Street Art in New York
From giant walls to exciting new spaces, in this article we present our must-sees. Each of these works pays homage to the best of street art and graffiti in New York City.
History & Journey of Street Art in New York
THE Street Art was born in New York in the 1970s, a time when the city was bankrupt and plagued by crime. Almost in response to the chaos, young children in the Bronx and Brooklyn began covering subway cars and buildings with graffiti...
Admittedly, it was an illegal and sometimes dangerous activity, but it created an art form that spread throughout the world. Today, this art is just as present in galleries and museums worldwide as so-called "classical" art. (There are numerous Street Art museums in New York.)
While the Bronx and Alphabet City were burning, Manhattan is became a haven of peace for billionaire financiers and foreign oligarchs. Their real estate investments have driven up rents to the point of making the five districts unlivable for anyone who is not "rich" . Or, ready to spend all their income on an apartment.
Yet, Street Art thrives, ironically, as an activity sanctioned and sponsored by business owners and groups community, and even developers. But don't worry: This art is still imbued with the same panache and character that made it so compelling at the time. Today, there are thousands of masterpieces . Street art is well-known in New York.
In this article, we we offer you a carefully selected range of works Street Art that we recommend you visit if you ever find yourself in New York 🗽🚕 😀. The streets of its neighborhoods are a veritable Street Art gallery.
1. Banksy Street Art New York: Hammer Boy
Banksy is known for his love of New York City. In 2013, he staged a month-long "show" across the city, titled "Better Out Than In".
Unfortunately, most of his work has been covered over and/or demolished, either to be vandalized or sold. Thanks to the building's owner , this modest Upper West Side stencil remains intact. The owner installed a plexiglass shield to protect the work of our great British graffiti artist.
If you appreciate Banksy's art, we invite you to take a look at our Street Art collection. A whole section of it is dedicated to Banksy's works . This is the perfect opportunity for you, Street Art enthusiast, to fill the empty spaces on your walls with stunning canvas prints. (100% European production and delivery in 6 days.)
Address : 79th St between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave
2. Commemorative mural: Big Pun
This is the second piece on our New York Street Art tour. This tribute to the Puerto Rican rapper Big Pun (aka Big Punisher, aka Christopher Lee Rios) , who died in 2000, was created by the graffiti artists Tats Cru. This artwork is located in the Bronx and is repainted every year on November 10th, Big Pun's birthday.
This is a fitting reminder of the deep ties between the community in this neighborhood and Big Pun. Note that he was the first Latino rapper to achieve platinum status as a solo artist. This painting makes this part of the city a true New York street art district.
Address : 910 Rogers Place, Bronx
3. Audubon's Wall Project
The Audubon Society has partnered with the Gitler &_____ gallery in Hamilton Heights for a commission of several Street Art murals. These are primarily located in Upper Manhattan.
Dedicated to birds threatened by climate change, their fine, colorful plumage creates striking images. If you're interested and wondering where to see street art in New York , you can find out by downloading the location map from the project's website .
4. Bronx: Wall of Fame
This epic block in the South Bronx is only unofficially known as the "Wall of Fame." It's a shame, because it deserves real recognition; unfortunately (Street Art Gallery New York) , plans are underway to demolish this community landmark in favor of affordable housing.
The wall's pedigree is undeniable: Iz the Wiz, the Queens legend, Phetus from Long Island, and the LA MSK crew represent just a small fraction of the artists who have created graffiti, murals, and messages across its bricks. Time is running out for you! It's time to head to New York to see this work of art before the bricks crumble... Clearly, this is where you'll take your best New York street art photos .
Address : E 173rd St at West Farms Rd, Bronx
5. Bowery Graffiti Wall
Keith Haring was the first big name to paint this wall in 1982. But its generous surface area and enviable location have inspired countless artists to follow his example, including legends like Banksy, JR and Shepard Fairey.
Address : Houston St at Bowery
6. The Bushwick Collective
Bushwick native Joe Ficalora has made his neighborhood a must-see destination by transforming it into a vast 12-block open-air museum showcasing graffiti artists from around the world .
While walking the streets near the Jefferson Street L train stop, keep an eye out for the photorealistic and moving portrait of the Sicilian duo Rosk & Loste, as well as the Vexx tiger mural.
Address : Starts at Troutman St and St. Nicholas Ave
7. The temple of graffiti
Founded in 1980 by activist Ray "Sting Ray" Rodriguez to promote the positive attributes of graffiti, this East Harlem wall has evolved over time into a place where graffiti and the hip-hop culture associated with it can flourish.
