Crash

Broken English

Jonathan Levine Gallery

Pictured above is John “Crash” Matos and Monica Welsh at the gallery opening for Broken English. Amazing show with very tight canvasses cropped to contain the frenetic, yet very pop-y sensibilities of the canvases. Bright colors and a very cool 80’s vibe that feels timeless. These would be great pieces to own. Be sure to check out the Museum of New York City’s show entitled City as Canvas. It features Crash’s work as well as a huge trove of seminal early NYC graffiti from the collection of Martin Wong. Check it out.

jonathanlevinegallery.com

City As Canvas

The Collection of Martin Wong

Museum of the City of New York

Early collection for graffiti in NYC that traces the origins of tags with the street numbers the tag writers were from all the way through to the 80’s with full subway car take-overs. Early artists including DAZE, Keith Haring, Lee Quinones, Lady Pink, Kenny Scharf, Futura 2000 and many more. This is an expansive collection of one possessed individual who saw the early value of this burgeoning art movement. He died of AIDs in 1999, but left his collection of graffiti and graffiti “Black Books” to the city of New York to share with everyone. This is a seminal show, Check it out!

mcny.org

Keith Haring

Paintings and Tarps from the 1980’s

Very graphic paintings in his preeminent style. A great chance to see visuals you probably haven’t seen before. AIDS themed paintings and tarpaulins. It always warms the heart to see his work, but this is a lot more provocative subject matter that ultimately caused his death at 31. Large and powerful. Check it out.

gladstonegallery.com