ART WALK MURALS AUCTIONED TO SUPPORT NON-PROFIT CAUSES
Montclair cements itself as an arts community with the return of the first Art Walk since the fall of 2019. Despite a rainy evening, roughly 4,500 art lovers wandered downtown on April 11th to participate and visit the 100+ artists hosted by generous small businesses and non-profits. One product of this creative evening is three murals painted during the event by esteemed local artists. These murals are now going up for auction, with 50% of the proceeds being donated to a non-profit organization of the artist’s choosing!
The murals are 4×8, painted on a wood surface, weigh roughly 25 lbs, and can be delivered to the winning bid within a 10-mile radius. The auction opens on Monday, April 22nd, 2024, and will last two weeks, ending Monday, May 6th, 2024. For more information, visit the Auction page.
Introducing the three murals by muralists Chris “Cent” Reyes, CHRISTIAN, and HiCoup:
“Spread Love, It’s the Montclair Way,” by Chris “Cent” Reyes. An homage to the well-known lyrics of Biggie Smalls, this work honors the artist’s hometown of Montclair, which has captured his love for its commitment to the arts and support of local creators. Hailing from New Jersey, visual and conceptual artist Christopher Reyes showcases his versatility across various mediums, excelling particularly in aerosol, acrylic, and ink. Drawing inspiration from global events, music, graffiti, and his Hispanic roots, Reyes has carved out a distinct artistic niche marked by his signature Cs. His compositions, characterized by intricate detail, vibrant colors, and anthropomorphic lettering, convey powerful messages to elicit lively emotions. Influenced by a childhood passion for cartoons, Reyes infuses his work with surreal motifs and animated street visuals, incorporating elements from popular culture and his imagination. As artist-in-residence at Artfront Galleries in Newark, Reyes spearheads exhibition curation, workshop development, and online content creation, emphasizing street art, urban exploration, and community involvement. Embracing mentorship and collaboration, he provides emerging artists a platform to showcase their talents professionally.
50% of the proceeds of this sale will be donated to Susan G. Komen for breast cancer research, in loving memory of his mother, Angela Solari
“The Joy of Painting with Spray Paint,” by CHRISTIAN (Christian Aldunate), is a contemporary twist on Matisse’s “Joy of Painting with Scissors.” Fauvist master Henri Matisse has inspired CHRISTIAN’s work for some time, and he couldn’t pass on this opportunity to bring his legacy to life in mural form. “Being a Fauvist and following his paper cut-outs history, I can connect with every piece of paper, color, and shape he created. His longevity as an artist moves and motivates me to find that soul to keep pushing my art as long as he did.” Over 25 years, CHRISTIAN’s journey through art and education has been shaped by encounters with diverse talents, particularly in NYC’s South Bronx and Brownsville, Brooklyn. His passion for graffiti, nurtured by his high school art teacher, fuels his creative drive. Rooted in his cultural experiences, CHRISTIAN integrates his background into his teaching, engaging with NYC youth through art. From street tags to mural painting, his work serves as a platform for self-expression and community engagement, embodying the lessons learned from his mentor. Embracing the fluidity between teacher and student roles, CHRISTIAN inspires others to explore their creativity.
50% of the proceeds of this sale will be donated to The Art of Autism.
“Shotgun Wedding,” by HiCoup, a local abstract expressionist painter and owner of Death of Caesar Gallery in Montclair. The piece reflects a forced marriage between sculpture and painting in collapsed and expanded space, resulting in something like a forced polygamous marriage in that what is meant to be an otherwise beautiful and touching event has hard edges and tension brought to it. HiCoup, aka Jason Xavier Sparrow, is a complex artist whose upbringing in Jersey City contrasts with his parents’ educated background. Despite facing challenges like abuse and gang violence, he found solace and expression in art, influenced by his mother’s passion for it. HiCoup’s artistic journey began with self-teaching and formal education, leading to early recognition alongside esteemed artists. His story intertwines personal struggle with creative growth, shaping him into an enigmatic figure in the art world.
50% of the proceeds of this sale will be donated to Oaks Integrated Care.
The auction site can be found here.
For all press release and auction inquiries, please get in touch with Event Manager & Community Liaison Christian Powell at christian@montclaircenter.com