212 Arts is pleased to present a group exhibition of works on painted street signs sponsored by City Chateaus. The exhibition will feature works from: AIKO, ANGELONCE, BIO, CES, CHRIS RWK, DAMON JOHNSON, JAY SHELLS, KEO, NITE OWL, PAUL RICHARD, PATCH WHISKY, PETER PAID, PHOEBE NEW YORK, ZIMAD, ZERO PRODUCTIVITY, and ZIMER.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Chris RWK’s work.

A child of the 80s, Chris’ world was often completely flooded with the imagery and ideas presented by his television, his comic books, and the music and movies of the time. Immersed in these various mediums, Chris began to store the images brought forward though these everyday experiences in what he refers to as a “mental journal”. This journal was a haven of his thoughts that he could refer back to whenever necessary. Chris’ paintings frequently cite past conceptions of popular culture embedded in his psyche’s cache. This use of intertextuality also serves to offer a comfort or familiarity of sorts to the viewer. Chris’ works frequently reveal everyday musings and people one would pass on the street without looking or thinking about twice. These images also aid Chris in the creation of a visual language comprised of his own iconographic imagery. Through the repetition of this imagery, Chris strives to familiarize his viewers with the language he has constructed. Chris believes that the notions within his pieces serve as a backbone to the many stories created by the onlooker when he or she is viewing the work.

212 Arts is pleased to present a powerful solo exhibition of new works from Michael Alan entitled “2021 An Exploration”. His new series seeks to explore life and mortality through the lens of dark comedy while subtly referencing street culture as experienced by a native viewing New York’s changing landscape. Created in the 30 days leading up to his exhibit, the scope of work includes anatomy drawings, baseball card paintings, mixed media works, embellished digital prints, and the first edition of silkscreen prints of his signature white line work on black paper all of which speak to the dynamism of life in New York.

For Michael Alan, art is a combination of harmonious opposites, close observation, catharsis, a means of communication and a radical juxtaposition of dimensional elements. He challenges everything: concepts of figure, composition, media and movement, including the language of drawing. Exploring the ambiguity of time and history, Alan’s work focuses on translating energy into images.

Alan was born in the summer of 1977, in Bushwick during the New York City blackout.  His work has been featured in 16 New York solo shows, over 200 group shows, and over 300 Living Installations. His work has been discussed in over 600 publications, books and media sources, including the New York Times film and print, The Huffington Post, Bomb Magazine, Art 21, NBC’s Today Show, Marie Claire Italia, Frank 151, Art+Auction, the New York Post, the Village Voice’s “Best in Show”, The Creator’s Project, Art Forum, the Gothamist, Time Out New York, Vice, Frame, American Artist, Animal, Hyperallergic, Curbs and Stoops, GQ, architectural digest, Bust, vogue, NY Art news, and many more.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Chris RWK’s work.

A child of the 80s, Chris’ world was often completely flooded with the imagery and ideas presented by his television, his comic books, and the music and movies of the time. Immersed in these various mediums, Chris began to store the images brought forward though these everyday experiences in what he refers to as a “mental journal”. This journal was a haven of his thoughts that he could refer back to whenever necessary. Chris’ paintings frequently cite past conceptions of popular culture embedded in his psyche’s cache. This use of intertextuality also serves to offer a comfort or familiarity of sorts to the viewer. Chris’ works frequently reveal everyday musings and people one would pass on the street without looking or thinking about twice. These images also aid Chris in the creation of a visual language comprised of his own iconographic imagery. Through the repetition of this imagery, Chris strives to familiarize his viewers with the language he has constructed. Chris believes that the notions within his pieces serve as a backbone to the many stories created by the onlooker when he or she is viewing the work.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Paul Richard’s work entitled “Non-Essential Man”.

Despite his abilities as a representational painter in the gallery setting, Richard’s street art possesses a playful sense of spontaneity and quickness as he manages to capture the quintessential short-hand features of his subjects with nothing more than a dripped contour line of paint. While most artists prefer the vertical spaces in the city's landscape, the drip by its very nature must be on a flat surface, but this is not even the main reason Richard works in this orientation. Even before 1997 when he first moved to New York, Richard has always recognized that people's attention constantly scans the ground in front of them making it the perfect place to find an audience. The recognizability and popularity of his drip work is a testament to Richard’s creativity in using the sidewalk as his canvas.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Crash’s work entitled “Quarantine Machine”.

