Exhibit: “Saints of the Lower East Side” NYC
In June of 2012 I curated “Saints of the Lower East Side” by artist Tom Sanford. The outdoor exhibition features seven painted portraits mounted 14 feet above street level on a scaffolding bridge located at 70 East 4th Street. The array of large gilded paintings are intended as an homage to cultural icons who lived and worked on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In the artist words, “These seven individuals [Martin Wong, Joey Ramone, Miguel Piñero, Ellen Stewart, Charlie Parker, Arthur Fellig and Allen Ginsberg], along with hundreds more, make the Lower East Side the crucible of the American avant-‐garde and a neighborhood that captivates my imagination as a New York artist.”
This exhibit is part of a series of temporary art installations in atypical locations in the Lower East Side produced through FABnyc’s public art program, of which I am Director. Many thanks to Jason Patrick Voegele of Republic Worldwide, for managing the installation and project overall, and to Graham Preston for working closely with Tom on the paintings. Produced in collaboration with MaNY Project. Photo by Udom Surangsophon
