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NYC Street Artist, HEKTAD Taking Over City's Walls

4/18/2017

7 Comments

 
by ​Lazarus Lynch 
Art
"As I strolled through New York's East Village Easter Sunday morning, I discovered a brick wall that immediately drew me in... I looked at the bottom of the wall and for the first time noticed those six letters: HEKTAD."
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As I strolled through New York's East Village Easter Sunday morning, I discovered a brick wall that immediately drew me in. It was unlike any other brick wall I passed by that morning; it was a wall with a message. The message was powerful, yet subtle enough that I almost kept walking. I stopped to take a closer look at the wall. I studied it as though I were standing in front of a classic art piece at the Museum of Modern Art. The wall was covered in beautiful colors that made the shape of a heart. The brightly covered heart was huge covering up the surface of that black wall. 

I decided to take a picture of the wall and share it on my Instagram Stories. I pulled out my iPhone, stepped back, and took the shot. I looked at the bottom of the wall and for the first time noticed those six letters: HEKTAD. I typed the letters into my stories and there it was: @HEKTAD._OFFICIAL. I mentioned him and posted the picture. Hours later, I got a message from HEKTAD saying, "Awesome shot." I quickly responded, "Dope art." HEKTAD sent me an invitation flyer promoting a recent mural at 39 Spring Street. I responding that I would try and stop by -- and I did. 
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When I arrived at 39 Spring Street, I saw a group of people standing around, talking in front of the mural. The front of the building was covered in bursts of paint -- highs of blue, pink, red, green, and yellow, similar to tie dyed tones. At the center of the wall were two doors with a heart painted on it.  Inside the heart were the words, I Choose Love. Inside the building were more paintings from HEKTAD both on the walls and in frames. Each pieces was signed by the artists name, HEKTAD.  ​
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When I finally met HEKTAD, he was leaning against a car outside. He was dressed humbly with a baseball cap, a t-shirt, and jeans with dried paint on them. I congratulated him on his work and asked if I could interview him. He kindly agreed. Here's a snippet from our interview: 

LL: Where does the name HEKTAD come from? 

HEKTAD: HEK is my graffiti name. TAD is the crew I had growing up in the Bronx. TAD stands for Toy's Aint Down. We were artists (a.k.a. vandalis). I stood with the crew. We used to paint on everything. 

LL: When did you start making street art? 

HEKTAD: In 1982. I came back to it. I had children and stopped for a while but I'm friends with Banksy and he told me, "Man, now is the time." I would say he helped me get back to doing street art. 

LL: Where can people find your art? 

HEKTAD: It's all over... I put a piano at the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge a few years ago. My work is at (former) Yaffa Cafe in the East Village, First Street and Houston, West 23rd Street Wall... it's all over. 

LL: What keeps you going as an artist? 

HEKTAD: It's an addiction. I just love it. I love painting, I love sharing my work with people... it's love for the work.

LL: What advice would you give to young artist? 

HEKTAD: Don't think about the money. Do it for the love. Whatever you do -- music, art, cooking -- do it because you love it. People loose it when they think about the money. Think about your craft. Also make a name for yourself. 

Follow HEKTAD on Instagram. 
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7 Comments
BERNADETTE C ABAYA
4/10/2018 10:37:58

My friend just showed me what she bought from you - your artwork ‘with love written all over the board.
I want to know if you have that particular one your website opening - red heart balloon with a man holding the string. I find that one very captivating. If you have it, I would like to see it and hope to buy it. Let me know.

Reply
Ivette link
6/4/2018 10:59:25

Trying to find out HEKTAD's biographical origins before I post something on his street art on Repeating Islands (a blog that focuses on any cultural evens or artifacts by and about people and places related to the Caribbean

Reply
Michael Rivera link
7/19/2021 09:42:26

My name is Mike & Im HEKTAD's 1st Subway Graffiti partner. I wrote & still write: POST 1 TAD OTB KD LA👈🏾 We have alot if history together & i know his moms (r.i.p) his sister, uncles & couzins . If u wanna interview me, I'm available. I got stories for days of our graffiti escapades.. U can ask him about me to verify who i am👍🏽

Reply
Vito Leggio
10/11/2020 19:56:14

HEXTAD Art Work is over the top. His art work shows such a passion. His work draws his audience into his art. Love is all around us!

Reply
https://androidcure.com/overview-latest-remote-work-technology-trends/ link
8/3/2021 07:42:05

All the big cities and authorities are taken or the correct use of the offers. Values of the https://androidcure.com/overview-latest-remote-work-technology-trends/ re dumped for the field. This big city is taken over for the agile sources for the turns and reforms for all people.

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baseemah calamito
9/3/2021 18:37:23

Are you and Banksy beefing or are you guys just love art like me

Reply
brandon link
9/22/2021 22:38:48

another overated artist

Reply



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