ZEPHYR- 51X Invite
ZEPHYR- 51X Invite 1982. Color Xerox 8.5" x 11" . From an edition of 100. From the Collection of Rich Colicchio Gallery 51X.
51X Gallery
Rich Colicchio
After graduating from school of visual arts in 1980 I faced the usual dilemma of a fine artist. How do I get my work into galleries? The idea of trudging from one Soho gallery to another with my slides depressed me. I realized the only way to get exposure was to do it myself. So in 1981, in a storefront at 51 St. Marks Place, 51X Gallery was born. Created as an alternative to the Soho and 57th St. gallery system, 51X had the distinction of being one of the first artist run gallery's in the East Village.
From 1981- 1984, 51X produced a variety of exhibitions featuring the artists who defined the downtown scene. In presenting shows by Dondi , Crash, Futura, Zephyr and Revolt, among others, 51X aided greatly in shaping and giving impetus to the graffiti art movement.
About the Artist
Zephyr
Dubbed “The elder-statesman of graffiti” by the New York Times in 1995, Zephyr began creating graffiti in 1975 and first signed using the name "Zephyr" in 1977. He was part of the first wave of New York City graffiti artists to make the transition from applying graffiti to subway cars and buildings, to exhibiting in galleries. Zephyr is best known for redesigning his trademark name, “Zeph” or “Zephyr.” He is a veteran of New York’s FunGallery, which also included graffiti legends Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Kenny Scharf.