Written on 27 December 2024. Posted in Présentation Artistes
Sonic Rodriguez, is an original pioneer of graffiti art. He started painting on the NYC subways in 1973. During that time, just as Hip Hop was beginning, graffiti was only tags and bubble letters, Sonic, along with other street artists, brought art into graffiti. Creating many styles still used today, Sonic is most known for his 3D folding letters and using characters as letters. Though passionate about spray paint Sonic uses many mediums. Sonic was one of the first to produce air brushed Boriqua themed t-shirts for the Annual NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade. Sonic’s art became politically motivated in the 80’s and was inspired to create the infamous World War III train car, which was featured at theGalerie Bailey Contemporian, Paris, France April- May 2008. Murals are also a big part of Sonics repertoire and he has created many murals dedicated to 9/11, his “God Bless America” mural in Queens, NY was included in the CBS TV tribute.
Sonic’s art has appeared in books and films. "Subway Art"(book by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant 1984),”Subway Art” 25 Anniversary Edition 2009, "WildStyle"(Movie by Charlie Ahearn and Fred Brathwaitev a.k.a Fab 5 Freddy 1982), "Style Wars"(movie by Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant1982) and “Style Wars” Remake 2004, "Beat Street"(movie by Harry Belafonte and David V Picker 1984), "Fresh Hip Hop Don't Stop" (book by Nelson George, Sally Banes, Susan Flinker and Patty Romanowski 1985),"Hip Hop Files"(book by Martha Cooper 2004), Broken Windows (book by James Murray and Karla Murray 2002 ), “Burning New York” (book by James Murray and Karla Murray 2007 ) and “Burners” (by Henry Chalfant) just to name a few.
Featured in Marc Ecko's “Getting Up” video game and the much-publicized NYC event where 20 of the best-known graffiti artists came together to paint subway cars.
As an International artist Sonic has participated and performed in many Art Festivals throughout Europe like, Kosmopolite”( France and Amsterdam), La Braderie D'lart (Roubaix, France) and “Fresh Attitude 2008 (Duinkerke, France), SPLASH FESTIVAL (Chemnitz, Germany)-the biggest open air HIP HOP festival in Europe.
Recently shown at Taxie Gallery- Paris, France, Artcurial- Hotel Dassault, Paris France, Go Gallery (Amsterdam) and currently showing at GalerieBailey Contemporain- September 25 – November 6 2009 ,Paris, France.
Graffiti art work in Galleries and in Auctions in New York, Paris, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
- No Borders Gallery, Hong Kong 2010
- Komunitas Salihara Gallery, Jakarta Indonesia 2010
- Benrimon Contemporary Gallery,Manhattan NY 2010
- PARIS HIP HOP, Paris 2010
- GOGALLERY, Amsterdam 2009
- Galerie Bailly, Paris 2009
- Mc Caig & Welles Gallery, Brooklyn NY 2006
- KOSMOPOLITE Bagnolet France 2003
- Mix'Art Myrys Toulouse France 2002
