“Signs of the times” is more than just a saying. It is a vibrant reality at Art World ESPO. Here, artist Stephen Powers showcases his graphic art. Art World ESPO is Stephen Powers’ sign shop. It stands out among the pizza shops and cafes. You will see a colorful collage of signs. They grace the side of a little brick building.
Stephen Powers is also known as ESPO. He made his name painting graffiti in the 80s and 90s. He worked in New York City and Philadelphia. Now, he uses Art World ESPO as a retail store. It is also an informal gallery. Passersby can walk in. They can browse his pop-art-esque work. It is full of text and graphics.
Powers transitioned from graffiti to studio art. He dislikes the term “street art”. He has a deep love for Brooklyn. Powers sees the art scene heading in new directions.
In 1984, Powers began writing ESPO everywhere. He was just 16 years old. By 1999, Powers stopped writing graffiti. He began making art. Soon, he showed his work at the Philadelphia ICA. He also showed at the Venice Biennale. His art appeared at Deitch Projects in New York City.
Powers received a Fulbright scholarship in 2007. He painted in the streets of Dublin and Belfast. His Belfast work drew inspiration from political murals. He sought to retain some of their power. He wanted to use it in a positive way.
Powers won a Pew Exhibitions Initiative grant. He returned to Philadelphia. There, he created Love Letter For You. It was a mural project across 54 walls. He worked with 21 wall writers. Together, they painted a love letter to the city.
The Brooklyn Museum displayed a survey of Powers’ work in 2015. He painted live in the Cantor Gallery. He was there for nine months. In 2018, he showed new paintings at SFMOMA. He also painted a mural there. Today, he lives and works in New York City. He paints and shows art at Art World ESPO.
Art World ESPO is more than just a shop. It is a testament to an artist’s journey. It shows his evolution from graffiti to fine art. His gallery is open most days. The hours are from 12:00 to 18:00. Stop by to experience the art of Stephen Powers. See how he transformed signs into art.