Rising to popularity in the 1980s in New York City’s interdisciplinary East Village art scene alongside peers like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat—and with Warhol as a mentor—Kenny Scharf was a pioneer of the street art movement, born out of the dynamic energy of the city, which he translated into a bold, vibrantly colored visual universe. Combining elements of the urban landscape, Pop art, graffiti and cartoon aesthetics, Scharf created a uniquely whimsical world of characters that humorously captures the forces and personalities that animated New York’s streets, often highlighting the distinct voices of its various neighborhoods. Now an upcoming show at the Brant Foundation pays homage to Scharf’s art and style, with a focus on how his artistic journey has been so deeply intertwined with New York’s history and development.

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Co-curated by his longtime supporters Peter M. Brant and Tony Shafrazi in close collaboration with the artist, this major survey brings together more than seventy significant works........

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