Not only is Royce Bannon one of New York City’s most passionate street artists, but he is also a first-rate curator. His current venture, Rather Unique, is a testament to both his curatorial skills and to the diverse range of artwork crafted by artists whose primary canvas is the streets.  And the Lower East Side’s Woodward Gallery, located at 133 Eldridge Street, is the perfect venue for the exhibit. Here are a few images:

Ka

Nose Go

Royce Bannon

Kosbe

Rather Unique continues through February 19th. You can view additional images by DarkCloud, Matt Siren, Kenji Nakayama, Celso, Cope2 and Cassius Fowler on Woodward Gallery’s website.

Photos by Sara Mozeson, Tara Murray & Lois Stavsky

When we returned to Williamsburg this morning, we were surprised to find some of our favorite artists framed — along with the comment, “Who arted?”  Here they are:

Royce Bannon sticker, photo by Lois Stavsky

C215 stencil, photo by Lois Stavsky

Erik Berglin paste-up, photo by Tara Murray

Photos by Lois Stavsky and Tara Murray

Quel Beast and Reka. Photo by Quel Beast

Keith Schweitzer and Joyce Manalo organized getting these shipping containers painted for MaNY and Fourth Arts Block. Forth Arts Block got permission for the site, the like-up was solidified over a weekend and painting began almost immediately. It’s amazing how easily things come together sometimes. They brought in Infinity, Royce Bannon, El Celso and Quel Beast from New York, plus Reka from Australia while he was in New York for a bit. Since Skullphone already had a poster on the container, Infinity kept it and blended it into his own piece a bit (with Skullphone’s okay). Here’s a video of the process (Quel Beast’s piece was later changed after this video was filmed):

REKA x Quel Beast x Infinity – NYC from MaNY Project on Vimeo.

And here’s photos of all the finished work:

Skullphone and Infinity. Photo by Mike Pearce

Reka. Photo by Mike Pearce

Skullphone. Photo by Mike Pearce

Infinity. Photo by Mike Pearce

Quel Beast. Photo by Mike Pearce

Royce Bannon and Celso. Photo by Mike Pearce

Photos by Quel Beast and Mike Pearce

As I passed by the former Donnell Library at 20 W. 53rd Street earlier today, the installation for tomorrow’s 5pm opening of PANTHEON: A history of art from the streets of NYC was underway. Huge pieces by Royce Bannon and Celso were beginning to capture the attention of the crowds across the street lined up for MoMA’s free Fridays. Joyce Manalo who curated the exhibit with Daniel Feral shared images of other featured artwork. Among these are the following pieces by Faro and Cake, photographed by Kat Amchentseva. This 24/7 windows exhibition of New York City street art — past and present — will continue through April 17.

Photo by Lois Stavsky

Faro, close up, photo by Kat Amchentseva

Cake, close-up, photo by Kat Amchentseva

Matt Siren

UPDATE: There are just a few days left for the Pantheon fundraiser on Kickstarter. There are some cool rewards for supporting this show, so check it out.

Abe Lincoln, Jr., John Ahearn, Adam VOID, Cahil Muraghu, Cake, Darkclouds, Droid, El Celso, Ellis Gallagher, Faro, John Fekner, Freedom, Gen2, Goya, Groser, Richard Hambleton, infinity, Ket, LSD Om, Matt Siren, Nohj Coley, OverUnder, Oze 108, Quel Beast, Royce Bannon, Sadue, Skewville, Stikman, Toofly, UFO, and even more artists are all part of a group show opening in New York on April 2nd. Pantheon: A history of art from the streets of New York City aims to bring together multiple generations of street art (and, to a lesser degree, graffiti) from New York City and tie them together into a cohesive history. There are some real under-appreciated gems in that line up like Richard Hambleton, Skewville, John Fekner, Don Leicht and Faro.

Pantheon will take place in New York City at chashama/Donnell Library Building, right across from MoMA and run through April 17th. I’m really disappointed that I won’t be able to see this show in person. It should make a nice counter-point to MOCA’s Art In The Streets show opening in LA around the same time. If you do make it to Pantheon, be sure to check out the catalog, which Vandalog’s Monica Campana has contributed to.

Here’s a little preview of some of the street work from artists in Pantheon:

UFO and Gen2

Royce Bannon

Darkcloud

Avoid

Abe Lincoln Jr. and infinity

Photos by Luna Park

Opening tomorrow, Saturday evening, from 6 – 10pm at the 17 Frost Art and Performance Space at 17 Frost Street in Williamsburg, The Unusual Suspects features new and collaborative pieces by Abe Lincoln, Jr., Celso, Chris RWK, Darkclouds, Deeker, Infinity, Keely, Matt Siren, Moody, Nose Go, Royce Bannon and Sno Monster. Curated by Royce Bannon of the famed Endless Love Crew, the artwork ranges from minimal iconic characters to splashy expressionistic compositions.   There are some surprises, too, like this collaboration between Abe Lincoln, Jr. and Nose Go:

Photo by Lois Stavsky

Ron English and Dan Witz

A few days ago, Gaia wrote about Ad Hoc Art’s Welling Court Mural Project. Here’s a quick update with more of the finished artwork. Becki Fuller and Luna Park have a bunch more photos of the event over at their blog, The Street Spot.

Swoon any Royce Bannon

Sweet Toof and R. Nicholas Kuszyk

John Fekner

Photos by John Fekner, Becki Fuller and Luna Park

The Great Outdoors is a kick-ass-sounding group show that opens at Woodward Gallery in New York City this weekend.  Some of my favorite artists like Swoon and Neckface are involved, as well as some other talented people like Darkcloud, Michael de Feo, Royce Bannon and LA II. It’s kind of an odd mix of artists, but not really that odd at all. Stylistically different, but all cool in their own ways I guess. Should be good. The show opens on May 8th.

Michael de Feo

LA II

Photos from Woodward Gallery

I’ve really been enjoying Royce Bannon‘s work lately. Here are a few pieces: