Toofly
May 8th, 2009
Growing up in Corona Queens, NY, a young Toofly could not help but notice the raw street energy of graffiti on her commute to school. Inspired by the calligraphy and illustration skills of ’90s graffiti writers, she aspired to pave the way for urban female artists. At the School of Visual Arts, she enhanced her illustration and design skills, which allowed her to lend unique female images to various print and public art projects. In 2002, Toofly’s public street art began to surface and gain the attention of a growing urban arts community. Her hard & fluid style graced not only the streets, but 60 foot billboards, designer toys, and collaborations with some of today’s most well known graffiti artists as well. Galleries like Deitch Projects, The Showroom Gallery, and the Bronx Museum of Art have displayed her diverse style. Magazines like Juxtapoz and Marie Claire have introduced her work nationwide, and books like Graffiti Women and NYC the Next Stage have helped her gain an international following. Toofly has since launched STAY TRU, an independent company managing an array of art, design, fashion, and community-based urban art projects. Her constant role in the hip hop community allowed her to come together with other like-minded individuals and, in the spring of ’07, she formed YOUNITY, a thriving international female urban arts collective. Staying true to her roots, she continues to inspire and empower women and youth worldwide.
This is one of my favorite graffiti/street art pieces I’ve done abroad (Berlin, DE). It’s a weave of an image and letters that incorporates the hard and fluid style found in much of my work. The location was a concrete wall in an abandoned, destroyed complex full of rubble.
Embedded Within is one of my most recent canvas works. It’s made up of three separate panels, two of which, featuring abstract graffiti letters and marks, are disconnected from the center image of a tantalizing woman. She’s a separate entity, free from possession.
As Co-Founder of Younity Arts, a female urban arts collective based in NYC, it is my responsibility to make sure we are clear about our message and vision. This year we are gearing up for our third exhibition entitled FRESHER, an envriomental and green living arts exhibition set for Fall 2009.
This is one of the illustrations that I feel captures the style and feel of “TOOFLY NYC.”
For spring ’09 I released a new t-shirt featuring one of my classic street tags. The ‘Toofly Street Tag T’ was modeled by my younger sister Joanne Marie, whose rebellious, young, and free attitude lends a unique look to The Natural Collection. I enjoy doing my own product design, photo shoots, and styling. It is the diverse roles I play in my own world that helps keep things fun and dear to me.
Since 2000, I’ve been doing panel discussions and arts workshops at various events and with NYC Public High School that specialize in art, graffiti, design, fashion, and business. Organizations like Arts Connection, Make the Road NY, and Hip Hop Association help arts professionals connect youth to someone they can identify with and aspire to be like. It’s one of the most rewarding work for an artist because giving back to the community helps bridge the gap of opportunity for the next generation. Photo credit: Martha Cooper.
More Info: www.tooflynyc.com