Born John Matos in 1961, CRASH was raised in the Bronx, New York. Taking the name “CRASH” after he accidentally crashed the computer in his school, his name began appearing on trains circulating all throughout New York City. By 1980, he began transitioning from train yards to galleries, he curated the ground-breaking "Graffiti Art Success for America" at Fashion MODA, launching the graffiti movement that has remained very active through today. CRASH’s career took off and he saw instant popularity throughout Europe and America, and eventually Asia. CRASH has been part of numerous museum and gallery shows around the world focusing on Graffiti and Street Art, and has works in many permanent museum collections. Visually iconic, he has partnered with many companies for projects including Absolut Vodka, Fender Guitars, SoBella Handbags, Levi’s, and most recently, Tumi luggage and Morphik. He continues to work and show both locally and internationally. Enjoy the awe and power of CRASH!

212 Arts is pleased to present a collaborative exhibit between Sinned and Ria.

Boxtruck Guardians murals have been roaming the streets and highways of the United States for over five years, maybe you’ve seen one. Sinned and Ria began hand painting these vibrant pieces in NYC at the request of different owners of box trucks, many of whom are immigrants from African and Caribbean nations, and the tag #boxtruckguardians was born. The husband and wife duo create characters who act as sentinels offering protection for each vehicle they are painted on.

The show “GUARDIANS” is comprised of custom built pieces that implement the same theme: bold creatures offering protection. Sinned drew a lot of inspiration from his passion for ancient Oceanic artwork, where masks, totems and sculptures were used to ward off evil spirits and protect the community. Ria gets most of her inspiration from her Puerto Rican roots, drawing on her family's deep Taino heritage.

Sinned and Ria have been painting in Astoria's Welling Court Mural Project for the past nine years. Last year they put up a character in Brooklyn for the Lisa Project’s World Pride Mural Project and for the past two years have been painting murals in Mexico for the Akumal Arts Festival.

Sinned has also been an illustrator, scenic painter, and carpenter in NYC for the past 15 years working for numerous clients in the fashion and advertising world. Ria is an accomplished singer, writer, and performer who has traveled the world on tour, has three feature films under her belt and a new screenplay underway. 

212 Arts is pleased to present Damon Johnson’s 4th solo exhibition at the gallery, entitled “The Bodega Blues”

The museum of modern art was one of Damon Johnson’s first stops after moving home from 5 years in Portland. While exploring this fabled institution he found himself captivated by Edward Hopper’s painting “Gas”. Struck by the loneliness, and eeriness of the work, Johnson couldn’t help but ruminate on the changes that New York has undergone since Hopper’s time there. Relating to the isolation of Hopper’s work and its timely nature in the context of adjusting to life in the global pandemic, Damon set out to capture the same sense of stillness that permeates anything lost in time. Utilizing marker and pen “The Bodega Blues” looks to make good on this promise utilizing darkness and light.

Johnson chose Bodegas as the focus of his new series, because they stand as quintessential symbols of New York that are integral to the lives of neighborhood residents. Whether as a gathering place or the source of your morning breakfast and coffee every New Yorker has “their” bodega. In the age of the global pandemic seeing these once flourishing shops and centers of neighborhood life empty and abandoned can’t help but make you feel a kinship with how Edward Hopper depicted the world through his art. While trying to capture the stillness of a Hopper painting Johnson added quotes to the signage relating to the pandemic that sought to address the resilience of New York as it overcomes this challenging period. Inspiring, energetic, still, and anxiety ridden, the series has become a visual diary spanning the course of the past 4 months.

In the past year Johnson has completed murals for The Ridge Hotel, The Lisa Project’s World Pride Mural Project, The Grand Street Bid, The Rose & Thistle in Portland OR and The Art Hotel in Palm Springs, CA.  The artist has continued his practice of graffiti and street art on the streets of Portland, Oregon for the past 5 past years.

Johnson has also collaborated with companies and brands including: Design Within Reach, The Surf Lodge in Montauk, the U.S. OPEN, The Jue Lan Club, 2 Buts, Pink Elephant, Eleven, Go-Go, Retox, and Webster Hall.

Johnson’s work has been displayed in such galleries as Long View Gallery, Mark Murray Fine Arts, Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, Factory Fresh, Octavia Gallery, Sotheby’s, Half Gallery, and The New Museum. Press features and favorable reviews have appeared in such publications as Gotham Magazine, Forbes Magazine, Radar, Zink, SOS, Hampton’s Magazine, The City Review, The Daily News, The New York Post, The New York Observer and The New York Times. His work is in the permanent collection of the Patterson, Hamilton, and Chelsea Art Museums.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Bluster’s work.

EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN comes as the world goes through a metamorphosis.  The optimistic belief for hope during life in quarantine generates a shift in the creative process.  An emotionally charged time that instigates various levels of growth and understanding as a result.  A change in the voracious appetite of art-making can be witnessed on the painted surfaces in his first virtual exhibition; from the painted hands, denim jacket, paper, CD carrying case and canvases. 

BlusterOne's pursuit to push and produce new work as a means to perfect his language invites you to experience his new collection on June 4th.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of the works of Zimad opening May 7th.

Luis Zimad Lamboy was born in the South Bronx in 1965. In the late 1970’s he began his career as a graffiti and street artist, which has heavily influenced his style and global brand. He attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC between 1988 and 1990 where he studied textile Surface designing after being awarding a scholarship. As a self taught artist, he began to combine his skills with formal training in design to develop the unique and contemporary styles he is best known for today. His first show was in 1984 at Fashion Moda, a gallery best known for first showcasing graffiti art in NYC. Since then, he has showed and sold his work globally including exhibitions in the United States, Russia, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Philippines, Vietnam, Ecuador, Panama and Netherlands. His clients include many major brands such as Nike, MTV, Modello, Corona, Red Bull, Lions Gate Films, Jacob & Co. and State Farm as well as many private clients and celebrities.

He has appeared in dozens of documentaries and has been interviewed and invited to participate in shows and projects all over the world. His influences come from Salvador Dali, Jean Michele Basquiat and, Jeff Koons. Luis Lamboy sees art as a living timeless force. He lives and breathes art and sees it in everything from architecture, to nature. His works incorporate his experiences and histories often forgotten lessons, which he hopes will educate and inspire people all over the world for generations to come.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new works on paper from Adam Fujita. In response to the current conditions imposed by the Covid-19 virus, this exhibition marks a special milestone in that it’s our first fully virtual exhibit, which can be viewed here. While nothing can replace being able to see an exhibit in person this virtual platform allows us to further our mission of making art more accessible.

Adam has collaborated with Monster Energy, Adidas, Shake Shack, The Brooklyn Nets, Coach, and Gov Ball amongst many other companies. His recent neon style work has been an exploration of protest and resistance through the use of the medium of street art and the internet. As a response to the election results of 2016 in the US Adam has been using the neon as a metaphor for "keeping the lights on " this volatile and dangerous Trump administration. Not willing to let them operate behind the shadows of Washington DC."  Adam has been making political statements and protests with his neon street art and graffiti most of his adult life. He has addressed gender issues, police violence, women's rights, corporate greed, nativism and more with his neon style street art. Adam has a 25 year history writing graffiti starting in San Francisco in the early 1990s and has been working and living in NYC since 2001.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Chris RWK’s work.

A child of the 80s, Chris’ world was often completely flooded with the imagery and ideas presented by his television, his comic books, and the music and movies of the time. Immersed in these various mediums, Chris began to store the images brought forward though these everyday experiences in what he refers to as a “mental journal”. This journal was a haven of his thoughts that he could refer back to whenever necessary. Chris’ paintings frequently cite past conceptions of popular culture embedded in his psyche’s cache. This use of intertextuality also serves to offer a comfort or familiarity of sorts to the viewer. Chris’ works frequently reveal everyday musings and people one would pass on the street without looking or thinking about twice. These images also aid Chris in the creation of a visual language comprised of his own iconographic imagery. Through the repetition of this imagery, Chris strives to familiarize his viewers with the language he has constructed. Chris believes that the notions within his pieces serve as a backbone to the many stories created by the onlooker when he or she is viewing the work.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Paul Richard’s work, “Linear Man”. Despite his abilities as a representational painter in the gallery setting, Richard’s street art possesses a playful sense of spontaneity and quickness as he manages to capture the quintessential short-hand features of his subjects with nothing more than a dripped contour line of paint. While most artists prefer the vertical spaces in the city's landscape, the drip by its very nature must be on a flat surface, but this is not even the main reason Richard works in this orientation. Even before 1997 when he first moved to New York, Richard has always recognized that people's attention constantly scans the ground in front of them making it the perfect place to find an audience. The recognizability and popularity of his drip work is a testament to Richard’s creativity in using the sidewalk as his canvas.

212 Arts is pleased to present George Rollo’s first US solo exhibit.

George Rollo is a 21 year old, U.K. based artist, who started painting at the age of 8. His artwork has been collected by some of the most influential names in the music world, such as 50 Cent, Pia Mia, members of OctobersVeryOwn, and Kid Ink. Most recently he has completed a collaboration for a new t shirt line with Drake.

