MORE THAN 50 LOCAL ARTISTS JOIN TO TRANSFORM THE EAST METRO NORTH CORRIDOR WITH THE UPTOWN GRANDSCALE MURAL PROJECT

ARTIST BIOS

Adam Negron Instagram: @adambomb.nyc

Adam Negron was born and raised in El Barrio. A proud dad, he is also a graffiti and street artist who is a frequent contributor to the Guerilla Gallery organized by the Harlem Arts Collective on East between Third and Second avenues. He is also a veteran of the 100 Gates Project. For Uptown Grandscale, he will be contributing his signature bold graffiti and colors.

Alexis Duque Instagram: @duqueart

With a psychedelic precision reminiscent of M.C. Escher’s, Alexis Duque produces meticulously architectural compositions of trippy, absurd buildings and towers. Through his playful stacking and piling, he reorders cities and charts the psychological experience of space. A resident of Harlem for 15 years, Duque holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of Antioquia, Colombia, and his work has been exhibited in ’s El Museo del Barrio, as well as venues around the world. For Uptown Grandscale, he will be bringing his architectural art to the streets.

Christy Ayala Instagram: @artbychristyayala, @fantasyincolornyc

Christy Ayala is a self-taught Latina artist who was born in Harlem and raised in . She often works with her husband Rob (see Rob Ayala below). Open to many creative paths, her artwork is inspired by personal experience of love and pain, as well as an interpretation of her surrounding environment. For Uptown Grandscale, she will paint her signature koi fishes and eye-flowers.

Doris Rodriguez Instagram: @dorisrodg

Doris Rodriguez is a native of the Dominican Republic who teaches art at a public school here in Harlem. Her work features representational figures placed against layered and textured backgrounds, and she often infuses her work with political social commentary, finding the energetic tension between precision and chaos. She is an alum of Parsons, the New School for Design, and has exhibited internationally, winning awards for her illustrated books. For Uptown Grandscale, she plans to layer

1 geometrical and floral design with a painting of people in movement, to reflect the culture of the neighborhood.

Eloburnz (Charlie Elo) Instagram: @eloburnz

Eloburnz was born and raised Uptown, and is always honored to be able to work in his home neighborhood. A Bronx-based Dominican artist and filmmaker, his body of work spans themes including using animals as a representation of the urban jungle known as City, as well as depictions of the NYC mass transit system. Having painted large-scale murals both locally and internationally, Eloburnz primarily utilizes aerosol and acrylic paint. For Uptown Grandscale, he envisions interpreting NYC as jungle of concrete, the city that never sleeps.

Erica Purnell Instagram: @ericapurnell

Erica Purnell loves portraits and bold prints, and loves to marry the two with large, unapologetic strokes. Having designed custom footwear and apparel for more than a decade via her company IGOTPINKEYE, she is now a full-time creative who paints, designs and teaches art to kids and peers alike. Inspired by connection and roots, one of her heroes is her grandfather. For Uptown Grandscale, she will pay homage to all the families who have immigrated to New York and spent generations working to build .

Evan Bishop Instagram: @evanbishopart, @320bodyart

Born and raised in the Boogie Down Bronx, Evan Bishop grew up on University Avenue, a few blocks from the birthplace of hip-hop. He developed his graffiti skills on walls in the Bronx and in the underground No. 1 train subway yard, with his desire to paint superseding the dangers of rival graffiti crews and active third rails. Over the years, he has worked in various formats, most recently in digital graphic and body art, and in helping to produce the largest community art project in the history of Yonkers, Yes Yonkers. His first commissioned mural in Harlem was at & , and he is honored to return to 125th Street to bless a wall on the streets that Franco The Great made famous. For Uptown Grandscale, he plans to empower the community with art that incorporates the symbols of West African adinkra symbols and abstract masks.

