…are written on the subway walls, according to Paul Simon. Judging by the proliferation of street art (both sanctioned or otherwise) over the past years, the spray can sages and guerrilla preachers have a lot to say. Once only to be found in urban back alleys, there is free expression everywhere and in a variety of mediums. Spray enamel, ceramic tile, asphalt, stencils, you name it. The small city closest to where I live, Kingston, NY, is no exception, and I’ve taken great pleasure wandering the various neighborhoods to discover the hundreds of public offerings. The quality varies, of course, but it more often than not is a better alternative than a stark steel or concrete wall.
Some are political, some whimsical, and a very few slightly offensive, but the originality and skills utilized can bring a chuckle and/or pause for reflection.
Pressing on…
A couple of weekends ago, we took in the annual Kingston Art Walk. It was a perfect early autumn day, sunny, dry and filled with art of all kinds. One of the highlights was the Steamroller Print Fest, presented by the Midtown Kingston Arts District (MKAD). In the roadway outside the print shop, a small steamroller was used to press 2’ x 2’ wood and linoleum blocks carved by local artists into original works. A quirky addition to a great day.
My Collection - Peter Damon
Middleboro Bank Building, by Peter Damon - 8×8, oil on canvas
The small, yet quietly powerful urban landscape above is the creation of my friend, Peter Damon of Middleboro, MA. Peter and his wife own a great little gallery on Main Street called True Grit Art Gallery, a mainstay in the SouthCoast art world. Peter is a highly skilled artist who has thoroughly explored the genre surrounding the great American urban landscape. This piece is no exception. Evocative of works by Edward Hopper or Charles Sheeler, it tells a human story with minimal embellishment, distilled down to simple shapes and tones. I especially love the contrast between the copper roofing and the ultramarine of the shadowed windows. Subtle and peaceful.