June 3 – July 15 | The Art of TATS CRU, Exhibition and Block Party Celebration

BXNYCreative Presents – The Art of TATS CRU
An Exhibition and Block Party Celebrating 37 Years of TATS CRU

Gallery hours: Wednesday – Friday 12 – 6:30 pm, Saturday 12 – 5 pm

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No discussion of Bronx art would be complete without mention of TATS CRU. Their work can be found in nearly all areas in the borough. It exemplifies the street art culture that rose up from the roots of the graffiti movement. It is both familiar and ever changing to any Bronx resident.

Beyond the Bronx, the work of TATS CRU reaches all 5 boroughs of New York City, many states in the USA, and as far away as China. “TATS CRU is the story of graffiti and street art. From subway trains to commissioned murals to worldwide street art festivals, the masterful TATS CRU represents the evolution of graffiti to the global phenomenon it is today,” states Lois Stavsky, editor of the wildly popular blog Street Art NYC. “Stylish and striking, their artwork – individually and collectively – continues to seduce viewers as it fuses elements of graffiti, illustration, graphic design and fine art.”

The Art of TATS CRU will show a representation of past projects through photographs and videos produced by Miguel Teck Arteaga. There will be works on canvas by NICER, BIO, and BG183, and a new mural collaboration reproduced as a poster to commemorate the exhibition. “We are looking at a unique rise to art world success, it’s inspirational in that it illustrates that every artist doesn’t need to follow the standard, art school, gallery system, connection-based path,” says co-curator Eileen Walsh.

In an interview with Arlene Alda for her book Just Kids from the Bronx, published in 2015, NICER explained, “A lot of people see graffiti as a crime, but considering where we come from and what we were around? A lot of friends are sitting in jail right now, doing thirty to life.” “We were doing graffiti and although it was a crime we didn’t see it as a crime, and it kind of kept us away from what was going on,” adds Bio.

Now adults, Sotero Ortiz aka “BG183,” Wilfredo Feliciano aka “BIO,” and Hector Nazario aka “NICER,” receive special invitations to show their artwork around the globe. Their story is one of overcoming adversity, banding together, and creating an art career in an entirely new way.

Bio,Nicer,BG 183-1996 Photo: Wise W. D. Allah

The exhibition begins on Saturday, June 3rd at 2pm, and BronxArtSpace will be open for the public to view the artwork and meet TATS CRU. At that time we will also have a neighborhood celebration outside the gallery on East 140th Street between 3rd Avenue and Alexander Avenue. “TATS CRU is best known for their work painting murals, so while we are presenting an exhibition inside the gallery, we also want to pay homage to the street art culture they represent. We’re celebrating 37 years of friendship, creativity and mutual respect; it’s an inspirational story, and we want to bring the celebration into the street,” explains co-curator Laura James.

The Block Party will feature homegrown, Bronx entertainment. DJ Pusha will keep the party going, and there will be dance performances by BBoy & Emcee Chief69, and Hip-Hop legend Rokafella’s Full Circle Souljahs dance troupe. There will be live music performances by up and coming Bronx MINDY artists Static Vision, and alternative music group The Nobodies, and a presentation by spoken word artist and rapper Safiel Vonay. The event is sponsored by neighborhood businesses JCAL Development Group, ID Studio Theater, Zaro’s Bakery, La Grata Italian Restaurant, Filtered Coffee, and Bronx Native. We are also happy to have the support of Port Morris Distillery and The Bronx Brewery. The Bronx Children’s Museum will host creative activities for children and families, and will have their Museum on the Go Bus parked on the street outside the gallery. The event is free of charge and all are welcome.

The Art of TATS CRU will be on view at BronxArtSpace June 3rd through July 15th at 305 East 140th Street in the Bronx.

There will be an Artist Talk moderated by Street Art NYC’s Lois Stavsky on June 22nd, beginning at 6pm, where we will also premiere “The Jardin Orange Project,” a short documentary that features some of the world’s most renowned streets artists, including TATS CRU, as they come together to paint massive murals in the city of Shen Zhen, China.

For more information email bxnycreative@gmail.com.