Gera Lozano Instagram: @geraluz Born in the Amazon jungle of Peru, then transferred to the urban jungle of New York and as a child, Gera Lozano is a conceptual artist whose work beautifies and brings to light culturally specific sacred patterns, as well as the patterns woven into our social fabric. She began her ongoing

2 connection to 125th Street & four years ago, when she served as the teaching artist for "Harlem Sunrise," the mural on the comfort station located under the Metro-North viaduct that is based on the Terry Adkins "Harlem Encore" sculpture on the viaduct above. Gera has since returned to the intersection in partnership with Uptown Grand Central several times, first to create "Harlem Sunshine Box" on the plaza space under the train tracks, then to extend the sunshine patterns to the southeast corner via "Op-Glories" for the 100 Gates Project on a now-demolished building. In Summer 2019, she has expanded to the intersection’s southwest corner with "Uptown Sunshine Fabric," a mash-up of bold sunshine with the kente cloths of West Africa. Gera intends for her work carry the spirit of cultures and dreams, creating urban pressure points that reflect the energetic field of their environment with optical perception. At 125th Street, her bold colors represent hope for prosperity and the vitality of the diverse peoples who pass through this Harlem crossroads. Later in September 2019, her fifth work at 125th Street & Park Avenue will be installed in partnership with Uptown Grand Central and the N.Y.C. Department of Transportation’s Arterventions program.

Isaias Crow Instagram: @isaiascrow

Gibran Isaias Lopez, a.k.a. Isaias Crow, is part of the Gera Lozano crew who brought us "Uptown Sunshine Fabric." An international mural artist and author, Isaias draws on bright colors and bold geometry to represent human energy fields, consciousness, subconsciousness, dreams and desires. He creates intuitively, reflecting the diverse communities he visits with artwork that reflect each place’s powerful energy. For Uptown Grandscale, he created the "Harlem Messenger of Inner Power" on Park Avenue between 124th & 125th streets, a jaguar who represents inner power and courage.

Jennifer Jimenez Instagram: @lust4life

Jennifer Jimenez was raised Harlem, works in Harlem, and now lives in the Bronx. A painter, Illustrator and graphic designer, she is inspired by art icons such as Frida Kahlo, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and loves to explore the freedom that art brings. For Uptown Grandscale, she will be incorporating music and culture into a piece that represents Harlem and the people in it.

Jose Baez Instagram: @jaurelionyc

Jose Baez is a Puerto Rican painter who was born in the Bronx and spent much of his teenage years copying comic-book covers and Saturday-morning cartoons. His paintings use graphic stylistic line- making and pop-culture color combinations along with raw textures pulled from New York City. He has exhibited his studio work at venues including P.S. 109 here in East Harlem, the Bronx Documentary Center, and the L.I.C. Arts Open, as well as created large-scale murals at locations including the Welling Court Mural Project, Soho Hospitality Group and SpinNYC. For Uptown Grandscale, he plans

3 to draw on traditional Japanese paintings translated through graffiti and surrealist stylings to result in a colorful, bold and bouncing narrative.

Kristy McCarthy Instagram: @dgaleart

Kristy McCarthy, a.k.a. D. Gale, is a self-taught painter, muralist and community organizer. She has lived in East Harlem for eight years and is the founder and director of the Harlem Art Collective. She has painted murals and organized public art projects all over the world and in El Barrio, with the themes of her work often dealing with the interconnection between people and nature, as well social justice issues. For Uptown Grandscale, she worked with Colombia-based artist Lina Diosa to create "A Room of Ones Own" on East 125th Street between Park and Lexington, a piece intended to offer an image of comfort to those who do not have the safety or comfort of their own private space to sleep at night.

Lady K Fever Instagram: @ladykfever

Lady K Fever is a Bronx-based inter-disciplinary artist and educator who works in painting, installation, photography, performance and public art. A veteran of community art, Lady K has been a part of projects including "Under the Viaduct" with the West Harlem Art Fund," "Bronx Lab: Style Wars" at the Bronx Museum, and "Graffiti Research Lab" at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). She has been featured in book "Graffiti Women: Street Art from Five Continents." Most recently, Lady K completed a Truck of Art for the NYC Department of Sanitation, which will be on display on the final day of Uptown Grandscale painting on Sunday, September 22 (Party On Park). For Uptown Grandscale, she will bring her bright bouquets to East 125th Street.

