Businesses Put Graffiti Artists To Good Use


by on Feb 16th, 2010

Recently we ran an article that covered a graffiti problem on East 19th Street and other places (and here, here, here and here). It began to look like Sheepshead Bites is anti-graffiti, but in reality this blog’s editor, Ned Berke, is a big fan of street art done well. We just don’t like the shmucks who are putting their hideous marks on other people’s property.

We have a message for them: practice at home. Get good, then get paid for it.

There are many businesses in the area that have put talented graffiti artists to good use.

Benny's Gourmet Pizza (Photo by Ray Johnson)

Above, Pizzeria Del Corso (3003 Avenue U off Batchelder Street) has done a mural that is a perfect example of graffiti done right. It’s a beautiful, full-size mural promoting the business it adorns. It is there with purpose and reason, it’s fun to look at, and it’s not vandalism.

They’re not the only pie-tossers with the idea. Benny’s Gourmet Pizza (1730 Jerome Avenue) has a really well-done piece that takes up the entire length of the building and has some interesting characters on it.

The new Boost Mobile store opening up at 1505 Sheepshead Bay Road is getting artist Sueworks to put up a mural indoors once they get permission from the suits higher up.

And sometimes graffiti can be informational, like this piece on Coney Island Avenue:

For those of you “artists” out there that enjoy tagging post offices and garages, why not take this example to heart? You don’t have to vandalize property to display your art. It certainly doesn’t make you better, and no one gives a crap about your street cred. You get cred by being good. So find someone who’ll give you a legal canvas to work on, volunteer your talent, and help make your neighborhood a better place to live. You can earn some respect and some bank while you’re at it, and come out of the shadows as a respected artist.

With additional reporting by Ned Berke.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/jeffdiamond Jeffrey Diamond

    I'm sorry but that “example of graffiti done right” on Pizzeria Del Corso is just plain disgusting. When I first saw it I thought I had moved to the “hood”.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    If you don't like that particular style of art that's ok. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and tastes, however it IS an example of graffiti done right. It's not Vandalism. That's the I was making. The majority of Graffitii around here is all vandalism. A bunch of punks basically having public pissing matches on how many pieces of property they can permanently deface. In this case it's a valid piece of art sanctioned by the owner of the property. Whether or not you like it, well that's just a perspective thing.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    I think that one has to really look at these objects to appreciate their artistic merit. A mere glance doesn't always do it.

  • bagels

    I hate it. It's depressing. Bubble letters filled in with loud colors remind me of something you would find in a ghetto. If these store owners want to fill a blank wall maybe it would be better to pay someone with real artistic ability to paint a mural depicting a local seascape or a cityscape. That's just my opinion.

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