The Raul Review: The Outlaw Patch & Pin Show

In August of 2011, Robert Aloia and Erik Foss co-curated an exhibition at Fuse Gallery. This event was never meant to go any further but come January 2012, Robert was back at it again with The Outlaw Arts Party at White Box Gallery. Named after the “outlaw parties” of the 1980s, the exhibition brought together artists old and young and featured a screening of a documentary discussing the renegade parties of days past.

In the years since, Outlaw Arts has produced numerous exhibitions, including the infamous 21st Precinct show. Curated by Robert in coordination with VNA Magazine the show featured a large survey of New York City street art in a then vacant NYPD precinct. Each room was taken over by an artist and hallways, bathrooms, and staircases were not spared either. It was a truly diverse and visually stimulating experience that rivals the Wynwood walls and other mural projects. This truly astounding exhibition was made even more satisfying by it being housed in an what was formerly a police station.

Moving forward the brand introduced a series of pins and patches designed by artists including Pixote, Trap, Matt Siren, Easy and more. When Robert noticed people’s reactions to the artist pins he would wear he decided he would would like to bring these artist’s creativity to a greater audience in the form of wearable art. “These wearable items are fun and great advertising for the artists as well.” noted Aloia. Not only can a wider range of collectors support their favorite artists at a more accessible price point, they also spread the word just by wearing these items.

The Outlaw Patch & Pin show opened Friday, February 8th and runs through the 24th of the month at the Storefront Project. This exhibition features not only the limited edition pins and patches produced by Outlaw Arts but also hand painted denim jackets, tote bags and other small originals by the artists who designed the patches & pins.

Upcoming Outlaw Arts programming includes an exhibition at 212 Arts opening on February 15th and continuing until the end of the month. This group exhibition will feature ASVP, Bluster, Giz and Queen Andrea.