Cool Hunting

Meticulous and relentless, Edgartista's four year project, "The New Millennium," began with a sketch on his daily train commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Inspired by the urban landscape, the upshot is a large-scale futuristic drawing that incorporates major landmarks from cities around the world, signifying unification among everyone to create this new life for the future.

Edgartista, whose full name is Edgar Gonzales, moved from his home in Guatemala to New York ten years ago, never dreaming of becoming the artist he is today. After struggling with a two-hour commute to work everyday, Edgar decided to bring along a drawing pad and pen to help pass the time.

He began by sketching Manhattan, but, dissatisfied with the conclusion, Edgar kept on. He added buildings from every country around the world, creating an obsessively detailed vision of an integrated globe. He also refers to his utopian image as the "The New Hope," representing the ideal that one day the world will be a better place.

His massive work was recently included in the exhibition for the launch of Diesel's new fragrance, Only The Brave.

Edgartista's imaginary cityscapes are making a grand impression in the real world, with work not only gracing gallery walls but these days showing up on hats, sneakers and more. Check out the Advarte series included in this year's northern Manhattan Arts Stroll this June 2009 for an up-close look at his intricate work.

Advarte: Drawings in Black, White & Colors
1 June-31 July 2009
Opening Reception: 21 June 2009, 1-4pm
Office of the City Council
711 West 183rd Street
New York, NY 10033 map
tel. +1 212 928 1322