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Showing: “Mojiten 1” @ HHH gallery

Posted by SAL, July 7, 2016

Tokyo based HHH gallery is continuing its efforts to bring the freshest, cutting edge art to the bustling Japanese capital. On July 2nd, they opened a group exhibition entitled Mojiten 1, featuring works by calligraphy artists from around the globe including Big Sleeps, Cryptik, Defer,  Mayonaize, Pitc & Usugrow. Showing works by artists from such places as US, Australia, Japan or Peru, the idea was that languages and letters around the world are a reflection of regional characteristics and history of people who live there. Through their work, these calligraphy artists create […]

POW! WOW! Hawaii ’16 / Streets: Recap (Part 2)

Posted by sleepboy, February 23, 2016

After a first look at some of the murals for this year’s POW! WOW! Hawaii, here is a recap of most of the remaining public works created for 2016. A crew of international and local artists, mostly through the course of a week, left their mark in and around the Kaka’ako district in Oahu with their distinctive imagery. Take a look at the wall painted by Slick, Ckaweeks, and Mung Monster above as well as the rest of the pieces that were painted in the photos below… […]

Rewind: Dec 23 – Feb 11

Posted by sleepboy, February 11, 2016

Time for another one of our Rewind features as we review recent videos that art lovers may be interested in. Leading things off is some footage of Bernie Mitchell working with an unusual medium – dry wall – to create wall sculptures. Other worthy videos include: Mel Kadel’s work with Adult Swim. Usugrow painting a wall mural for his show in Tokyo. Aryz in Ukraine. Footage of Futura painting his Houston & Bowery mural. Mars-1 sculpture arrives in Nashville. Yok & Sheryo putting in work […]

Recap: Usugrow @ Woolloomooloo Xhibit

Posted by sleepboy, December 7, 2015

After a solo last month in Japan (covered), Usugrow followed it up by opening an exhibition in Taipei while there for POW! WOW! Taiwan. The showing presented by Remix ＆ G-SHOCK at the Woolloomooloo Xhibit space featured the Japanese artist’s characteristic mix of urban calligraphy & Los Angeles “cholo” subculture. He even found time to demonstrate his skills while there on an in situ piece and on the walls. Photo credit: Ben Roazen (via Hypebeast). Discuss Usugrow here.

Showing: Usugrow – “Organic Contrast” @ Diesel Art Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, November 7, 2015

Showing for one more week through November 13th is Usugrow’s show at Diesel Art Gallery in Shibuya. Entitled Organic Contrast, the exhibition features the Japanese artist’s distinctive mix of calligraphy and Los Angeles “cholo” culture. The exhibition is the locally-based artist’s first solo in Japan in the last 10 years and includes nearly 40 artworks, some of which show a new direction. Photo credit: Miki Matsushima. Discuss Usugrow here.

Streets / POW! WOW! Japan 2015: Recap

Posted by sleepboy, November 6, 2015

Last month, the POW! WOW! crew completed the first leg of their Asia tour by hitting up Tokyo with live art, installations, and musical performances. The inaugural edition of POW! WOW! Japan featured work from Mark Dean Veca, Case, Colasa, Cook One (seen above), Kamea Hadar, Frankie Cihi, Jay Shogo, Hitotzuki (Kami & Sasu), Luise Ono, Dave Kinsey, Fafi, Ben Horton, Usugrow, Yoshiyasu Tamura, BAKIBAKI, Takizo, and Shizentomotel. As we speak, a new set of artists have moved on to the second part the event – […]

Upcoming: Usugrow – “Organic Contrast” @ Diesel Art Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, August 21, 2015

The public opening of Usugrow’s latest solo show is slated for Friday, August 21st at Diesel Art Gallery in Shibuya. Entitled Organic Contrast, the exhibition features the Japanese artist’s distinctive imagery that developed from originally creating flyers in the underground punk and hard core music scene in early 90s which eventually advanced into apparel design and collaborations with major brands. For fans in his native country, this will be yet another opportunity to see in person his iconic merging of his form of calligraphy with recognizable […]

Streets: Usugrow (Marrakech)

Posted by sleepboy, March 6, 2015

Last month, the facade of the well known Cafe Des Epices in Marrakech, Morocco was painted over with the street calligraphy of Usugrow. Curated by Valerie Liais du Rocher of Studio IWA with support from Upper Playground, the Japanese artist left his mark in the heart of the Medina at in Rahba Kedima spice square covering one side of the rooftop structure with his signature script. Photo credit: Raphael Liais (via Upper Playground). Discuss Usugrow here.

Streets: World Roundup (Sept 22 – Oct 12)

Posted by sleepboy, October 15, 2014

With this latest edition of our Streets: World Roundup article, we turn our eyes to Las Vegas for our featured mural from ROA. The Belgium-based artist withstood the desert heat for four days of hard work before completing this piece with the image of a horny toad, a local species that can squirt blood out of its eyes to deter predators. Painted for the Life Is Beautiful Festival, the wall can be found on Stewart and N. 6th Street. Other notable public art comes from […]

Openings: Usugrow – “Inkflow” @ Fifty24SF

Posted by sleepboy, October 8, 2014

Over the weekend, Fifty24SF hosted the opening for Usugrow’s new solo up in the Bay Area. Featuring his calligraphy on the walls as well in the pieces for sale, Inkflow marks his return to the San Francisco art scene after showing there in 2007 and participating in a group show with his Shinganist crew back in 2009 (covered). The Japanese artist was also on hand to sign a new book titled USUGROW: Works 2007-2013 in association with Upper Playground. Photo credit: Joe Russo for Arrested Motion. Discuss Usugrow here.