VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

DiverseWorks and Aerosol Warfare's GONZO247 pair up to present Grandalism.  Curated by GONZO247 and featuring SKEEZ181, on view September 9-October 29, 2011. Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 9, 6-9pm.

Grandalism is a season-long series of street art commissions presented in partnership with GONZO247, founder of Aerosol Warfare. Throughout the season, the DiverseWorks dock will be the backdrop for a series of rotating, large-scale works that features accomplished street artists. Featuring a different artist every 8 weeks, Grandalism showcases the raw talent and innovation of the city’s freshest and most prolific urban artists selected by one of Houston’s most notable street art legends.

About SKEEZ181
Skeez181 is an ex-graffiti writer/artist from Houston Texas who’s been spray painting artworks for over 18 years. His artistic styles are strongly influenced by ancient aztec heiroglyphics, futuristic imagery and graffiti. His name was derived from a lyric used in a song called “You’re a customer” by the 80′s hip hop group EPMD. Skeez’s origins track back to the streets of northside Houston in the late 80′s/ early 90′s when he began drawing flyers for local house parties while in school. His need to experiment with spray paint shortly began thereafter “tagging” and “bombing” his neighborhood and quickly evolving to painting trains illegaly. In 1996 Skeez was arrested for painting freight trains and received 4 years probation for his crimes. He was left with an addiction to spray paint but having no intention on going to jail again, he decided to focus on legal walls, commissions and murals. He began painting canvases live at the Westheimer Street Festival in 1997, meeting countless admirers who’ve hired him throughout the years. Skeez has painted commissions for several Houston businesses as well as national corporations including Coca-Cola, Universal Records and ADV films. “Skeezer Stinkfist” is an altered ego of Skeez181 inspired by the song “Stinkfist” by LA alternative band TOOL.

For more information on SKEEZ181, click HERE.

ABOUT THE CURATOR

Gonzo247 is a native Houstonian who was exposed to graffiti and began his pursuit in 1984 as an artist. Gonzo247′s list of achievements include opening Aerosol Warfare Gallery, producing a graffiti video series, establishing a Houston Wall of Fame (the city’s largest art production of its kind) and working with top brands on advertising campaigns that speak to urban communities.