I’ve been a huge fan of Klone’s artwork since I came upon it on the walls of Tel Aviv over five years ago. Whether alone or in collaboration with the likes of Know Hope and Zero Cents, he has forged some of the city’s most arresting images. Although I was not able to make it to the release of Klone’s first artist book, “Don’t Sleep!,” I was able to review all 160 pages of it. With its many images of eerily surrealistic walls, drawings, sketches and more, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the artist’s distinct aesthetic and sensibility.

The book can be purchased online at: http://kloneyourself.bigcartel.com/

All images courtesy Klone

For some time it seemed as though Sti(c)kman had retired — or at least had taken a leave of absence – as almost no new pieces surfaced in NYC. Within the past few weeks, though, our beloved Sti(c)kman is back in full force.  Here are a few recent sightings:

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Photos by Lois Stavsky & Tara Murray

It’s great to see Gaia back in Williamsburg, where I first discovered his work. I spotted this earlier today on Bedford Avenue:

Photo by Lois Stavsky 

Every time we visit the South Bronx, we discover another How&Nosm wall that we somehow missed. We came upon these about two weeks ago and revisited them yesterday.  We just can’t get enough of the twins!

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Here are a few more images captured last week in Bogota and shared with me:

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Photos by Luz Coy; artists — with the exception of Toxicómano — to be identified.

When I first discovered the walls in Bogota, Colombia in 2007, I instantly fell in love with their distinct beauty, restless energy and cast of characters.  Here are a few images that were captured last week and shared with me.

Special thanks to Luz Coy for taking and sharing these photos. Artists to be identified.

We first noticed Dal’s distinct — almost-spiritual — aesthetic a number of months back when we came upon a stunning mural that he had done in collaboration with Faith47 in Chelsea.  We were thrilled to discover that he is one of the artists participating in Hybrid Thinking curated by Wooster Collective at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery.  Here’s a glimpse of his amazing work fashioned from his intricate play with lines that we captured on the street and on canvas at Jonathan LeVine.

Dal to the left of Faith47

Dal on canvas @ Jonathan LeVine

If you are anywhere in the NYC vicinity, Hybrid Thinking is certainly worth checking out, as it also presents work by several other first-rate emerging street artists from around the globe including: Herakut, Roa, Sit, Vinz and Hyuro.  The exhibit continues through February 11^th at 529 W. 20^th  Street.

A number of months ago a series of Banksy-like images with the face of actor Tom Hanks began surfacing in NYC. I didn’t think much of them, and thought they might be a somewhat clever way to promote Tom Hanks. I couldn’t imagine anyone even trying to spoof Banksy – one of the greatest satirists of our time! Anyway, the images are back again and this time coinciding with a gallery exhibit featuring a range of them. When I stopped by this afternoon, the space was quite busy. It looks like we – the street art aficionados or, at least, those of us who frequent galleries – are the target of this satire, and its creator may be quite clever.  After I left, I overheard one passerby explain to another that there was a Banksy show at the gallery. Hanksy – not Banksy!

Here are two Hanksy images that recently surfaced on the streets of the Lower East Side:

And here are three on exhibit in the Krause Gallery @ 149 Orchard Street:

Photos by Lois Stavsky

When I stopped by Klughaus Gallery last week, Jesse Edwards was already at work installing his exhibit, “Dialogue of the Streets.”  Featuring an eclectic range of artwork from traditional landscapes to graffiti-inspired ceramics, the exhibit opens this Friday, January 13,  from 6-10pm at 47 Monroe Street on Manhattan’s LES/Chinatown. Here are a few favorites I captured (the first depicting the artist with the prolific graffiti writer, Adek):

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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:

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Nose Go

Royce Bannon

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

Photos by Sara Mozeson, Tara Murray & Lois Stavsky