dreadnatty
Junior Member
Posts • 5,431
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February 2013
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‘Wild Style’ Graffiti Pioneer Lee Quinones on NY Street Art, by dreadnatty on May 5, 2015 1:35:14 GMT 1, From Vandal to Legend: ‘Wild Style’ Graffiti Pioneer Lee Quinones on NY Street Art
observer.com/2015/05/from-vandal-to-legend-wild-style-graffiti-pioneer-lee-quinones-on-ny-street-art/
In 1975, New York City’s subway cars were the canvas of choice for artist Lee Quinones, aka LEE, and his work could be seen all over town. Now, almost 40 years later, the artist is taking a look back at his beginnings with a pop-up show of his first drawings at Nicole Klagsbrun’s Lower East Side gallery, on view through June 7. The show is a mix of old and new, featuring never before shown sketches for the subway murals that helped earn him a spot in history as one of the leading figures of contemporary street art, a brand new painting, and 10 recent drawings.
Mr. Quinones’ early graffiti work caught the eye of the art world, and lead him to shows like the seminal “Times Square Show” in 1980, exhibitions at the New Museum, MoMA, and Documenta in Kassel, Germany, as well Gladstone Gallery, Galerie Rudolf Zwirner, and Lisson Gallery. And of course, you may recognize him if you’ve seen Charlie Ahearn’s 1983 film Wild Style.
In the early drawings, some as long as 45-inches across, Mr. Quinones’ inspiration came via New York’s struggling economy, Vietnam-era politics, and comics and cartoons.
“I was highly inspired by the comics of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, and the advertisements of the time. There was comfort in the fantasy of it,” Mr. Quinones told the Observer by phone, while working in his studio. “Art is a huge part of social maintenance, it’s the true word on the street.
In Hagar the Horrible (1978), a drawing done in marker and spray paint which became a full scale subway car mural on the 2 train line later that year, a band of warriors stumble upon a tombstone for the artist, inscribed with the word “Loner.” A bright red and orange sunset fills the background, a flood of rainbow colors pour across the page, and a hand emerges from the grave.
“The old work is very dark, young, and heroic—there was a sense of urgency about the time. I was being very sarcastic with my work. And they’re also very wild and colorful,” he explained.
Mr. Quinones’ work has changed too. Golpe de Suerte (2013), which translates to “serendipity,” is a reflection on family and identity. The piece includes recipes and writings by the artist’s mother, collaged together with personal items, and is a standout among his newest works.
“I love sneaking a message in disguise. I like to work less now, to bring more to the plate. And my new work reflects that. It’s more of a spiritual, personal piece— probably the most personal I’ve made my whole
From Vandal to Legend: ‘Wild Style’ Graffiti Pioneer Lee Quinones on NY Street Art observer.com/2015/05/from-vandal-to-legend-wild-style-graffiti-pioneer-lee-quinones-on-ny-street-art/In 1975, New York City’s subway cars were the canvas of choice for artist Lee Quinones, aka LEE, and his work could be seen all over town. Now, almost 40 years later, the artist is taking a look back at his beginnings with a pop-up show of his first drawings at Nicole Klagsbrun’s Lower East Side gallery, on view through June 7. The show is a mix of old and new, featuring never before shown sketches for the subway murals that helped earn him a spot in history as one of the leading figures of contemporary street art, a brand new painting, and 10 recent drawings. Mr. Quinones’ early graffiti work caught the eye of the art world, and lead him to shows like the seminal “Times Square Show” in 1980, exhibitions at the New Museum, MoMA, and Documenta in Kassel, Germany, as well Gladstone Gallery, Galerie Rudolf Zwirner, and Lisson Gallery. And of course, you may recognize him if you’ve seen Charlie Ahearn’s 1983 film Wild Style. In the early drawings, some as long as 45-inches across, Mr. Quinones’ inspiration came via New York’s struggling economy, Vietnam-era politics, and comics and cartoons. “I was highly inspired by the comics of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, and the advertisements of the time. There was comfort in the fantasy of it,” Mr. Quinones told the Observer by phone, while working in his studio. “Art is a huge part of social maintenance, it’s the true word on the street. In Hagar the Horrible (1978), a drawing done in marker and spray paint which became a full scale subway car mural on the 2 train line later that year, a band of warriors stumble upon a tombstone for the artist, inscribed with the word “Loner.” A bright red and orange sunset fills the background, a flood of rainbow colors pour across the page, and a hand emerges from the grave. “The old work is very dark, young, and heroic—there was a sense of urgency about the time. I was being very sarcastic with my work. And they’re also very wild and colorful,” he explained. Mr. Quinones’ work has changed too. Golpe de Suerte (2013), which translates to “serendipity,” is a reflection on family and identity. The piece includes recipes and writings by the artist’s mother, collaged together with personal items, and is a standout among his newest works. “I love sneaking a message in disguise. I like to work less now, to bring more to the plate. And my new work reflects that. It’s more of a spiritual, personal piece— probably the most personal I’ve made my whole |
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Feral Things
Junior Member
Posts • 1,848
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January 2012
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‘Wild Style’ Graffiti Pioneer Lee Quinones on NY Street Art, by Feral Things on Mar 7, 2016 20:59:16 GMT 1, Lee Quiñones will be cycling next Sunday to raise money for cancer research. In his own words;
"All too often, I hear the dreaded word CANCER as it takes jabs at my family, at many friends, and countless colleagues, both young and old. My three year old great-niece and my father-in-law are currently battling cancer. I have never been so scared and yet determined, then at this very moment. Please join me with your most generous support and be a part of my backwind as I take to the pedaling wheels at Cycle for Survival and take a good jab at cancer Sunday March 13. 100% of every dollar raised funds pioneering research."
You can donate here - go on, you know you want to! 
Lee Quiñones will be cycling next Sunday to raise money for cancer research. In his own words; "All too often, I hear the dreaded word CANCER as it takes jabs at my family, at many friends, and countless colleagues, both young and old. My three year old great-niece and my father-in-law are currently battling cancer. I have never been so scared and yet determined, then at this very moment. Please join me with your most generous support and be a part of my backwind as I take to the pedaling wheels at Cycle for Survival and take a good jab at cancer Sunday March 13. 100% of every dollar raised funds pioneering research."You can donate here - go on, you know you want to! |
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