Address : 106th St at Park Ave
8. Johnson Avenue and its graffiti
This industrial block in Bushwick offers prime wall space for street artists from around the world.
A walk along the avenue's warehouses might lead you to colorful murals by Rime (aka Jersey Joe) , Swiss artist Tones One and/or Host 18.
Address : Johnson Avenue off Bogart Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
9. The World Trade Center
If you need further proof that Street Art has become legal, look no further than these graffiti on a metal shed covering the foundations of 2 World Trade Center.
Artists Todd Gray, Hektad, BoogieRez, Stickymonger, and the husband-and-wife duo Chinon Maria and Sebastian Mitre covered the structure with luminous images inspired by Pop Art and anime , creating an oasis of color—a welcome element in an area (the Financial District) where the palette is, to say the least, muted.
10. Hunts Point
Tats Cru, a longtime Bronx pioneer, invited, among others, his old friend Goldie, British stencil pioneer Nick Walker, the renowned Seventh Letter team, Crash and Evoke, to paint on the facade.
Out of respect for the building owner, they avoid sculpture, wheat dough, and overt politicization, but everything else is allowed. Check their news section for their next big artist gathering and perhaps a possible contribution from Tats' original collaborator: Fat Joe!
Address : Drake St at Spofford Ave, Bronx
11. North 6th St: an urban paradise for graffiti artists
It's no secret! Williamsburg's industrial Northside has been almost entirely reconfigured into an urban paradise for young professionals.
Not all abandoned warehouses have been claimed. So, in recent years, Banksy and Nick Walker have left their unique mark of artistic vandalism on these places.
Address : North 6th St between Bedford and Kent Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
12. The walls of Coney Art
Organized by real estate magnate Joseph J. Sitt and art dealer Jeffrey Deitch, this exhibition still takes place thanks to old-school innovators like Lee Quiñones, Crash, Tats Cru and Mister Cartoon.
The current lot includes a Pop Art inspired mural by D*Face and a fantasia mermaid by the cheeky duo from the London police.
Address : 3050 Stillwell Ave, Coney Island
13. Crack is madness: Keith Haring
In 1986, on a Harlem handball court, Keith Haring spewed this exuberant public service announcement, inspired by a studio assistant who had become addicted to drugs. Although he painted the work without permission, at the very moment when crack cocaine was becoming notorious, the message of the work and Haring's stature quickly earned the mural the city's blessing, and it is being restored today.
Address : 128th St at Second Ave
14. Along the J/M/Z line
The captive public aboard the MTA's longest elevated train line has inspired artists from across the city and around the world to fill the Brooklyn section near the J/M/Z with as many tags, graffiti, and murals as it can handle.
It even inspired a group called JMZ Walls (@jmzwalls) to not only archive everything, but also to bring together artists and property owners who want to support their work.
15. The King of New York
Based on the iconic portrait by New York photographer Barron Claiborne, this three-story mural of the famous BIG is both the largest of the city's many memorial paintings to deceased rappers (including Big Pun and Sean Price) and the most popular, bringing a flood of visitors to Biggie's former stomping grounds.
Address : Bedford Ave at Quincy St
16. Tuff City
This tattoo shop and gallery, located in the upscale Lower East Side, has become a haven for graffiti artists since 2007.
The building is surrounded by distinctive lettering, but the main attraction is the impressive 4-meter-high subway car. A decorative tribute that is becoming increasingly common these days. At the rear of the building, you can see life-size pieces, colorful characters, and graffiti of all kinds. For example, works by the Brazilian twins Os Gêmeos, Cope2, Iz the Wiz, and dozens of their peers.
Address : 650 Fordham Rd at Belmont Ave, Bronx
17. Project 100 Gates
The portals in question belong to businesses participating in this unique Street Art program covering the Lower East Side. In it, retailers looking for a taste of this vibrant street art scene are connected with artists seeking a legally authorized space to produce and exhibit their work.
To date, over 75 murals have been created, ranging from Buff Monster's elastic flying brain for Bondy's Cameras and Appliance to Billy the Picassoid artist's faces for Michele Olivieri's Sneaker Mecca. A full list of the artworks and locations can be found on the 100 Gates project website.
Address : Lower East Side
It was very difficult for us to shorten this list any further... All these outdoor artworks, each more exceptional than the last, stir the very hearts of us passionate art lovers . We hope that after reading this, you will have found the answers to your questions. We also hope that you enjoyed the virtual tour and, above all, that a new Street Art enthusiast has been born today.
If a visit to the magnificent city of New York isn't currently on the agenda, you can opt for our canvas prints (much more economical and faster). They will Excellent wall decorations for your humble abode.
See you soon.
The Lofty Trend Team.
