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Ish Muhammad’s The Astros & Me
UP managing editor Emma Riva came to Chicago to interview Gary, Indiana, graffiti writer Ish Muhammad about The Astros, a graffiti-inspired futuristic retelling of an ancient Egyptian romantic drama, and walked away finding herself in a near-mythical drama of her own.
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UP5 – The Shape of Beauty: Tony Sjöman and the Rise of Rubin415
Tony Sjöman, has adopted many names, but most will recognize him as Rubin415, the artist who brings a poetic beauty to abstract murals. From the prime age of nine, he has felt the inescapable urge to markup walls and add some color, the natural inclination of a boy who grew up around the cold concrete projects of Gothenburg.
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UP Magazine’s Event Recap 2022
This year we’ve compiled an event recap, to reflect on all the exhibitions, art battles, artists talks, and release parties we’ve helped produce. Though saying the pandemic is over will probably jinx it and ensure another season of doom-and-gloom, 2022 was the first year we’ve been able to focus more of our energy ramping up live painting and in-person events, as COVID-19 faded to the background of societal consciousness.
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City of Kings at Howl!: Renewing the Faith of Graffiti
City of Kings, the new show at Howl! Happening and Howl! Arts/Howl! Archive, is curated by first generation graffiti artist Al Diaz and highlights the history of graffiti from the earliest name tags to today.
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UP5 Preview – ALOFT – Views From Up Above
A collection of photos of NYC graffiti filmed via drone.
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UP5 Preview – Graff Angeles – LA Graffiti Gallery
A collection of Los Angeles Graffiti from LA Flicks.
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UP5 Preview – Community Gallery
A collection of photos from the fabulous fun and chaos across the street art community, captured by Leah Gerstel (@icaptureyou2).
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UP5 Preview – The Boys from the Heights
The legendary “Boys from the Heights,” Mike 171 and SJK 171 and their crew welcomed UP writer Emma Riva into their graffiti family. She reflects on her own upbringing in Washington Heights and how these New York icons handle their legacy in a changing art scene.
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Tattooed Mom, Philadelphia’s Artist Playground
UP speaks to Tattooed Mom founder Robert Perry about creating a positive, welcoming space in Philadelphia for sticker artists of all backgrounds and creeds to hone their skills, plus have some amazing drinks. Like all business owners, Perry has had his share of trials and tribulations, but for the people who patronize Tattooed Moms (including UP’s Emma Riva, T.K. Mills, and Ana Candelaria), the result has been more than worth it.
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Melissa Schainker: Hands as the Window to the Soul
Fine artist and street artists Melissa Schainker uses unconventional gestures and dreamlike colors to create a landscape for the darker sides of life that we as a society “suck at talking about.”
