“Mermaid Parade Golden Girl” by Nicole Whelan
There are two things Brooklynites universally love: talking about Brooklyn, and affordable art.
ArtPhotoArt gallery in Bushwick taps into these needs with an exhibit that opened Friday night. “My Muse, Brooklyn” collects photography that was inspired by the borough and created by artists living in it (with the exception of one photog from the Bronx). By Pavel Ezrohi Brooklyn feels like more of a close knit community than Manhattan, which may be the key to why it is so inspiring to artists, says gallery director and curator Patricia Maldonado. Rents may not be as cheap as they once were, but “people tend to have a lot more roommates,” she notes. “When you put all of these creative people together, there’s no way that doesn’t turn into this huge movement.” Henry Almonte, The Virgin The photographs in the show capture some of Brooklyn’s local color, from golden divas at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade to rainbow-striped bodega aisles to grey industrial streets. Most pieces are priced between $50 and $200. Continuing with the art-is-for-everyone theme, the gallery offers a flexible payment plan, with the most affordable option starting at $25 a week. You can also purchase pieces either framed or unframed if you’re looking to cut corners. “Artwork can be so expensive, and as much as artists really want their art to be accessible, it can become inaccessible for a lot of people,” Maldonado says. “We just want people to be able to buy the art that they like.” Check out their gallery for the full selection.
