Bleecker Street has long been an infamous drag in one of America’s most infamous cities. In the heart of Greenwich Village, Bleecker is a spine that connects several neighborhoods in New York City and has long been a breeding ground for unique musicians and comedians. It was also once a major center for American bohemia and punk. Other nearby sites include Washington Square Park and the music venue Cafe Wha?, where Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Kool & the Gang, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, and many others began their careers. The club CBGB, which closed in 2006, was located at the east end of Bleecker Street, at the corner of Bowery.
As a native New Yorker, it is only fitting that Ellis Gallagher, a former graffiti writer, immortalize the infamous New York City strip with his Bleecker Street Mailbox. Completed in 2009, this RUN was just recently finished as two-color screen print which is available exclusively here on 1xRUN in both Silver and Gold. Read on for the 1xRUN Thru with Ellis G.
1xRUN Thru Interview
Bleecker Street Mailbox by Ellis G
1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?
Ellis G: 2009
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Ellis G: This was taken during the summer of 2009 in New York City.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Ellis G: Aimless wandering.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Ellis G: Seconds.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Ellis G: I am the only one who drew it and photographed it.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?
Ellis G: It’s dope.
1xRun: Describe Bleecker Street Mailbox in one gut reaction word.
Ellis G: fresh.
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Ellis G: As a young toy punk kid in Manhattan, taggin the streets.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Ellis G: oe and p13 tmd, rd 357, chissy, chris 217, PRAY, COST KRT.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Ellis G: I listen to street sounds.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Ellis G: damien hirst. james turrell. then my work would be expensive.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Ellis G: keith haring. we both work in chalk as well as other mediums.
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Ellis G: I trade a lot.
1xRun: What else do you have in the works ?
Ellis G: Some new sculptures, mini dioramas of street scenes with light and shadows outlined.
1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?
Ellis G: Website – Facebook – Twitter – Facebook ArtPage
-1xRUN.com