35 voices on canvas 5POINTZ ARTISTS SHARE THEIR ‘WHITEWASH’ EXPERIENCE THROUGH ARTWORK BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO PHOTOS BY ORESTES GONZALEZ a group of 5Pointz artists have put their emotions and experiences on canvas, reflecting the day they found their graffiti mecca hidden behind white paint. The artists, including 5Pointz curator and CEO Jonathan “Meres One” Cohen, have come together for an exhibition called “Whitewash” at the Jeffrey Leder Gallery, located at 21-37 45th Rd., just one block away from where 5Pointz once existed. The show, which began April 5, features eight 5Pointz artists, who had major pieces on the building before it was covered in white paint, and two photographers, for a total of 58 pieces. Each artwork dives deep into the emotions and experiences each individual faced on November 19, when the owners of the property on Jackson Avenue and Davis Street, the Wolkoff family, ordered the building to be painted white overnight. Gallery owner and 10 year Long Island City resident Jeffrey Leder said that although many people question why he decided to showcase an exhibit featuring aerosol art, he said he wanted the artists to be recognized and to show visitors that their works are considered art. “It surprised me how much I was affected by the whitewash. Every time I took the 7 train, it came up from the tunnel and there it was to your left coming into Queens and it was always a welcoming sight for me,” Leder said. “It was a sad end to an era here in Long Island City and I think the story needed to be told and the best way to tell the story is to create artwork.” Along with Cohen, the other artists included are Auks, Cortes, Jerms, Just One, Shiro, See TF, Topaz, Zimad and photographers Orestes Gonzalez and Hans Van Rittern. Marie-Cecile Flageul, curator of the exhibit and 5Pointz spokeswoman, said they had wanted to do a ‘whitewash’ show and keeping it Long Island City was important. “I think it is extremely impacting for people exiting or coming to the gallery to…see a building that is still standing after four months, 5Pointz spokeswoman Marie Cecile Flageul and gallery owner Jeffrey Leder
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