Graffiti icon Crash's solo show “Works of Paper 1980–2010” in New York

Last week, the graffiti artist, Crash, painted with TATS Cru "on a silhouette image of an old IRT “redbird” subway car" as a homage to the steel canvas Crash used to paint in his 80s heyday.

But, instead of the train yards, this painting event was in the East Village to celebrate a historic exhibition in a pop-up gallery called Dorian Grey Gallery created, seemingly overnight, to house a retrospective of Crash's work.

Giant Robot is dead, long live Dorian Grey Gallery (credit: EV Grieve)

30 paintings in Crash's inimitable style from the 1980s-2010 were brought together. What was unique was that these paintings were on paper - drawings and watercolors - which is unexplored in Crash's larger, more recognizable murals.

This is one (temporary) highlight for a neighborhood which has experienced its share of the economic downturn (as captured in EV Grieve's blog.) 

Two weeks to go  Dorian Grey Gallery is located at 437 East 9^th Street @ Avenue A. Tel: 516-244-4126. The show runs from October 7 – 24, 2010. Gallery Hours are published as 11 am to 6 pm, Tuesday – Sunday, but please call and check.

"ABOUT CRASH: Born and still living and working in Bronx, New York, CRASH (John Matos) began his career at the early age of 13, creating dramatic murals on subway cars and dilapidated buildings that help swan the worldwide graffiti and street art movement.  As his style matured, CRASH transferred his artistic aspiration from the street to canvases and on rare occasions paper. 

Pivotal exhibitions include one-man shows at the Sidney Janis Gallery and Martin Lawrence Modern. Since then, his work has been included in the permanent collection of contemporary art institutions including MoMA, the Brooklyn Museum and the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, as well as numerous private collections worldwide. 

In 1996, Matos painted a signature Fender Stratocaster guitar as a gift for Eric Clapton which has led to a partnership with the guitar maker to create a limited edition of “Crashocaster” guitars. The artist also currently creates custom art guitars for John Mayer." Dorian Grey Gallery