JRAD: NYC Street Scene

18x24 box frame; SOLD

This piece is a tribute to the fabulously talented Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. I chose a NYC street scene for two reasons. First, JRAD shares the same dichotomies as NYC: raw and refined, unfettered and disciplined, rooted in tradition and reinvented. Second, NYC is JRAD’s birthplace: their first show was Freak’s Ball XIII on January 26th, 2013, at the Brooklyn Bowl. It was the first time all five members of JRAD took the stage together — but thankfully not the last.

The center of this piece features a grey brick building graffitied with a JRAD bear. The origins of this bear face stretch back to 2015 when Russo played the tunes of his favorite band, Radiohead, for a Halloween show, and the graphic stuck. This particular bear is a patch and includes the astronaut ears and glitter bolt eyes that have become my signature. The bear’s collar is made from a fabric reminiscent of dripping paint, and those drops cascade down the building in true graffiti form.

At the bottom, the Toxic Krewe left its mark - IYKYK. And a bicyclist wearing a RAD hat rides by in Albert Hoffman style. His skin sparkles—every cell of his being is fired up. He is having a magnetic experience.

To the left stands a church—the Church of St. Stephen, of course. I created this structure with ceramic tile and cement. The stained glass window, in classic Grateful Dead colors, is made from a mirrored material that changes vibrancy depending on the light. Atop the brick sits a clock tower, set to Eleven.

Perched on the church’s cross sits a red robin—a tribute to Robin Von Hellens, a truly beautiful member of the JRAD family who left this realm in 2023.

Octopus tentacle flow out from the wooden building to the right—an ode to Joe Russo and his ability to convince listeners he must have eight arms to drum like he does. Above the “JRAD” graffiti sits a water tower, crafted from clay and painted shell pieces, mimicking Tom Fruin’s famous Watertower, which he created from colorful plexiglass, that sits kiddy-corner to the Brooklyn Bowl.

This art is housed in an 18x24 walnut box frame. The artist’s signature has been placed on the bottom right, beside the lamp post.

JRAD: NYC Street Scene sold. If you would like to commission a piece, email me at josielovesjerrystore@gmail.com.