With their exhibitions, publications, and events, Beyond the Streets is a burgeoning movement for blossoming contemporary artists. With their latest exhibition, Beyond the Streets continues its legacy of immersive, large-scale productions that invite viewers to celebrate innovative artists of today. From May 11–July 20, the organization takes over Southampton Arts Center’s space for its sixth show in the United States.
This summer, “POST GRAFFITI” spurred Beyond the Streets’ return to the East Coast center’s over 8,000 sq. feet of space and sprawling grounds, the ideal space to present over 25 artists’ paintings and sculptures. The exhibition at Southampton Arts Center marks their second installation at the space, following their 2021 show, “BEYOND THE STREETS on PAPER.”
Installation view of Beyond the Streets “POST GRAFFITI” at Southampton Arts Center; photo by Gary Marman.
First opened in 1898 by art collector Samuel Longstreth Parrish, the Southampton Arts Center originally aimed to display Parrish’s vast arrangement of Italian Renaissance art and recreations of classical Greek and Roman statues. 125 years later, the space provides a striking backdrop for Beyond the Streets’ latest show: historic pieces hang above vibrant contemporary creations on the museum’s walls.
Installation view of Beyond the Streets “POST GRAFFITI” at Southampton Arts Center; photo by Gary Marman.
“POST GRAFFITI” at Southampton Arts Center
With their latest show, Beyond the Streets acknowledges graffiti’s prominent role in pop culture today. The creative medium has played a role in music, fashion, politics, entertainment, marketing, and other facets of daily life to a never-before-seen degree. “POST GRAFFITI” toys with what we are left with now in the street art scene, blending together the outside world with the art sphere.
“In its journey from the subway tunnels of 70s and 80s New York to the global stage, graffiti has transcended its roots to become a defining element of contemporary culture,” explained Beyond the Streets founder Roger Gastman. “‘POST GRAFFITI’ captures this transformation, showcasing how a once clandestine form of expression has grown into a vital, influential art movement.”
“Graffiti has transcended its roots to become a defining element of contemporary culture,”
— Roger Gastman
Installation view of Beyond the Streets “POST GRAFFITI” at Southampton Arts Center; photo by Gary Marman.
Works by Kenny Scharf, Alexis Ross, LADY PINK, and More
“POST GRAFFITI” is an elaborate curation of today’s most notable contemporary artists, including Andrew Durgin-Barnes, Barry McGee, Chito, Conor Harrington, C.R. Stecyk III, Crash, FUTURA, Kenny Scharf, Haroshi, Guerrilla Girls, and more. Each work is a testament to Beyond the Streets’ forward-facing approach, as they together form a dynamic conversation about the state of the world today.
Installation view of Beyond the Streets “POST GRAFFITI” at Southampton Arts Center; photo by Gary Marman.
“This exhibition not only pays homage to the pioneers who risked everything to express themselves but also celebrates the diverse artists who continue to push the boundaries of what graffiti can be,” described Gastman. “It’s a testament to the enduring power of creativity against the backdrop of societal change, reminding us that art from the streets can speak volumes in galleries and beyond.”
Kenny Scharf‘s Beyond the Streets pieces are classic examples of the artist’s “Pop Surrealist” layered paintwork and unique artistic style. Scharf’s distorted spray paint figures are a testament to Beyond the Streets’ root goal: uplifting street art in the gallery setting.
The Long Island exhibition is a distinctive ode to the beauty, pressing messages, and talent that stem from street art, inviting viewers to honor today’s leading artists and pressing contemporary topics.
Kenny Scharf, “BTS 1,” 2023, Spray paint on canvas, 96 x 72 in. Courtesy of Beyond the Streets.
LADY PINK, “Untitled / 7 Train,” 1985, Acrylic on canvas, 18 x 24 in. Courtesy of Beyond the Streets.
