As you can probably tell, since launching our competition, we can’t get enough of all things New York and we’re dangerously close to shutting up shop and heading straight to the airport! Whether you’re planning a longer trip or a weekend getaway, it can be hard to fully experience the essence of the city. Well, what represents the city’s bright and vibrant personality better than the diverse street art and graffiti murals hidden within it?
2 World Trade Centre
As part of the redevelopment of the former site of the Twin Towers, the construction of ‘2 World Trade Centre’ is well underway. In true New York style, the site has been transformed into a riot of technicolour street art. Located at 200 Greenwich Street, 50 artists have been given giant corrugated-metal facades to cover in their unique designs with the aim of uplifting an area burdened with such a loss.
As a result, the large number of people who visit to pay their respects to those who lost their lives on 9/11 are greeted with work by international artists such as Brolga, BoogieRez and Hektad. Our personal favourite is Todd Gray’s creation which draws inspiration from Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein and links with his many paintings and sculptures relating to the 1960s Pop art movement.
The installation is currently on display until June 2019 so if you’re heading to the ‘big apple’ before then, be sure to check this out!
The Bushwick Collective
The Bushwick Collective is, in short, an outdoor street art gallery located on Flushing Avenue in the heart of Brooklyn. However the community project represents so much more than that. The founder, Joseph Ficalora, is motivated to improve the neighbourhood he grew up in following the murder of his father and has built the outdoor gallery of legally presented street art.
The yearly presentation of local and international artists is launched with the Block Party which combines street art, graffiti, music and food. During the event people are encouraged to come and see the artists at work as the murals are updated.
If you don’t happen to be travelling during the Block Party date then you can always take the L train to Jefferson Street station and make an afternoon of wandering round the gallery with a coffee and a bagel. What’s more ‘New York’ than that?!
Coney Art Walls
Open daily from 12-8pm, the Coney Art Walls are a key feature of the popular New York destination of Coney Island. Whether you want a break from the beach in summer or some shelter from the wind in autumn these free standing concrete wall offer a bright and creative solution to both.
The site features renowned local artists with international talent against the backdrop of one of Coney Islands 50+ amusement rides. The island itself has a long standing tradition of being where true New Yorkers go to escape the city, so it’s no wonder that the site sees tens of thousands of visitors each season.
One of the most interesting pieces currently on display (in our opinion!), is by British artist D*Face. He has become known for his use of pop-art influences and witty, imaginative designs that explore a range current topics and issues with eye-popping, esoteric characters. The two characters pictured above appear in multiple murals and galleries across the world so be sure to keep an eye out for them!
Graffiti Hall of Fame
Since its creation by Ray ‘Sting Ray’ Rodriguez in 1980, the ‘Graffiti Hall of Fame’ has attracted artists from all over the world as a place to practice and refine their craft. However, the site is now used exclusively to showcase only the best talent, with a rotating line up of street artists leaving their tags.
Unexpectedly the outdoor Gallery is located within the playground of the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex in East Harlem. While this adds to the overall quirkiness of this site, it is perhaps best to avoid visiting during school hours!
However, this isn’t the only must see street art in East Harlem. Most of the streets throughout the borough are peppered with amazing artwork but perhaps the most iconic is the ‘Crack is Wack’ mural by Keith Haring. How could we write a feature on New York Street Art and not mention this?!
Whilst the piece has been vandalised, whited out, repainted and then restored, the admiration for it is as strong today as it was in 1986. Originally painted, illegally, as a political statement about New York’s growing drug problem, the mural has since led to the park it stands in being renamed as the ‘ Crack is Wack Playground’. It now stands as the perfect symbol for how the creativity and beauty can emerge from the grittiest streets and darkest chapters of this incredible city.
Let us know if you decide to visit any of these locations (or if you find any others worth mentioning!) via our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Also don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about future competitions and special sale events like this week’s Black Friday Event.
