Leroy Neiman Hand Pulled Serigraph on Paper: "Harlem Streets"
Artist: Leroy Neiman
Title: Harlem Streets
About the Art: 1982
Serigraph
Image size 24" x 42" (60.96 x 106.68 cm)
A limited edition of 500 numbered impressions; 80AP, 12PP, signed by the artist This vivid representation of a Harlem street was originally painted by LeRoy Neiman while in Harlem. His decision to travel "uptown" enabled him to truly experience and capture the essence of the joys and problems experienced by not only the youth of Harlem, but young people throughout this island. "Harlem Streets" is actually a composite of the various neighborhoods and conflicting lifestyles Harlem has come to symbolize today. The right side of this image depicts the kind of blight and devastation so often associated with Harlem. Broken windows, burnt out dwellings and boarded up storefronts are all symbols of the rampant decay which has plagued not only Harlem, but so many other areas. The "hanging out" way of life also shown in this part of the painting is a direct result of the crowded and inhospitable living conditions prevalent in Harlem today. In the foreground, however, is a Harlem youth on his bike looking hopefully across the composition toward a different view which represents the new and regenerated spirit of Harlem. In this scene, children are playing, the school is operating, and new construction looms in the background, pointing up to a better and different way of life. Dominating the scene in the immediate foreground is the symbolic Harlem figure who has undoubtedly seen it all and fully understands both the frustrations and aspirations of this concrete environment. While Neiman was working on the spot in Harlem, using the hood of his car as an easel, a crowd began to gather around the car to view the work. It was at this point that some onlookers began to cheer, "This is where it's at!"
Title: Harlem Streets
About the Art: 1982
Serigraph
Image size 24" x 42" (60.96 x 106.68 cm)
A limited edition of 500 numbered impressions; 80AP, 12PP, signed by the artist This vivid representation of a Harlem street was originally painted by LeRoy Neiman while in Harlem. His decision to travel "uptown" enabled him to truly experience and capture the essence of the joys and problems experienced by not only the youth of Harlem, but young people throughout this island. "Harlem Streets" is actually a composite of the various neighborhoods and conflicting lifestyles Harlem has come to symbolize today. The right side of this image depicts the kind of blight and devastation so often associated with Harlem. Broken windows, burnt out dwellings and boarded up storefronts are all symbols of the rampant decay which has plagued not only Harlem, but so many other areas. The "hanging out" way of life also shown in this part of the painting is a direct result of the crowded and inhospitable living conditions prevalent in Harlem today. In the foreground, however, is a Harlem youth on his bike looking hopefully across the composition toward a different view which represents the new and regenerated spirit of Harlem. In this scene, children are playing, the school is operating, and new construction looms in the background, pointing up to a better and different way of life. Dominating the scene in the immediate foreground is the symbolic Harlem figure who has undoubtedly seen it all and fully understands both the frustrations and aspirations of this concrete environment. While Neiman was working on the spot in Harlem, using the hood of his car as an easel, a crowd began to gather around the car to view the work. It was at this point that some onlookers began to cheer, "This is where it's at!"