212 Arts is pleased to present Damon Johnson’s 3rd solo exhibition at the gallery, entitled “Animal Kingdom.” Using his unique aesthetic of blending wheat pasting, graffiti, and street art, Damon has explored the animal kingdom though the lens of pop culture including cartoons, tattoos, skateboard graphics, and comic book imagery.  Inspired by the quote “I was raised in the Animal Kingdom of NY” by the hip hop artists Natural Elements, Johnson weaved this diverse imagery through highly layered backgrounds of vintage comic books and supermarket circulars.  The artist explains, “We really are no different than animals, you have your predators and prey. At the end of the day we all just the want the same essentials as animals. Food, Shelter, Sex, and Power.  Some us are just more savage then others.”

In the past year Johnson has completed murals for The Ridge Hotel, The Lisa Project’s World Pride Mural Project, Drip Project, The Grand Street Bid, The Rose & Thistle in Portland OR and The Art Hotel in Palm Springs, CA.  The artist has continued his practice of graffiti and street art on the streets of Portland, Oregon for the past 5 past years.

Johnson has also collaborated with companies and brands including: Design Within Reach, The Surf Lodge in Montauk, the U.S. OPEN, The Jue Lan Club, 2 Buts, Pink Elephant, Eleven, Go-Go, Retox, and Webster Hall.

Johnson’s work has been displayed in such galleries as Long View Gallery, Mark Murray Fine Arts, Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, Factory Fresh, Octavia Gallery, Sotheby’s, Half Gallery, and The New Museum. Press features and favorable reviews have appeared in such publications as Gotham Magazine, Forbes Magazine, Radar, Zink, SOS, Hampton’s Magazine, The City Review, The Daily News, The New York Post, The New York Observer and The New York Times. His work is in the permanent collection of the Patterson, Hamilton, and Chelsea Art Museums.

212 Arts is pleased to present the US debut show of London based artist Mr Cenz on Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 6:00-9:30 pm. For his exhibit entitled “Soul Searching” Mr Cenz delves deeper into the essence of his futuristic style by stripping back elements to focus on the raw abstract nature of his work. Displaying a series of dynamic works on canvas and paper which explore the ethereal nature of portraiture, he invites visitors to come and get lost in the surreal world of his creations. While known for his large scale, vibrant murals, Mr Cenz’s new work proves that he can capture the same level of dynamic movement in his drawings even with the absence of color.

212 Arts is pleased to present an upcoming solo show featuring the photography of Mike Schreiber titled “Woodstock ‘99”. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the day the 90’s died, the show features photos taken by Mike - on assignment for Spin magazine - of one of the most infamous cultural gatherings of the late 20th century. From security abandoning their posts to join the crowds, to rioters burning the place down, this concert is still remembered in infamy 20 years later. The opening will be on October 3rd from 6-9:30PM at 523 E 12th St.

Originally from NY, Mike has been a professional photographer for over 20 years, gaining international notoriety shooting for publications such as Spin, Esquire, XXL, The Source, Vibe and trace, as well as many brands and record labels. He’s had solo shows in New York, Paris, Chicago, Miami, London and Atlanta. His first book, True Hip-Hop was published in 2010 by Mark Batty Publishing. Most recently, Schreiber self-published the Woodstock ‘99 book to coincide with the exhibition

Schreiber’s photos depict the chaotic, dirty and sometimes dangerous crowds that spread over a hot air force tarmac in Rome, New York to see bands such as Rage Against The Machine, DMX, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn and Limp Bizkit, just to name a few. Visceral photos of concert goers covered in mud, sunburnt and rioting dominate his coverage of the event, but includes gems of Willie Nelson, Questlove, The Chili Peppers and Kid Rock both onstage and off. In Mike’s own words, “It was a shitshow”.

212 Arts is pleased to present our four year anniversary exhibition. We’ve had an incredible year filled with dynamic shows, an outpouring of support, and talented artists. We feel the lineup that we have assembled is indicative of some of our accomplishments over the past year as well as the direction we strive to keep the gallery moving. As we look forward to our participation in Basel as well as a robust exhibition schedule, we would like to thank all of our advocates who have helped make this year the success that it was.

