has put together his first major solo show. Tools of the Trade will be a stenciled look at classic graffiti materials. Appropriating classic graffiti caps, cans, and canvas, Damien has been…

You might not even notice the Dunkin’ Donuts on Bedford Avenue. The pink and orange sign that typically denotes the coffee and donut shop chain has been traded for one fashioned from dark wood with vintage gold lettering. Compared to the original, it is cooler, hipper and most likely intended to attract neighborhood residents often…

Anytime art is placed within the public domain, it becomes subject to public scrutiny. A public artwork’s content and meaning, or what it ultimately communicates is very much dependent on who is looking. Physical location is also very important, and can influence one’s experience. The L.I.S.A. Project in NYC’s Little Italy neighborhood is a unique case study in public art programming with a focus on street art. Centralized on historic Mulberry Street for over the past 2 years, the L.I.S.A. Project exhibits to a diverse audience, which ranges from the local community to the countless tourists flocking to the neighborhood for an authentic Italian meal. In 2012, Comedy Manager Wayne Rada and RJ Rushmore of Vandalog worked with Little Italy Merchants Association President Ralph Tramontana to initiate the project, originally called “The Art of Comedy.” Presented by the New York…

So how did a seedy, rundown neighborhood in Brooklyn become one of the world’s premier street art galleries? The backstory is a positive one, illustrating how beauty and inspiration can rise from a place of pain and ruin. Photo by Halopig Joe Ficalora is a lifelong Bushwick resident. He is now in his mid-30s and…

The Bushwick Collective continues its expansion with the Harman St. mural row. It is as always an international crowd with newcomer to Bushwick Heesco from Mongolia and his collab with Damien Mitchell. Intro and Col Wallnuts do their distinctive conceptual graffiti styles contrasting next to Zimad and Fumero’s portraits. Put these murals all in one…