NY State of Mind – Group Exhibition | April 5 – 6, 2019

Curated by Sophocles and Oriel

NY State of Mind is a group art exhibition curated by Sophocles and Oriel celebrating the finest emerging artists making groundbreaking moves in NYC. The show features over 40 American and international artists exhibiting pieces inspired by the spirit of New York.

Sophocles makes what he calls Metro Manga (Subway Comics) every time he rides the subway. On his portable drawing pad, Sophocles captures portraits of real New Yorkers as they commute and makes up fictional Subway Stories to go along with them. He mainly uses a Fude Pen (calligraphy brush pen) to draw comics on white paper to make Subway Sumi-e stories but also experiments with lots of art supplies while making his Metro Manga. In October 2018 Sophocles took his Metro Manga to the next level by making acrylic paintings on canvas.

Sophocles is a published author, illustrator, virtual reality artist, cartoonist, fine artist, curator, and art teacher. He self-published his books Subway Stories, Sounds of the Subway, and Metro Manga. He has taught art classes in afterschool programs in NYC and currently teaches cartooning and manga (comics) in Manhattan. He has curated shows in Tribeca NY, Astoria Queens, and Dumbo Brooklyn and has exhibited in over 40 group shows all around NYC, Brooklyn, Queens, and Yonkers. He has been interviewed on the radio and TV about his art and shows, published his manga strips in a Japanese bestseller, and spoken about his books Subway Stories and Sounds of the Subway in a Book Panel at One Arts Space.

You can see Sophocles’ art on Instagram @sophocles.art and see more of his Cartoons, Comics, Illustrations, and paintings on his website www.Sophoclesart.com

Oriel Ceballos is a contemporary artist, curator, and educator. He was born in Panama and raised in Brooklyn, NY, since the age of seven. He obtained degrees from Brooklyn College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Teachers College, Columbia University. However, Oriel did not think of becoming an artist until age 29. His art invokes cultural, philosophical, and historical themes to foster critical thinking and humanistic ideals — a culmination of his undergraduate and graduate studies in the fields of Education, Philosophy, Psychology, and Theology. Through his art, Oriel hopes to engender a critical understanding of art, culture, politics, etc.

Oriel’s technique involves sketching and painting in a semi-realism style mixed with expressionist and impressionist elements. He also employs bright colors, text, symbolic references, and a childlike painting style which leaves negative (white) spaces in his artwork. Oriel exhibited his art in over 30 group exhibitions; he has illustrated a book and music album cover; has been featured in several short documentaries; interviewed over a dozen times by journalists, and has sold thousands of paintings as a curator and street artist.

To promote his art, Oriel uses Instagram (@OR1EL) and Facebook (OR1EL) and sells art worldwide online via his website OR1EL.COM.

Featured artists: @sophocles.art, @or1el, @Thais.coelho.artista, @the_dtore, @bunnyslpr, @domth3bomb, @rosafortysart, @goofyfruit, @bc2art, @kaylanvicente, @elena_wolfe77, @leveyofficial, @lytevisuals, @bareally, @naomiarroyo_, @inmmezzure, @emc2dvs, @thelearningcurv, @theartistjackflo, @cynthiiajasmiin, @obnoxious_creativity, @em.ill.e @blakelee_movers, @gaby.snow.art, @coolguyjon, @gitza93, @glissie, @schoolstreetarts @theymadgarcia, @cose_tds, @iheartplacide, @anishablaneskall, @ecobloom, @thepourartistnj, @kaleidoperson, @ali.shabazz_, @yaygoart, @art.souha, @tanatorrent, @vrtizt, @drdope, @naikipetme, @blackandblue_7, @keishagayeanderson, @lilikomitski, @allcitykush_llc