2020 has truly demonstrated the power of solidarity, with creative innovators gathering around the world to combat a global pandemic, widespread economic inequality, and racial injustices. Through it all, UP Magazine strived to stay at the forefront of our community, demonstrating how street art can inspire awareness and action, just as it can be inspire beauty and awe.
We put together a highlight list of our ‘favorite’ articles, the ones that best captured the hellish rollercoaster spirit of 2020. In no particular order, here are our favorite articles of the year!
Behind The Flame: An Interview With FireFlower
by Ana Candelaria // Published June 25th, 2020
Ana interviews NYC street artist FireFlower to learn more about the creative inspiration behind her boldly-colored artworks.
Bushwick Art Club: Lucky Rabbit
by Savannah James // Published October 31st, 2020
Savannah interviews Lucky Rabbit in the third and final in the Bushwick Art Club Series 1 — a collaborative project between UP Magazine & the Bushwick Daily.
Ups and Downs: Street Art, PTSD, and Hitting it Big with skl0
by Griffin Suber // Published July 23rd, 2020
Griffin interviews vandal, artist, Singaporean, Sticker Lady Sam Lo, who knows all about labels and has had their fair share foisted on them over the years.
Demanding Justice: Minneapolis Protests For George Floyd
by Tyler Bruett // Published July 2nd, 2020
Tyler Bruett’s account on his hometown protests, as the city became ground zero for an international civil rights movement.
It’s Great To Create: Jon Burgerman’s Doodle Dynasty
by Christina Elia // Published January 27th, 2020
Christina fangirls over Jon Burgerman, purveyor of doodles and other mixed-media work.
A Brief History of Spray Paint
by Pramila Baisya // Published December 7th, 2020
Prim details a brief history of spray paint, covering the train era and the golden days of graffiti writing.
The Revolution Through Images: Subverting Rapid Processing
by Whitney Graham // Published July 13th, 2020
Whitney examines street art’s role in the revolution while critiquing our culture’s increasing obsession with hollow imagery, a phenomenon she dubs “rapid processing.”
Bringing Art to PLG
by Caitlin Sowers // Published September 7th, 2020
Caitlin discusses moving to Prospect Lefferts Garden, and discovering and becoming involved with a new project curated by J. Lotus Gallery.
Even Flowers Must Die: Infinite At 3RD Ethos
by Vittoria Benzine // Published November 12th, 2020
Vittoria interviews Italian graffiti artist Infinite for his show Even Flowers Must Die, which opened at 3RD Ethos Gallery this past November.
Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival: Reclaiming Our Time
by Emma Riva // Published October 5th, 2020
Emma investigates this year’s Fall For Arts Festival on Roosevelt Island, aimed at promoting social justice.
Max Sansing: The Key to Community is Giving Back
by Jeff Mancilla // Published August 17th, 2020
Max Sansing, a Chicago-based artist known for his large-scale murals and fine art paintings, is one of the country’s most prolific and proficient artists. His vibrant works have been featured in galleries and on walls across the United States. However, this impressive two decade career started from humble origins.
Appreciate the Pain: The Next Chapter of Phobik
by Brian Bloss // Published March 9th, 2020
Brian interviews Phobik, to discuss how a near-death injury lead the artist to turn the page to next chapter of both life and art.