Good On Paper

In New York (or Tokyo, or London, or Barcelona…), you’re as likely to step on a work of art as a piece of gum, thanks to the proliferation of street artists in the city.  Example: this weekend, when we stumbled on amazing work by a graffiti stencil artist who calls himself Paper Monster. We spotted some of his indoor work at the Brooklynite Gallery in the East Village (where his stuff will be till the end of August) but were promised there was much more.

His Twittering tells us he likes Kid Robot, but we can tell you his work usually features fierce, dark-haired girls and Asian typography. His inspirations are the eyes and facial expressions of women, but each piece invites you beyond face value with its layering effect. Not limited to walls or canvas, Paper Monster also carves his big-eyed girls into skateboards that are far too pretty to get anywhere on.

This talented stencil-wielder is part of a group of artists collectively known as Albus Cavus (“white cave” in Latin) who work with city leaders to create innovative public art projects. His latest cause, although perhaps not an official one, is the ‘Give and Take Project’ where he collaborates with other street artists (without ever meeting them) on old graffiti to give it a new lease of life.

WEBSITE
papermonster.wordpress.com

UPCOMING SHOWS
July 22nd, New York Times Building Gallery
Latin Mixx 2009 conference
10am-6pm

August 14th- Urban Decay Group Show 6-9pm
Bherd Studios, Seattle WA

ARIANE ANKARCRONA