Laura Alavarez Instagram: @bigeyesworld

Laura Alvarez is a teaching artist and the vice president of BxArts Factory, an organization committed to unlock the inner artist in the Bronx community. An experienced illustrator, muralist, graphic designer and artivist. Laura currently works for NYC Parks & Recreation, where she creates public programs and organizes cultural events. For Uptown Grandscale, she plans to brighten the wall with her signature eye-flowers and mandala-flowers.

Lesny JN Felix (Underground Art Maphia) Instagram: @lesnyjnfelix

Born in Haiti, Lesny JN Felix’s first influences as an artist were the kaleidoscope of bright pink, turquoise and green produced from nearby houses when overlooking the horizon. Immigrating to the United States as a young teenager and now a resident of East Harlem, Lesny began his life as an artist in his twenties. With no formal art education, his first works were collages, followed by painting on

4 canvas with Matisse-like swirls. A stream-of-consciousness painter, Lesny’s artistic interests are colors, shapes and the blank space of the canvas. For Uptown Grandscale, he plans to create in the moment, drawing inspiration from the energy around him.

Lola Lovenotes Instagram: @lovenotes

Lola Lovenotes was immersed at a young age in Bronx graffiti culture. Heavily influenced by anime, youth culture, nature and fairytales, she strives to create art that is charged with her emotional and spiritual vision of the world, usually involving feminine figures. She primarily works in paint, but has a great love for using different mediums, methods and styles to spread the movement of love. Currently she is on a personal journey where most of the art she is creating is in tribute to her ancestors; she plans on sharing with the community at Uptown Grandscale.

Lostbreed Culture Instagram: @lostbreedculture

Lost Breed Culture is an art collective led by Fausto Manuel Ramos and Luis F. Perez, two New York City natives who have known each other for more than a decade. Known for their fluid ability to work together either on a whim or via a dynamic planning process, Lostbreed keeps focus on honoring tradition and keeping alive the ongoing evolution of creative expression, fashion, music and lifestyle.

Marthalicia Instagram: @marthalicia

Born and raised in Harlem, Marthalicia is known for her large-scale portraiture of both humans and nature, and likes to explore the harmony between both. Marthalicia is an alum of La Guardia High School of Performance and the Arts, as well as the U.S. Army National Guard. Encouraged by faith to pursue her art form, her works in Harlem include the portrait of Dizzy Gillespie on 135th Street for Education Is Not A Crime.

Menaceresa Instagram: @menaceresa

Menaceresa is an artist team comprised of Menace Two and Resa Piece. Menace Two is a graffiti artist who specializes in spray-painting calligraphy, typography and graffiti-style letters. Resa Piece is an artist/muralist who specializes in spray portraits, landscapes, animals and everything in-between. Together they create murals that combine both styles of lettering and imagery. For Uptown Grandscale, they plan to paint a portrait of a famous Harlem artist.

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Murj Instagram: @murj_art

Murjani Holmes has a degree in fashion design, and that can be seen in her work, which places large focus on color, fabric and print. Growing up with family across Harlem, Murj has worked across the neighborhood as well as with artist groups in various cities, and feels drawn to projects where she can collaborate. For Uptown Grandscale, she plans to paint a mural that has a focus on graphic design and nature themes.

Natalie Lucre Instagram: @nblucre

Natalie Lucre is a Bronx-based artist with a degree in illustration. Aside from being a full-time studio assistant, she freelances as a muralist and graphic designer. For Uptown Grandscale, she will bring her big design and bold color to her portion of the wall.

Nicole Garvin Instagram: @bronx.art.house

Nicole Garvin is visual artist who was born and raised in the Bronx. She is one of two women of color who in 2013 founded the BronxArtHouse (BXAH), which explores the intersections between art, design and culture. Her work is an interaction between typography, graphic design, and pieces of comic-book iconography and color. See if you can discover the history of Harlem in her creation for Uptown Grandscale.

Noah Xfir (BIRD) Instagram: @noahxarts

Noah Xifr, a.k.a. BIRD, was raised in Kingsbridge in the Bronx, where he got his start in comic books and street art. He has also lived in Washington Heights and in East Harlem. His artwork uses poetic graffiti and anthropomorphic creatures to encourage a sense of inner peace and help build empowered communities. For Uptown Grandscale, he plans to create a family of triumphant birds to inspire self- reflection.

