Whether you were among the 4,500 art lovers who attended Art Walk 2024 or couldn’t make it, you have a chance to own a cool keepsake: an Art Walk Mural! Three local artists painted the murals during the event, and their work is now up for auction.
The artists painted the murals on a 4×8 wood surface, each weighing roughly 25 lbs. Winning bidders within a 10-mile radius can have them delivered. The auction remains open through Monday, May 6, with 50% of the proceeds benefiting a nonprofit chosen by the artists.
Here are the three murals by muralists Chris “Cent” Reyes, CHRISTIAN, and HiCoup that are up for auction:
An homage to the well-known lyrics of Biggie Smalls, “Spread Love, It’s the Montclair Way,” by Chris “Cent” Reyes honors the artist’s hometown of Montclair, which has captured his love for its commitment to the arts and support of local creators. New Jersey-born visual and conceptual artist Christopher Reyes showcases his versatility across various mediums, excelling particularly in aerosol, acrylic, and ink. Drawing inspiration from global events, music, graffiti, and his Hispanic roots, Reyes has carved out a distinct artistic niche marked by his signature Cs. His compositions, characterized by intricate detail, vibrant colors, and anthropomorphic lettering, convey powerful messages to elicit lively emotions. Influenced by a childhood passion for cartoons, Reyes infuses his work with surreal motifs and animated street visuals, incorporating elements from popular culture and his imagination. As artist-in-residence at Artfront Galleries in Newark, Reyes spearheads exhibition curation, workshop development, and online content creation, emphasizing street art, urban exploration, and community involvement. Embracing mentorship and collaboration, he provides emerging artists a platform to showcase their talents professionally.
50% of the proceeds of this sale will be donated to Susan G. Komen for breast cancer research, in loving memory of his mother, Angela Solari
“The Joy of Painting with Spray Paint,” by CHRISTIAN (Christian Aldunate), is a contemporary twist on Matisse’s “Joy of Painting with Scissors.” Fauvist master Henri Matisse has inspired CHRISTIAN’s work for some time, and he couldn’t pass on this opportunity to bring his legacy to life in mural form. “Being a Fauvist and following his paper cut-outs history, I can connect with every piece of paper, color, and shape he created. His longevity as an artist moves and motivates me to find that soul to keep pushing my art as long as he did.” Over 25 years, CHRISTIAN’s journey through art and education has been shaped by encounters with diverse talents, particularly in NYC’s South Bronx and Brownsville, Brooklyn. His passion for graffiti, nurtured by his high school art teacher, fuels his creative drive. Rooted in his cultural experiences, CHRISTIAN integrates his background into his teaching, engaging with NYC youth through art. From street tags to mural painting, his work serves as a platform for self-expression and community engagement, embodying the lessons learned from his mentor. Embracing the fluidity between teacher and student roles, CHRISTIAN inspires others to explore their creativity.
50% of the proceeds of this sale will be donated to The Art of Autism.
“Shotgun Wedding,” by HiCoup, a local abstract expressionist painter and owner of Death of Caesar Gallery in Montclair. The piece reflects a forced marriage between sculpture and painting in collapsed and expanded space, resulting in something like a forced polygamous marriage in that what is meant to be an otherwise beautiful and touching event has hard edges and tension brought to it. HiCoup, aka Jason Xavier Sparrow, is a complex artist whose upbringing in Jersey City contrasts with his parents’ educated background. Despite facing challenges like abuse and gang violence, he found solace and expression in art, influenced by his mother’s passion for it. HiCoup’s artistic journey began with self-teaching and formal education, leading to early recognition alongside esteemed artists. His story intertwines personal struggle with creative growth, shaping him into an enigmatic figure in the art world.
50% of the proceeds of this sale will be donated to Oaks Integrated Care.
Get more details and bid on a mural online here.