BANKSY!!!

This week I spent an invigorating - yet appallingly short! - two days in New York City. The purpose of the trip was quite simply to get away for a few days and boost my artistic engine, so to speak. I saw two plays (Fences at the Cort Theatre and Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson at the Public) went to a few museums and galleries and ate food that was off the chain. Refueled? Why yes! Mission. Accomplished.

I also had the opportunity to see something that I have been mildly obsessed with for the past few years. Not too far down from the hotel I stayed at in Chelsea, I was able to actually see a work by the incredible graffitti artist, Bansy. Bansy's identity is unknown but what we do know about him is that he is British, was probably raised in Bristol where his first artworks appeared and is a cheeky monkey. His works are often satirical pieces that reflect politics, culture and ethics and are known for their distinctive stenciling technique. He doesn't sell photos of his works and has mentioned several times in his posts online (ww.banksy.com) that his art is for the people.

Radical, huh?

When you go away, you can find inspiration in the most pedestrian of places. I found mine on a walk on the Highline, the newest addition to New York art firmament. For those of you unfamiliar, the Highline is essentially, a beautiful landscaped walking concourse that was developed over 10 years on an abandonned rail line. It opened last year, stunning in its construction and was a great way to see both the New York and New Jersey skylines. As we walked along, the saw these placards jutting out from the grasses that formed its borders:

THAT, my friends, are words to live by, non?