HISTORY/MISSION STATEMENT

Gallery 151 is the premier pop-up gallery in New York City, now located in Chelsea on West 18th Street. The first show at Gallery 151 was hosted by Fab 5 Freddy in December of 2007. This exhibit unveiled a collaborative wall of graffiti discovered during the renovation of 151 Wooster by Michael Namer, downtown developer and owner of the building at the time. One of the former residents of the building was Edit DeAK, who in the late 70's and early 80's allowed young artists to "tag" a wall in her loft - some of these "young artists" were Jean-Michel Basquiat, Fab 5 Freddy, Francesco Clemente, Futura 2000, Ero, Nesto, Koor and Johnny Dynell (among others). This graffiti wall was preserved over decades and finally uncovered during construction.


Michael Namer immediately recognized the significance of this "holy grail" of graffiti and founded Gallery 151 so that the "151 Wild Style Wall" could be viewed along-side other works by artists of the same period (such as Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ero, and Koor). The success and popularity of the exhibit led to subsequent requests for exhibits by other artists, and the momentum from the first show in 2007 has continued through the present day.


The mission of Gallery 151 is to support emerging New York-based artists and provide a platform for their talent to be recognized by the public. In 2009, Gallery 151 expanded its vernacular to include issues of sustainability and environmental responsibility. The Urban Green Initiative at Gallery 151 was a series of exhibits, charity events, and performances through 2009 and 2010 that used art to encourage the discussion of these issues.


As a "green" builder, Michael Namer seeks the highest level of energy, resource, and materials efficiency in every project his company develops - whether it is residential, commercial, or hospitality. Through his generous support and sponsorship, he has been able expose the public to this important issue through exhibitions and the voices of talented artists.

 

Current Exhibitions

ERO : RIP "Ever Rocking On"

12 Jan - 01 Feb 2012

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GALLERY 151 presents a retrospective of Dominique Philbert AKA “ERO” (Ever Rocking On), one of the youngest of a pioneering group of artists in the New York City graffiti movement of the 1980’s. When ERO died on July 7th 2011 at the age of 43, it was a significant loss to New York City’s art community.

GALLERY 151 presents a retrospective of Dominique Philbert AKA “ERO” (Ever Rocking On), one of the youngest of a pioneering group of artists in the New York City graffiti movement of the 1980’s. When ERO died on July 7th 2011 at the age of 43, it was a significant loss to New York City’s art community. Throughout his life, ERO’s work was included as part of exhibits at Patti Astor’s Fun Gallery, the famous ‘Five-Man Show’ which in 1983 toured Japan (other artists included were  Fab 5 Freddy, Zephyr, Futura 2000, and Dondi White), and numerous other exhibits across the world. Most recently, ERO‘s work was displayed at GALLERY 151 in three separate exhibits: in 2007 alongside Fab 5 Freddy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, and Koor as part of “The Wild Style” exhibit, in 2008 as part of a solo exhibit, and in 2009 alongside L.A.2 and SHARP in the “Green Style” exhibit.

 
ERO’s significance as an artist cannot be measured as the history of Graffiti and Street Art is still being written. This
retrospective at GALLERY 151 will celebrate ERO’s bold use of color and classic “tag format” canvases as an exceptional and impressive body of work from an artist that we will dearly miss. Special works will be presented by the family and private collectors.
 
The exhibitions and events at GALLERY 151 would not be possible without the generous support and sponsorship of 
Michael Namer and his company Alfa Development, First West 21st Street LLC, Alison Eighteen, and Chelsea Green.
 

News

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John Platt: Interchange


Gallery 151 is proud to present John Platt for his second solo exhibition at its newest location in Chelsea. This dynamic painter fuses together a world of abstract meeting realism in his latest series INTERCHANGE, creating a visual drama based on color, theme and gesture.

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Fred Brathwaite aka FAB 5 FREDDY: NEW YORK : NEW WORK


Gallery 151 is honored to present the solo exhibition of Fred Brathwaite, hip hop pioneer and legendary graffiti artist known as Fab 5 Freddy. In 1980, Mr. Brathwaite gained noteriety by covering an entire subway car with Campbell's soup cans. This homage to Andy Warhol was the creative force in helping Brathwaite lead a cultural revolution out of which graffiti-based artists transitioned from the streets into galleries and the art world.

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