Ben Eine Opening on the Bowery

The Judith Charles Gallery on the Bowery will be the site of street artist Ben Eine’s first solo show. In anticipation of the opening of the show Eine has put up striking murals around town, including on Riker’s Island. Eine’s calling card is his brightly colored typographic writings.

Eine first became interested in graffiti art in 1984, when he was 14 years old. The next 20 years he spent tagging everything he could, and painting walls and trains. This was about the same time that street art was being recognized as a legitimate artistic undertaking, allowing graffiti artists more freedom to leave their marks without fear of imprisonment.

When picking sites for Eine’s murals around New York before his solo show, he looked for locations that were accessible, easy to view, and prominent. His main mural was painted at the former chocolate factory at 325 West Broadway.

Ben Eine’s first solo show, Heartfelt, will be held at the Judith Charles Gallery at 196 Bowery at Spring Street and will run until March 16, 2014.