When I first saw Joe Iurato's art I assumed the pieces were made digitally. I assumed that someone must have photoshopped a cool illustration into a real background.
The images were so striking; how it could it have been otherwise? I was totally wrong.
Joe Iurato is kind of a guerrilla street artist. Though his message and techniques may be different, the way viewers interact with his work is not dissimilar from the chalk artist in Poland who covers the street with lace or David Zinn, who creates animal illustrations in cracks on the sidewalk.
The three artists have one thing in common: their work is completely ephemeral. One day it will be there, the next day it will be gone, whether it was the rain that washed it away or a custodial worker who removes it. The pieces may be beautiful but they aren't made to last forever, only to capture the eyes of a few before being destroyed.
However, Iurato chooses to use his art to tell his life story through vignettes, moments and phases. The work he does isn't digital. It's created with wood, spray paint and stencils.
It's hard not to be in awe of his work and how images so small can make such bold, intimate statements about life. You might see him in his work, yourself, or someone you know — either way there's something comforting and familiar about the scenes Iurato chooses to show us.
Be sure to check out Joe Iurato's store, website, Facebook and Instagram to keep up with his brilliant work!
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"The subjects vary, but they’re all very personal – they sort of tell the story of my life in stages," told Brooklyn Street Art in an interview.
"From break dancing to skateboarding to rock climbing to becoming a father, all of these things have helped define my character."
"This woodcut’s based on Titian’s 'The Assumption of Mary.' Takes on a different meaning here, perhaps, but... I love the song, 'Ave Maria' and that's what inspired this." Iurato writes on Facebook. "As for the place, it's empty. The same big empty place
"The pieces I’ve been making are small, spray painted wood cutouts. No bigger than 15 inches in size."
"I try to see the possibilities for a larger picture within a smaller space: a puddle can become a lake, a small crack in a cement wall can become a magnificent climb, a curb or window ledge can fall away into a desperate void, a planter box can become a
"With a little creativity, the world becomes a playground."
Iurato says he uses an old technique in a modern way to create the stunning images. "I use layers of hand cut paper and spray paint to create texture and form - a modern adaptation of an old-fashioned printing process."
Iurato is also a skater and rock climber. His work features little nods to his various pursuits.
"I guess what I hear most is that the pieces won’t last. Unlike a painting on a wall, or even wheat-pastes and stickers, these just don’t have much longevity."
The pieces are left in their environment with little holding them in place. Only those lucky enough to spot them can enjoy them before they are weathered away or removed.
"It doesn’t bother me that they’re fleeting. I got to do what I wanted to do, carried out my vision for the space, said what I wanted to say, and for the few that might have stumbled upon it during its life, maybe they had an experience they won’t forget."
"You might see it. You might not. If you do, though, it’s not something that grabbed you from across the street like a massive 40’ mural would. Chances are you caught it from the corner of your eye just a few feet away, and the connection made is intimate
This print was done in honor of 9/11. Iurato wrote on Facebook, "Been thinking about this a lot lately; 24 bucks admission to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and grab a commemorative coffee mug on the way out. I’m all for this museum. I think it’s absolutely ne
" I always feel like I need to have a damn good reason, something to say, if I’m going to create a dialog with the street and the community. They deserve the honesty."
"In 1945 Virginia Key, where Marine Stadium is located, was designated as a 'colored-only' beach. Segregation kept whites and blacks from swimming together along Miami’s shores until the 1960s. Sitting there at the stadium, looking across the waters to do
It's hard not to be taken aback by how graphic and imaginative the wooden images are.
Iurato's prints and cutouts are available for sale on Big Cartel.
Check out this quick 25 second video of his unique technique.
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