Finding Art in the Sidewalk Cracks

The Wooster Collective talks to the New York-based street artist Martin Sobey about his work.

This is the first installment of a new weekly series in which our friends at the Wooster Collective will be bringing some of their favorite street art to GOOD, along with interviews with the artists behind the work. We hope you enjoy it.

About a year ago, we started to notice that the drab drain pipes and scaffolding poles were coming to life with vibrant, energizing colorful wraps.  These are the work of Martin Sobey, an artist whose studio in NoHo is near many of the places he has brought to life. We believe that these small acts of creativity make New York a special city.  Passersby know the city is alive and that the human element prevails—even in a construction zone. We caught up with Sobey to ask him about his most recent work.

WOOSTER: Why do you choose where you put your pieces?

MARTIN SOBEY: My placement depends on a variety of things- initially the piece of architecture or environment that strikes me- and is applicable to my type of work- secondarily the location—can I make this thing happen?

W: How does your work contribute to the community?

MS: My work adds to my community on many levels—it introduces work not of a typical nature, with a greater impact and a stronger aesthetic than the surrounding environment. It also comes down when I deem it done—understanding its impermanence is crucial to the piece. Also: pride—my community has a large number of artists and I strive to maintain a public face of this. Represent, baby! While installing I usually come into contact with people and I get the chance to open a dialogue with neighbors and visitors, a great way to introduce people to my art, public art, and art in general.

W: How do people react to the work?

MS: Ninety nine percent of the people I encounter overwhelmingly support it, but really most people don’t even see it.

W: Why did you choose the subject matter you did?

MS: I am a photographer—I just went thataway, instead of thisaway with my art

W: What is inspiring to you now?

MS:  Inspiration—aside from the infinite universe. Losing my studio if I don’t start making some money.

To see more of Sobey’s art, visit beaconart.blogspot.co. To see more excellent street art, visit the Wooster Collective site.