718-634-4000

“Stories In Print” Opens



Share this:
Russian based photographer Yuri Yurov poses next to his infamous wooden chair that seated both current and deceased members of the RAA over the years.

Russian based photographer Yuri Yurov poses next to his infamous wooden chair that seated both current and deceased members of the RAA over the years.

Holding their most diverse printmaking exhibition yet, Rockaway Artists Alliance (RAA), invited all to check out “Stories In Print,” which had its opening reception day on Sunday afternoon, June 9.

The exhibit displays an abundance of printmaking art in various forms, with an interesting narrative by each artist.

While several local artists have work displayed, those from as far away as China, France, Korea, Russia, and Thailand were also part of “Stories in Print.”

Bangkok-based artist Nutthawut Siridejchai, who currently resides in Brooklyn, has been specializing in Typewriter Art, described as mixed media typewritten art that reflects the conceptualism of writings that expose memories, experiences and stories of diversity.

“I call it ‘The Soul Has No Gender edition 2,’ and this particular print shows different genders and sexes typed out for Pride Month,” explains Siridejchai. “I cut out different rainbow colors and sized and shaped them differently to reflect how no one person is the same … but it also means diversity and racism too.”

“Restaurant Row,” by French artist and curator Christian Le Gars.

“Restaurant Row,” by French artist and curator Christian Le Gars.

Another medium Siridejchai focuses in is intaglio printmaking, creating a bridge between images and words by using the Chine-Colle technique, using only a typewriter and thin Japanese paper to create various symbolic shapes, signs, etc. to tell the core of his stories to his audience.

Artist Anita Giraldo got to share some of her prints at RAA for the first time, displaying dauntless politicallydriven statements that people make insensitive comments about or generally touchy subjects they may stay silent on.

“My prints are part of a project called “Democrazy Spoken Here,” it’s an exploration of different phrases that we used throughout American history,” Giraldo told The Wave. “There are quotes from Frederick Douglass, Gloria Steinem and Angela Davis and they’re all in the discourse of American quotes expressed in the typeface clarendon, recognized as the wild west typeface. It is perfect for the United States because we made printing our own.”

“Crash Course,” pieces display the horrific car accident that RAA curator Victoria Barber faced and her progression.

“Crash Course,” pieces display the horrific car accident that RAA curator Victoria Barber faced and her progression.

Taking advantage of different forms of printmaking from lenticular print and digital prototypes, part of the new age digital world, Giraldo uses her art to express things that people almost seem scared to say.

“I want all of my works to make people take another look at what they hear and read online and what the difference between the two things are, because everything is going to give you an image, but some statements are very black and white. The minute somebody says something outlandish everyone is opposed to them, but at the end of the day, they are the same person the minute the sentence is over,” added Giraldo.

Russian award-winning artist Yuri Y. Yurov, also dove into the digital world to share his most inspiring project to date, etitled “Rockaway Artists Unframed,” showcasing black and white photo portraits of all those who helped shaped the RAA throughout the years whether through music, art or as a supporter. It showed deceased and current members, sitting in the same position in a simple wooden chair projected on video alongside the actual chair.

“I Never Intended To ...” made by Esther Grillo.

“I Never Intended To …” made by Esther Grillo.

“Every person I photographed sat in the same position of the chair, same source of lighting, the only thing that makes it different is the character of each person sitting on it. It’s all about artists, musicians, actors that all resided in Rockaway and exhibited in different shows through 152 pictures I took,” said Yurov.

Other featured artists includes Anthony Almeida, Chris Ann Ambery, Carolyn Antonucci, Victoria Barber, Gabriel Beghi, Carmela LaGamba Bode, Margaret Burke, Béatrice Coron, Margaret Daly, Micheal Deutsch, Christian Le Gars, Laura Glabman, Esther Grillo, John Grillo, Veronique de Guitarre, Clare Hilger, Katie Holten, Nina Jordan, Albert Lewis, Joe Lupo, Alexander Mctigue, Madeleine Monette, Richela Morgan, Renee Radenberg, Deena Des Rioux, Jessica Schulman, Anh Ta, Peach Tao, Chris Viaggio, Kyung Eun You, and Stu Watson.

Alt-country band “Sunshine Nights,” took to the stage during the art exhibit to share some catchy tunes.

Alt-country band “Sunshine Nights,” took to the stage during the art exhibit to share some catchy tunes.

Jammin “Jon” Kiebon was also present to set a sonic ambient vibe with a wave of sounds from his original tunes constructed just for the day’s event, followed by a performance by alt-country Brooklynstyle trio, Sunshine Nights.

Stories In Print will remain open from now until June 30, hours run from 12:00–4:00 p.m. at RAA’s sTudio 7 Gallery in Fort Tilden on weekends or by appointment.

‘Schillings Hotel,’ pen and ink print by Jessica Schulman.

‘Schillings Hotel,’ pen and ink print by Jessica Schulman.

Artist Anita Giraldo poses next to her bold democracy prints.

Artist Anita Giraldo poses next to her bold democracy prints.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *