Art made with self-love – from the streets of NYC to the galleries
Viviane Faver
It is well known that New York City is home to a diverse and dynamic population, including young creatives who are pushing the boundaries of community and culture in new and unexpected ways. This is especially true in the Black community, where a number of “Rising Stars” are leading the way and exemplifying the wide range of expressions within the Black experience.
One of these rising stars is Uncutt Art, a Queens native who created the “Protect Yo Heart ” graffiti, which can be seen in cities all over the world, including New York. Uncutt introduced the movement at Art Basel in 2014 with a mural in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Over the years, “Protect Yo Heart” and his #ProtectYoHeART stencil have organically gained recognition and popularity, leading to over 3 million social media posts and over 1 billion likes on Instagram. Celebrities like Madonna and Paris Hilton have also shown support for the movement.
Nine-Year-Old High School Grad is Making Black History
Uncutt started writing the phrase on sidewalks 10 years ago as a way to promote self-love. He is now being invited to exhibit his work in galleries rather. This month he was invited to exhibit one of his sculptures in a gallery In Brooklyn. In addition, his new project is to make ‘Protect your heart’ a national holiday on April 23rd with annual events to follow. He has been in contact with the mayor’s office to discuss the idea and how important it is to remind people to have self-love.
“Initially, I was just trying to connect souls through my Art in the black entrepreneur and artist communities, and the human community of broken souls. We often ignore mental health, especially among the isolated and marginalized. For me, my Art has always been the answer. Finding the right words to express myself and reach and touch people in a certain way was always my goal. Over the years, many have told me and written public testimonies about how they feel seeing the words “Protect Yo Heart” on a mural in New York, LA, or Miami. People want to believe in something. I want to help people believe in themselves. When you are at that breaking point, what you think about yourself is the only thing that matters. “
Uncutt’s journey as an artist has not been easy, as he explains that being an artist is difficult, especially for Black artists who face challenges finding the right gallery or representation. However, he advises new artists to never stop working on their craft and to go out and build relationships with galleries by attending art shows and meeting gallery owners in person. He also suggests moving around and meeting new people, to not be “locked into one community”, as this can help expand their network and increase their exposure.
Uncutt explains that street art is unique in that it cannot be bought, and the people who appreciate it in the street are different from those who would buy it in galleries. The challenge is finding the right circle for your art and not being undervalued. For Uncutt, his art is about community and bringing people together, and he wants people to identify with their inner selves.
Finally, Uncutt advises struggling artists to always remember that they need help and to surround themselves with supportive people who believe in their work. “Making money with my Art is not my goal. I want to help people identify with their inner selves. It’s about fostering community and bringing people together.”
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