I had the cool oppurtunity to teach a few classes at Warehouse 508 through the city of Alburquerque. This was another gratifying experience . These young adults and kids were all talented. the pictures don’t do justice . A few of the older one’s were enrolled in U.N.M.that were art students and were very talented. A couple of them came to paint with me outside of the class which was very cool.I learned a lot especially with patience, which i can honestly say on my behalf is a continual work in process lol,,

No other graffiti crew from New York City’s graffiti heyday conjures up more images of angel dust-smoking, beer-drinking, “crazy white boys,” than the Bronx-born-and-bred writing group Morris Park Crew (MPC). This official history of the crew tells the stories behind the group with never-before-published photos, oral histories from MPC members, and details on the 2009-2010 MPC revival. Starting in 1977, when founding members Slip, Wedge, and Speed started the crew, this account continues with details of how Cap 1 took over and led the crew down its unforgettable path in the 1980s. With a penchant for going to war with rival graffiti crews for train space and territory, which in turn led to the largest city-wide cross-out campaign, the MPC was known as a bunch of thugs who beat, hung, and shot perceived rivals and a group of talent-less “toys.” Wrapped up in this raw tell-all about the bad boys of NYC graffiti, are not just accounts of the crew’s passion for graffiti, but the real-life challenges its young members faced in their urban environment.

http://www.fatcap.com/article/mpc-book.html

http://www.12ozprophet.com/news/book-morris-park-crew-the-official-history/

http://www.amazon.com/Morris-Park-Crew-Official-History/dp/076434157X

http://www.acclaimmag.com/arts/read-morris-park-crew-the-official-history/http://www.stylefile.com/urban-media-morris-park-crew-book-fid-52570.html

http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/graffiti/1570

2010 he was part of the 516 arts show “Street text art from the coasts& The Populist Phenomenon where he represented New York alongside fellow artists Lady Pink, Henry Chalfant, Chaz Borjorquez, Shepard Fairey, Swoon, Ernest Doty and others. He also exhibited at the Wooden Cow and Toni Chi galleries where he was part of the RISE project. 2011 he participated in the urban revitalization mural program in Albuquerque N.M. Later was asked to teach a mural class at Warehouse 508 sponsored by the City Of Albuquerque . 2012 He became a published author Morris Park Crew (the official history) publisher Schiffer books.In the vein of Pop Surrealism John brings paintings of playful characters,figurative portraits, and self expression executed in both realistic and abstract styles. Having been born and raised in the Bronx, John was exposed to many people and cultures, which is reflected in his artwork.John continues to work as a visual artist as well as mentoring youth to encourage and promote positive aspects of urban art.

Municipalities throughout the country spend multi millions of dollars on graffiti cleanup significant time and expense is dedicated by court systems engaged in prosecution of related offenses. These expenses continue to be borne while, at the same time, existing public art programs and spaces have been greatly diminished.

I am a middle age man who grew up in a most heavily-concentrated urban environment   I fully understand the challenges of growing up in the challenged urban area in a single parent family. I have seen the inside of Rahwah, Sing Sing ,prisons been in Spofford, and been in 12 step programs. I have been a small independent business owner and I currently work in local government.

I am fully familiar with the responsibilities that elected officials have to their constituents and to tax payers as a whole. I believe I am in a unique position, with my background, experience and motivations, to have earned both a respect and an understanding of both sides of the situation. It is, unfortunately, my observation that municipalities are focused more on surface remedies, than dealing with, or finding solutions to, the on-going problems.

As a case and point – instead of a municipality investing scarce funding in efforts to clean up after the problem and getting minimal lasting results, why will they not invest the time and resources in to trying to engage the youth that create the problem?

For starters if you can build a skate park for the youth, why can’t you build some walls in them to have mural contests? Get local businesses and communities involved for prizes, art supplies, dinner, etc. Get them involved in youth internships at a variety of businesses, youth programs etc.

Will it stop all vandalism? Unfortunately no! But, that goes for anything in life. There will always be a percentage of people regardless, who just won’t cooperate. But, I believe that addressing the problem by providing positive alternatives can confront the issue and, at the same time, be a considerable cost savings to the tax payer.

