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Franco the Great
"Franco the Great" known as the "Picasso of Harlem" famous artist is internationally known also for his New Art form. Painting on metal gates for storefronts 125th street in Harlem is unofficially known as "Franco's Blvd." (For his contribution to Harlem). His work can be seen in Africa, Japan, France, Central America, Canada, Spain and Brasil. Franco welcomes the world, to his creation on steel gates.
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Reviews:
- "Tourism sector gets boost from US artist (Tanzania) " The Gurdian News Paper
- "Harlem Painter makes Media Magic" New York Amsterdam
News
- "Modern Day Michaelangelo" Harlem Weekly
- "Street Genius." Time Magazine
- "Franco's Blvd." Christened by Channel 4's Real People
- " Adds Beauty and Life to 125th St." A Streetwise New
Yorker
- "An Asset to the Community" El Diario
- "The Picasso of Harlem" The New York Daily News
- "Norman Rockwell of 125th Street" The New York Sunday
Daily News
- "Le Heros de Harlem" La Suisse Newspaper
- "Visionary" Town & Country Magazine
- "Quintessential New Yorker" Town & Country Magazine
- "Un Grand Peinter Americain" Paris Normandi
- "The Gauguin of Gates" American Way Magazine
- "Multi-media Artist" The Port Authority of N.Y. &
N.J.
- "He is the Symbol of New York" Japanese publicist to
Associated Press writer
- "Jack Frost of Harlem" F.W. Woolworth Co.
- "Franco Portrays New York with a Richness of Color" New
York Cronica
- "Whimsical
and Diverse Murals under the Sun" New York Times.
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Franco the Great
For New York street artist
Franco Gaskin,known to his collectors as "Franco the Great,"
his canvas is often one of the many steel security gates ( see
cover art ) that protect the storefronts all along 125 Street
in Harlem. His goal is to paint his way across the area's main
shopping thoroughfare, from "river to river," beautifying
the neighborhood and creating a vast outdoor art gallery. So
far, he has painted over 100 gates.
Mr. Gaskin is known to New Yorkers and out-of-towners, and has
attracted tourists and tour groups to Harlem for years (he is
a regular stop on the Manhattan tour conducted by a number of
European travel agencies). Most of his commission work comes
from Japan, where he has been invited 15 times by gallery owners,
arts councils and department stores.
Also a trained magician, the artist often combines magic and
painting to entertain passersby. To see him in action, it's
best to catch up with him before 8:30 a.m. - ahead of shop
owners arriving to roll up their gates and open for business-
or at end the day when the stores are closed. |
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