"When you explode legitimately against the injustices that have been heaped upon you, they use the press to make it look like you're a vandal. If you are a vandal, you have the right to be a vandal..." - Malcolm X

NEW YORK, NY - Growing up in Brooklyn during the 70’s-90’s, as a Graffiti Writer has a strong presence in KEL’s work. The portraits he paints have an urban twist of street art meets fine art.

As an only child in a house of diverse music, loud family members, street smarts, and art drove his passion in creativity. Living with his Uncle Jimmy during his childhood influenced his curiosity for self-expressionism. Jimmy was the first artist that sparked KEL’s enthusiasm for art. Jimmy would spend hours drawing images for KEL to trace and this began the only “formal” art training KEL has ever received.

Musical influences were incorporated into these artistic “lessons”. KEL was exposed at a young age to great musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, The Chamber Brothers, Janis Joplin and the Beatles. By them time he learned to explore music on his own, his tastes ventured into Jazz, Blues, Hardcore/Punk, and Hip-Hop. As a teenager on the streets of New York City, his Graffiti was an outlet for the freedom of having endless amounts of space on which to convey his art with out the confines of being a “traditionally/schooled" artist. The street is still his Art School of choice.

Feeding his need for artistic freedom, he moved his works to canvas, found objects, and to the written word, and continues to test breaking out of the boundaries of typical artistic expression. Exploring different mediums such as poetry, activism, photography and his passion for music has helped to fuel the fire of his work.

Using such tools as markers, spray paint, acrylics, bucket paint, marsh ink, chalks, pen, pencils, and roller brushes, in any combination on various surfaces, his art takes on a life of it’s own through the exploration of texture and color. Currently, KEL is working on a series of portraits of Guitar God, Jimi Hendrix. Kel was recently interveiwed by Pulse Grafix Magazine and discusses his work and influences.






Events/Exhibitions

SEE IT LOUD!
paintings by KEL 5MH
The Koi Gallery
125 Havemeyer street
(at grand st.)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Opening reception
APRIL 3rd (sat)
7pm - 11pm
$3.00 sake bar

DIRECTIONS:
By Public Transit:
L train to Lorimer
G train to Metropolitan
Driving:
Take yo' ass to map quest

After the party it's the AFTER PARTY...
@ The "M" Shanghai Lounge
11pm - 4am
(in the den)
129 Havemeyer
(2 doors down from Koi)

PAST SHOWS

The Art of KEL 5MH
Opening Reception Feb. 19th, 2004
7:30 PM-11:00 PM
Exhibit on display Feb. 19th - March 19th, 2004

Premium Goods
694 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY
C Train to Lafayette


Contact Information for KEL 5MH:

KelvadorDali@yahoo.com
boriquawizdom@hotmail.com