“Beyond the Streets” is returning to Southampton Arts Center with its latest exhibition, titled “Post Graffiti.” The exhibition theme revolves around the journey of rebellious subway artists from the ’70s and ’80s in New York City to the global movement they have inspired. The term “Post Graffiti” signifies a shift from traditional graffiti’s illicit nature to a more accepted, legitimate art form in gallery settings.
As the movement has progressed, artists associated with Post Graffiti continue to draw inspiration from the rich history of graffiti writing and the streets. They form a loose coalition that blurs and elevates their source of inspiration through drawing, painting, sculpture, and installation. The exhibition is on view from May 11 through July 20. We spoke with Roger Gastman, the founder of Beyond the Streets, to learn more about the exhibition.
Can you tell us about your journey and how you started Beyond the Streets?
I have been involved in the graffiti and street art worlds since the early ’90s, starting as a graffiti writer and transitioning into a curator, historian, and champion of the culture. Through the years, we have put together over 100 books, several documentaries, and countless shows, small and large. I started Beyond The Streets in 2018, with the goal to entertain yet educate on the history of the art and where it has taken people. Through the last several years, I am happy to say we have had well over half a million people through our doors globally.
Can you talk a bit about the concept of Post Graffiti and how the art form has evolved?
The term Post Graffiti came about in New York in the early 1980s — it’s based off of the artists coming off the subway trains and going into the galleries. They were mostly doing work like the work they had been doing on the trains with spray paint but now on canvas. It quickly expanded, and the artist’s work continued to mature. Today, graffiti is larger than it ever has been, and artists continue to hone their skills on the streets. Many go on to have incredible studio careers of works that are inspired by the streets but not the work they were doing on the streets. Post Graffiti celebrates this.
Tell us about the “Beyond The Streets” show opening at the Southampton Arts Center and what visitors can expect.
The show starts with an installation painted by John Matos, aka CRASH, who was in the first Post Graffiti show in the early ’80s in New York City and has been nonstop in the culture for 50 years. It’s bright, bold, and pop art. Throughout the show, you will find some cases filled with ephemeral pieces dating back to the late ’70s. Plus, so many great paintings — come! You won’t be disappointed!
Can you tell us about some of the show’s featured artists and standout pieces?
Like all Beyond the Streets shows, there is honestly something for everyone. When bringing together artists for Post Graffiti — the grouping is people who have all sorts of styles in their studio practices that might not normally show together if not under this banner. You are going to leave the show, I hope, with a new favorite artist.
