GRAFFOLUTION

Soapstone gallery presents GRAFFOLUTION: the evolution of graffiti and street art



Curated by Frankie Velez and Mike McManus, the exhibition will feature artists from the early days of graffiti to the current graffiti and street art scene. Contributing artists are from Spain, France and the US.



Featured work by Billi Kid, Joe Iurato, Matt Siren, UR New York and Veng (from SUSHISAMBA's Eames Inspiration collection). Additional participants include: Subtexture, See One, Sae Ster, Eric Orr, Meres, Joe Russo, Rob Luciano, Fumero, Vickipages, Josh Goldstein, Masahiro Ito, Peat Wollaeger (stenSOUL), Daniel “Krave” Fila, Charlie Green, Toofly, Erotica, Abe Lincoln Jr., Clark Fly ID, Ribs, KA, Ellis G, Slave, Sane 2, GiGi Bio, Haloz, Anera, Armo, DIL, TMNK (Nobody), Grimace, Shine, NEMO, Etaks.one, Oliver Rios, Bader Israel, Sienide, Aaron Spaze Crafte, Jeneveive, Royce Bannon, and Reskew



Opening reception is this Thursday, July 15th 7pm – 11pm
Soapstone Gallery / 11th West 36th Street between 5th and 6th Ave., 5th FL

Sofia Maldonado's Concrete Jungle Divas

With the arrival of summer come celebrations of block parties, barbeques, beaches, and a new season of fresh exhibitions and art projects. If you are eager for a weekend in the city, experience the culture of New York and beyond with an art-centric Staycation. If you have not yet ventured to Chelsea this month, it is not too late to beat the heat and enjoy the host of new shows. We recommend Concrete Jungle Divas at the Magnan Metz Gallery, second solo show of Sofia Maldonado.

Sofia Maldonado is a painter mixing interdisciplinary art practice with street culture. The use of color in her works portrays her admiration for the Caribbean landscape, city chaos and the abandoned structures within. There is an evident blend of fashion, the Latina female aesthetic and street culture in her visual concept. Born in Puerto Rico from a Cuban mother in 1984, she pursued undergraduate work in art and design at La Escuela de Artes Plasticas and received her Painting MFA from Pratt Institute, New York in 2006. Sofia lives and paints in Brooklyn. http://www.sofiamaldonado.com/

In Concrete Jungle Divas, Maldonado dives into the issue of power and femininity across cultural lines. With the primary use of street and graffiti art, she knows the struggle of thriving in a profession run by males. Here you will find a series of 7 x 3ft dyptich and tryptich canvases, featuring famous female recording artists: Beyonce, J-Lo, Lady GaGa and Rihanna painted on shimmery gold and black backgrounds. These divas represent sex, work and fashion.

Concrete Jungle Divas will be on display until July 17, 2010

Shiro presents Graff Delight

GGG 2009 participating artist Shiro is back in the US for her next solo exhibition. Held at Da Bakery shop and gallery in the Bronx, NYC, she will be sure to create a stir with her enthusiastic persona and edgy content of her characteristic work.

Shiro  has been expressing her own vision of the world through the unique characters in her work. Her colorful artwork is a reflection of her love for true graffiti and hip-hop. Over the years she has been touched by the essence and soul of hip-hop culture and old school graffiti styles. Her devotion to this medium afforded her the opportunity to work with many great artists. She decided to stay in NY and develop her talent as an artist. From 2002 to 2004, she lived in Brooklyn and Queens, and could be found painting in the city on a regular basis. She has performed in various live painting events, participated in gallery art shows and been a part of graffiti crew gatherings in the world. She also participated in community awareness murals and other large-scale graffiti projects all over New York City and Japan. In Japan, Shiro has worked with people in the hip-hop industry, organizing graffiti shows and live painting events in her hometown of Shizuoka and participates in painting events in surrounding areas. In addition to her murals, she has worked on canvases, illustrations, and has designed and produced original theater stage decorations. She also works as a nurse in a hospital, caring people who need assistance in critical parts of their lives. Witnessing this trauma helps stimulate her and broaden her perspectives on life. She continues to express this message through her artwork: “We exist RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE!”

In this case, “here” is Da Bakery NYC at 1700 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. Opening reception begins this Friday, July 2, at 6:30pm. Come get a taste of her work!

Take a Seat and Enjoy the Show

In anticipation for the 4th annual GGG exhibition during Art Basel, Miami Beach, SUSHISAMBA has purchased the ‘Eames Inspiration’ collection. The Eames Office, Eames Foundation and Herman Miller teamed up with Public Works Department of New York to produce this unique collection.  This limited-edition set of Eames Chairs was re-imagined by 20 street and graffiti artists, and curated by photographer Luna Park and street art celebrity Billi Kid.

“By smashing together the classic and iconic image of the Eames chair with the nonconformist, bold vision of street art, we hope to present a unique opportunity to art and design enthusiasts while shining a light on the important work of Operation Design,” said Billi Kid.

All proceeds will benefit Operation Design, a not-for-profit organization that believes great design creates a better environment for learning. Operation Design works with artists and design professionals to provide mentorships and creative programs to kids in New York City public schools leading to the improvement and renovation of their classrooms. The 20 prominent artists involved were enthusiastic to contribute their time and talent to such an inspiring project.

SUSHISAMBA is eagerly planning further display of the newly acquired set and the work of these movers and shakers of the street art world at GGG during Art Basel, Miami Beach, 2010. We continue to support the efforts of Operation Design.

Stay tuned for video coverage of the closing event, held at the Cheryl Hazan Gallery.

Two of the featured chairs: ‘NYC Layers’ by UR New York and ‘Favela Kid #3’ by GGG 2009 participating artist, Billi Kid

*photo credit Billi Kid

The set of Eames Molded Plywood Chairs was on display in Barney’s New York window (Madison Avenue and 61st Street) May 11 – June 1, 2010 

*photo credit Billi Kid

Graffiti Gone Global at the National Arts Club

Graffiti Gone Global, the international street art fair presented by SUSHISAMBA, took on New York for one night at the National Arts Club. A COMPLETE SUCCESS, visitors had the opportunity to listen to a recap of this year's exhibition from curator Karla Murray, Concept Developer Shimon Bokovza and two of the participating artists; Sofia Maldonado and Billi Kid.

 National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South

Shimon Bokovza, Concept Developer of Graffiti Gone Global, talks about the relevance of street art in relation to SUSHISAMBA 

GGG at National Arts Club

Join us on January 12, 2010 as GGG presents an art lecture at the National Arts Club. Come meet Shimon Bokovza, Karla Murray and the GGG artists.

The walls of SUSHISAMBA strip and work of - artists Flip in Interior Design Magazine

Featured in the July issue of Interior Design Magazine:

Designer: ICrave Design
Project: SUSHISAMBA Strip and Sugarcane Lounge, Las Vegas.
Standout At the latest iteration of a Japanese-Brazilian fusion chain, the ceiling is populated by ribbons of glass-reinforced gypsum-board and tubes of acrylic, bamboo, or copper, while graffiti murals by Felipe Yung wrap the walls.
Photography: Francis George and Francis Baytan