In your municipality or community you are fulfilling a responsibility to your constituents knowing that you are providing a place and an alternative for positive expression and at the same time benefiting both the community and citizens that live there. These are just a few ideas, some viable alternatives to long existing issues confronting our youth

www.slipkidesigns.com

Statement:

During the late 1970’s Growing up in the Bronx N.Y. John experienced firsthand the graffiti hip hop movement that planted the seeds of an art movement the world over, inspiring a generation of artists that included the likes of Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. During the 1980’s He witnessed his peers of the era make the transformation of placing their art from trains to canvas and shown in galleries like Sidney Janis, and Fashion Moda. After a 20 year absence John has been blessed and humbled by the response to his art. In the vein of pop surrealism John’s paintings of vibrant colorful characters, figurative portraits, and self expression are executed in both realistic and abstract styles. Having been born and raised in the Bronx. N.Y. John was exposed to many people and cultures which are reflected in his art work. John is committed to and works with communities and youth to encourage all positive aspects of art.

Education:

Art and Design at Christopher Columbus

Bronx, New York. NYC Transit MTA

Solo Exhibitions:

 2009

Loma Colorado Library Rio Rancho NM

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2010

Street text art from the coasts & the populist phenomena 516 arts Albuquerque, NM

2010

Artists for Autism University of New Mexico .Embassy Suites Ballroom Albuquerque, NM

2010

Toni Chi Gallery The Rise Project Albuquerque, NM

2010

Wooden Cow Gallery Albuquerque, NM

2011

Art in the streets M.O.C.A Los Angeles, CA

2011

The Grain Silo El Paso, TX

2011

Bomb the Canvas the Factory Albuquerque, NM

2011

Real Kings Trillion Art Space and print gallery Albuquerque NM

2012

Adjust Gallery Book signing, Mural installation Miami FL,

2014

Moving Murals City Lore Gallery New York, NY

2014

400 ML Gallery Albuquerque, NM

 Selected Public Works

2010

 Santa Fe Art institute 350.org

2010

Bad Ass Coffee restaurant franchise Bernalillo, NM

2010

San Pedro Mall (Santurio De Chimayo Mural) original artist Jan Oliver Albuquerque, NM

2011

City of Albuquerque Warehouse 508 mural director Albuquerque, NM

2013

Vortex theater  ,installation Albuquerque, NM

2014

Flying Star, Satellite coffee restaurants Albuquerque, NM

2015

Better call Saul, AMC network T.V. series season 2 episodes 7

Filmography

1978

Phil Donahue Show NBC studios Chicago, Ill

1978

Scared Straight, Rahway, N.J.

1981

Stations of the elevated. Manfred Kirchheimer New York Film festival. 2014 re release Brooklyn museum

1983

P.B.S. Documentary “Style Wars” *Morris Park Crew (MPC) 2014 Blu- ray edition Henry Chalfant Tony Silver

2012

Big Subway Archives I books Henry Chalfant

Bibliograhy

1984

Subway Art Thames Hudson 2009 25^th anniversary *MPC

1987

Spray can Art Thames Hudson *MPC

2008

Subway outlaws

2009

Graffiti Kings Abrams Publishing*MPC

2009

Animal New York Magazine*MPC

2009

Alibi Magazine

2009–

Graffiti New York Abrams publishing*MPC

2010

Albuquerque Journal

2010

Travel Examiner

2011-History of American graffiti Harper publishing*MPC

2012

AAA magazine NM

2012

Published Author Morris Park Crew Schiffer Publishing

2012

Acclaim Magazine

2012

Miami New Times

2013

Signature aerosol cans. All city paint, The LA Underground Albuquerque NM

2013

Canella magazine Barcelona, Spain

2014

I’m In Miami Bitch, Andrew Kaufman

2014

Rio Rancho Observer

2014–

Blade- “The king of Graffiti” Schiffer Publishing.

Kass_Slip_Ed 1980 Freeman st Bx Ny

Kass Slip Ed1980 Freeman street Bx NY

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2010 Hway 550 Solo

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Street Text • Art from the Coasts & The Populist Phenomenon

October 2 – December 11, 2010

STREET TEXT is a two-part exhibition examining Street Art and its evolution into a worldwide cultural movement. The upstairs portion of the exhibition titled Art From the Coasts is curated by Andrew Connors, Curator of Art at The Albuquerque Museum. He compares masters of graffiti art from New York and Los Angeles, including the work of Chaz Bojórquez, Gajin Fujita, John Lorne and Lady Pink, as well as the documentary photography of Henry Chalfant

http://www.516arts.org/exhibitions.html

One of the coolest things to happen since I’ve come back.A collage of real New York city trains I painted as a kid during 1978-1980 with other crew members.The L.A. Underground 2000 central avenue Albuquerque NM