July 21, 2017
Frames and Stretchers has just finished a project for the legendary street artist Lin Felton a.k.a QUIK. Two of the pieces were works on paper and framed using the mulberry paper and rice paste hinging process. These works were “floated” on museum board, and then framed with simple clean mouldings and archival glazing. The smaller of the two is a great example of Felton’s imagery painted over a subway map with his usual cultural critique exemplified in details like the “I Love New York” graphic having a skull and crossbones where the heart should be. The larger is also a classic example of the artist’s style with the Felix the Cat cartoon character superimposed over a smiling lingerie model. The remainder of this project involved stretching a third work on canvas, then passing the art along to the Art Delivery Van team who transported it to its destination.
A "Felix the Cat" painting by Lin Felton/QUIK in the studio
Felton was born in in Queens in 1958 and rose to prominence as a graffiti artist during the artistically fertile 1980s. He emerged from the train painting culture and became one of a number of NYC street artists whose work was shown in galleries and museums. Graffiti artists of the period “bombed” subway cars with billboard scale colorful tags and murals in an attempt to outdo each other and achieve citywide notoriety. Spray painted words and simple cartoon style figures created instant impact and bore a resemblance to pop art style and themes. Andy Warhol, and other artists like Martha Cooper were instrumental in popularizing street art on a higher level. QUIK’s oeuvre includes graffiti writing as well as distinct images including: cartoon characters, stereotypically glamorous female figures and black figures. The faces he renders are highly expressive and his works display a blend of cultural critique and inner emotion.
Felton's painting on a NYC subway map
Felton attended both Pratt and Parsons School of Design. In 1982 he was spotted by Yaki Kornblit, a renowned art dealer in Amsterdam and he began to gain serious recognition internationally. His work was acquired by museums including the Groninger Museum and private collectors like Henk Pijnenburg. Felton has spent extensive time in Europe, perceiving the culture as more racially tolerant, but his style and spirit remain true NYC. It was an amazing opportunity to work with him and his art!
The artist Lin Felton/QUIK (image courtesy of WideWalls)
