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Kenji Hirata
Hirata is probably best known for his contributions as a member of the legendary Barnstormers
collective. With the group, which is headed by David Ellis (Skwerm) and includes Ro Star,
KR, and Espo, Hirata has created large-scale public murals in cities all over the world and
at events like Art Basel-Miami. Hirata's own work combines classic Japanese iconography and
Buddhist teachings and themes with the color and energy of graffiti and street art. His message
is that of optimism and that creativity is essential for a bright future and especially
important in times of overwhelming strife. The works of the Barnstormers have been documented
in a DVD from Gas and in "Scrawl 2", published by Booth-Clibborn.
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2000
Bob Bar Gallery, New York, NY, December
1998
Girdle Factory, Brooklyn, NY, February
Pat-Pong, New York, NY, July
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2003
Halcyon, Brooklyn, NY, July
Lump Gallery, Raleigh, NC, August
2002
Art Basel-Miami, Miami, FL, December
KCDC, Brooklyn, NY, August
Working People, Binghamton, NY, May
Extensions of the Spectacle, Miami, FL, March
2001
Smack Mellon, Brooklyn, NY, September
No Condition is Permanent, Brooklyn, NY, July
Gallier Vorwerkstift, Hamburg, Germany, March
Fish Tank Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, January
2000
Watching Paint Dry, Brooklyn, NY, December
CB's, New York, NY, December
SELECTED PRESS
Mass Appeal, Issue 13
ArtNet, January 2001
Montreal Mirror, December 2001
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