Featuring works by

Wizard Skull, Zimer, Ryan Thomas Monahan, MIchael Summers, Patch Whisky, Chris RWK, Adam Fujita, Ces, Chris Guest, Coinslot, Ermsy, Paul Richard, My Dog Sighs, Rubin 415, ASVP, Solus, Amar Stewart, Nite Owl, Harry Bones, Trike, Producer BDB, Phoebe New York, Musa 71, Ahol Sniffs Glue, Jill Ricci, Joseph Grazi, Keo, Bluster, Jay Shells, Paid, Zimad, Adam Lister, Eric Inkala, Andre Veloux, Plastic Jesus, Rob Plater, Emilio Ramos, Zero Productivity, Dave Pollot, Kira Lee, Pipsqueak Was Here, Mediah, Noah Scalin, Color Orgy, Matt Corrado, Nina Palomba, John Kenn Mortenson, Tommy Helm, Dina Brodsky, Jason Tudor, Lizzie Gill, Damon Johnson, Michael Ponte and Many More

NoBigWordsHere is a suggestion as to how the viewer should digest the work. The viewer is asked not associate labels to it or even try to understand the creative interaction between the unpainted surface and the artist, but rather to let go and enjoy the ride. For his first solo exhibition, a Lower East Side native, BlusterOne, has committed to building this body of work without a premeditated regimented process, without a sketch or even a plan.  Every piece begins as a leap of faith, from the free flowing orange background color washes to the crisp black gesso lines.  An orgy landscape of unrecognizable human and letter forms. He adopts the vibrant black and orange color pallet as a personal homage to Keith Haring’s “Crack Is Wack” murals.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition featuring Zimad’s series of painted street signs

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Eric Inkala’s new works.

212 Arts is pleased to present a group exhibit curated by Rob Aloia. The exhibit features the work of ASVP, Bluster, Duel, Ghost, Giz, and Queen Andrea.

This evolving installation presents the viewer with visions of futuristic antiquities, where the artist creates sculptural versions of esoteric idolatry reminiscent of past civilizations, presented in an installation consisting of sculptural pieces combined with paintings and drawings. Through re-appropriating imagery from multiple cultures; the artist creates a new yet familiar version of religious iconography. Building on these themes of religion, Porkchop has created an installation that combines elements of design with sculpture and re-purposed found objects, giving the viewer the opportunity to experience the visuals of this quasi-religion..Through the repurposing of the found objects, the artist gives them a new narrative, with new identity and purpose, which is a practice that plays on themes of religious augmentation. The viewer is often left with a possible new mythology reminiscent of past doctrines. The 20 characters, which Porkchop has created, have become the constant and repeated motif that connects the works. The characters are present in all the works within the installation. They are of an imagined language that is visually similar to ancient texts. The centerpiece of the installation is entitled ”Zayamara”. She is a deity that is reminiscent of a “Naga”, which is a semi-divine deity that is half human and half cobra that protects the waterways, like lakes, rivers and seas. In Porkchop’s sculptural creations, you will find echos of ancient Egypt, while at the same time finding elements within the design that produces a futuristic feel.

212 Arts is pleased to present a new solo exhibition from NYC collage and street artist Libby Schoettle featuring her alter ego, PhoebeNewYork, on Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 6:00-9:30 pm. Elisabeth Schoettle was named “1 of 10 Rising Street Artists Who Are Taking the Art Form Beyond Banksy” by Artnet News.

Her new exhibit entitled “Wall to Wall” will celebrate the always vulnerable, yet strong PhoebeNewYork, while laying bare how imperfect the life of a woman and an artist can be.

In this show, PhoebeNewYork is clearly conjured from an alchemy of the artist’s intimate introspections and public persona. Through her distinctively raw, cut-out forms PhoebeNewYork reveals so much about identity, woman-power, and rebellion.

PhoebeNewYork is a NYC street art mainstay: a character beloved for connecting with passersby and Instagram admirers as they relate to her experiences of feeling misunderstood, isolated, and underestimated.

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of the work of Lenny Achan

212 Arts is pleased to present a solo exhibition of the work of prolific artist AM DeBrincat entitled “Delirious”. Originating in Brooklyn, AM has been gaining international notoriety with solo shows in Australia and Sweden. Her use of “lush” colors and flowery scenes in her mixed media works is reminiscent of Frida Kahlo and Picasso, who she says inspires her.

DeBrincat’s paintings depict “unique worlds where online and offline merge into each other” and create a new type of human. Sourcing her images from social media, AM transforms them through xerox print transfer onto canvas and brings them to life by combining acrylic and oil paint. She has been interviewed by ArtMaze Magazine, Klassik Magazine, and Expose Art Magazine amongst others and has had her work featured in over 50 exhibitions.