O’Sheena Smith Instagram: N/A

O’Sheena Smith is a native New Yorker who can trace her Harlem roots back to 1950s. After graduating from East Harlem’s Center for Science and Mathematics, she went on to study architecture at Hampton University. First painting landscapes as a hobby, she is now one of the founding members of the Harlem Art Collective and its Guerrilla Art Gallery on East 116th Street between Third and Second avenues. She has also painted for the 100 Gates Project. For Uptown

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Grandscale, she will reflect on her own Harlem childhood and will recreate a piece called "Children Should Be Playing.”

Qua Instagram: @socialicon

Shanequa (Qua) Benitez lives in Harlem and loves it. Originally from Yonkers, Qua is an abstract impressionist artist who creates everything from murals to textiles. She is a veteran of the 100 Gates Project. For Uptown Grandscale, she will bring one of her "Never Conform" bears to Park Avenue.

Ralph Serrano Instagram: @artistikznewyork

Born and raised in , Ralph Serrano loves to give the world color. Now a resident of East Harlem, his appreciation for art extends him to various forms including music/digital art, body art and photography. He is the founder of the ARTEóMUERTE collective and artist brand., and his mural art can be seen from East Harlem, the Bronx and , to Jersey City, Miami, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico and beyond. For Uptown Grandscale, he will be bringing his signature style and infusing 125th Street with lots of color!

Rob Ayala Instagram: @robayala_, @fantasyincolornyc

Rob Ayala is a Bronx-based visual artist and musician who often creates with his wife Christy (see above). Multi-dimensional and versatile, his artwork generally depicts dark themes explored through bright colors. In 2014, he founded the artist collective Fantasy in Color. In addition to making art, he is also a member of and producer for the music group Pink & Blue. For Uptown Grandscale, he will paint his signature king.

SFA Instagram: @sfa_uno

SFA is a graffiti artist based in Washington Heights who draws inspiration from the graffiti lettering throughout New York City’s subways, parks and sidewalks. He is also a founder of the Harlem Art Collective that maintains the Guerrilla Art Gallery on East 116th Street between Third and Second avenues. For Uptown Grandscale, he plans to create a message that shows no hate, "only joy."

Shiro Instagram: @shiro_one

Shiro is a graffiti artist based in Harlem. She revered hip-hop culture while growing up in Japan, and her

7 art now fuses old-school New York graffiti with the Japanese aesthetic. Having worked as a nurse in her early years and experiencing the end of life up-close, she uses her art to spread the message of loving life and living it to the max. Her character, "Mimi," is emblematic of strength and femininity. She now travels around the world, and has painted murals in 18 countries. For Uptown Grandscale, she will be bringing Mimi to Harlem.

Souls NYC Instagram: @soulsnyc

Born and raised in the South Bronx, Souls NYC is a prolific aerosol artist who not only love to paint, but also breakdance, and teach afterschool youth. He has a great appreciation of street murals as an art form, and has served as the understudy of Meres One (the founder of 5 Pointz). For Uptown Grandscale, he plans to create art that conveys his positive energy and blessings.

TooFly Instagram: @toofly_nyc

TooFly’s journey into the world of art began with her commute to New York City public school, during which she immersed herself in the myriad of graffiti tags, fill-ins and outlines she saw along the way. Ecuadorian in heritage, TooFly especially is drawn to working in collectives of women that push and represent independent artists in the usually male-dominated urban art scene, and has most recently worked with the Ladies Love Project and Grafiteras. Recognized for her hard and fluid style, and signature “Love Warrior” character, TooFly has also painted at 5Pointz, Wynwood Walls and Bronx Museum of Art. For Uptown Grandscale, she plans to depict a strong woman of color from Harlem.

Yvette Armstrong Instagram: N/A

Yvette Armstrong has lived in the Bronx for most of her life, though she has also resided in Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and Brazil. Largely self-taught as and artist and formally trained in law, she enjoy art in its many forms, especially portraiture. Her favorite works of art are her three sons. For Uptown Grandscale, she will paint a flower emerging from a crack in the sidewalk, to symbolize hope and love.

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