Cool Hunting

by Tamara Warren

Eric Haze operates at the intersection of art and design, exploring how the application of lines and shapes communicates and influences culture. "New Abstracts and Icons," which opened last week, represents the evolution of the New York artist and designer's work on canvas, in sculptural form and in drawings.

With a meticulous attention to detail and steady hand, the show makes for a precise study of congruence, symmetry and perspective, revealing his particular style. "This show represents a clear window into the process I have dedicated myself to over the last three years," comments Haze, "with a deeper exploration of the minimalist and pop styles that have always informed my work."

An iconic figure who first emerged from 1970s subway graffiti culture, Haze traces his path back to his early fascination with form and shape, balanced with function, to influence and present classical representations with a contemporary approach.

He exhibited his work on canvas along with the key figures in the '80s downtown art scene, including Keith Haring and Jean-Michael Basquiat. At the center of the burgeoning hip-hop culture, Haze gravitated toward graphic design, eventually opening his own studio. His aesthetic sense cultivated a blueprint for the look and feel of urban culture representations, since developing imagery for Public Enemy, EPMD, LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys.

Haze was among the first to launch a streetwear-driven apparel line in 1993. He has since worked with Nike, Casio and Scion on collaborative projects and will release HazexStussy and the HazexPro-Keds sneaker in 2010. He last showed a series of acrylic, ink and charcoal pieces in a solo exhibition in 2008 at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Hong Kong.

See more images after the jump.

New Abstracts and Icons
Through 10 December 2009
Level 2
812 Broadway
New York, New York, 10003 map