TOOFLY NYC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRAFITERAS

July 18th, 2017 OAKLAND, CA — On Friday August 18th, 6-10pm famed graffiti and street artists Toofly (NYC), and Dime (OAKLAND) team up for GRAFITERAS, a collaborative exhibition, installation, pop-up, and art workshop all in one. GRAFITERAS will be held at EastSide Arts Alliance & Cultural Center, a grassroots organization of third world artists, cultural workers, and community organizers of color.

GRAFITERAS is a multi dimensional exhibition that seeks to connect and build bridges between Raza artists from the east coast and west coast. Both artists exemplify sisterhood, latinidad, graffiti and have served as vital agents of influence for legions of women driven to rise in today’s art world.

Both women were raised in the tumultuous 90s era. Toofly hails from Corona, Queens NY, Dime from Oakland, California. As young graffiti artists they made their mark in a male dominated graffiti scene. The challenges of being immigrant and brown women did not deter their journey of self-discovery. In fact, it influenced the trailblazing art they create today. They were determined with mucho corazon which comes from instinctual feelings of love and community. Through their art, they not only represent themselves but the dreams, ideals and instincts of women, particularly Raza women.

Over the years they have carved out an important artistic space at the intersection of street graffiti, murals, and exhibitions—on their own terms, staying true to their roots and love for community. Eventually, the forces of the universe brought them together as grafiteras.

To be “Latina” or to be “Raza” in America means you celebrate two or more cultures through language, art, cultural traditions, music, and food. As daughters of families who at one point migrated to the states in search of greater opportunity and economic security, both women understand the power of their art in telling the story of immigrant families. In the face of struggle in a country of institutionalized racism, racial profiling, and an anti-immigrant legal systems, Toofly and Dime respond with art that uplifts, engages and promotes the inclusion of their communities. They have faced racism, and discrimination and so have their family members and peers. It is part of their lives and what gives them a thick skin in the face of adversity. This is what makes women strong, what makes them warriors. They are part of a growing generation of people of color who stand up for what they believe in and will weaponize their art to share their truths. Resistance is part of their culture, it’s in their blood.

Today, “Latina Americanas” like Toofly and Dime, are also spreading their craft into the broader society as educators, designers, educators, and community organizers. It has become the path of self determination for women artists who hold the roles of mothers, daughters, sisters, and aspiring professional storytellers. As grafiteras they have a complex story that speaks volumes of the strength and love that is needed to inspire and move society. GRAFITERAS is a powerful initiation to the complexity of what it’s like to grow up in America, and how Raza and many other cultures find a way to stand up, rise, and shine through it all.

Join us! Let’s celebrate women artists today who are the rainbow warriors of the new world.

As part of a 10 day artist residency, Toofly who visits from Ecuador, will host a #TooflyWorkshop on August 19th, 2017 at EastSide Arts Alliance from 12pm-3pm. Limited space. Registration required. Sign-Up: tallertercermundo@gmail.com

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TOOFLY

Maria Castillo known as “TOOFLY” is an international Ecuadorian/NYC artist, curator, and social entrepreneur. Recognized in the early 90’s for her hard and fluid character style, she gained popularity as one of the few females excelling beyond her peers in the male-dominated graffiti scene. Founder of female arts collectives, like; YOUNITY, LADIES LOVE PROJECT, and PROJECT GIRLZ. TOOFLY is a full time artist and runs her own independent art & design company; STAY TRU, where she consults, designs, and develops a variety of arts & culture events, as well as workshops. Her work has exhibited at many venues such as the Bronx Museum of Art, CAC; Contemporary Museum of Ecuador, and can be found on public walls internationally. TOOFLY is featured across media outlets like Graffiti Women, Outdoor Gallery, Juxtapoz, and Latina Magazine.

www.tooflynyc.com

DIME

Leslie Lopez, known as “DIME” is a Xicana Graffiti Writer, Educator, and first generation Mexican-American born and raised in East Oakland. DIME, A lifelong artist carrying on intergenerational traditions of cultural and spiritual resistance in her family began painting graffiti as a young teenager. Through her politicalization within the Xicana Movement and Oakland’s Eastside Arts Alliance she developed into a educator, organizer and public artist for community empowerment, healing, and self determination. Being one of the few women writers of her generation in Oakland, Dime developed a strong bond with the new rising generation of young women and used it as an opportunity to build a sisterhood and mentorship through a course she developed and taught to Middle School and High School young women called SHE’Rose. DIME is part of the EASTSide Arts Alliance Cultural Center. A member of BSK, Bomb Squad Kingz, one of the first graffiti crews in Oakland, Ca. put together by Style, Phresh, and West who were part of the first dozen of original graffers of Oakland to ever put paint on the walls of the city in the early 80’s. She is also part of Few and Far Women since it Originated in Oakland in 2011 it’s a collective of women artist, skaters, and photographers from around the world. DIME has worked collaboratively as part of Xochitlceive Collective and as an apprentice with Jesus Barraza from Dignidad Rebelde. Her collaborations are painted with youth and are seen in walls all around the city and beyond, including in marches and rallies reaching an intergenerational audience. Her work bridges graffiti and fine arts, as a muralist, printmaker, and mentor passing down teachings of her ancestors to all generations. Her passion and goal is to use art not only as a tool for social justice but as a tool for violence prevention, to reach young people, and entire communities and use art and Muralismo to cope, create change and empower.

www.lesliedimelopez.com

EASTSIDE ARTS ALLIANCE ( Gallery )

The EastSide Arts Alliance & Cultural Center presents free youth art classes, cultural programming, public art projects, ongoing gallery exhibitions, community town halls, and the annual Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival. We work with numerous organizations and community groups to present hundreds of events every year.

www.eastsideartsalliance.org

The year is coming to a close, and the best way to do it up is to hit up Miami’s Art Basel! If you can paint, party, and hit the beach you got the Art Basel fun covered. This year the Few & Far Women collective got our shit together a few months before to organize one of the largest all women collaborations we have ever done. It was a huge wall, and the production funds necessary to make it happen where steep. Luckily we made it happen independently thanks to our sponsors, friends, family, and supporters who helped us raise funds through our GoFundMe campaign. Shout out to everyone who helped us get to Basel this year and rock this amazing wall. A total of 17 graffiti and street art women Toofly, Agana, Dime, Meme, Hops, Merlot, Ksera, Kazilla, Jenn Ponci, Ursula X Young, 179 and our guests Mavel, Ms.Kee, Rachel, Silver, and Sour who helped us on the wall. Our theme this year was an underwater electric fantasy inspired seaworld. It was an opportunity where we can enhance the emotion of our characters, and push ourselves to design letters and background imagery to tie it altogether. A challenge but in the end we made it all work. We had everything we needed to take on this big task; scaffolds, latex paint materials, lifts, ladders, spot lights, an array of spray paint sponsored by IRONLAK, a personal photographer/videographer, and DJ Izzy who kept us going all night and turned our wall location into a full blast block party. What a year! It was a sight to see…the production was on point. Everyone put in a lot of effort, especially our team leader Meme.  She is one of the most hands on person I have ever met. She’s the type of gal who will make you a Mojito, climb to fix a scaffold into place, scooter her way around Basel promoting the crew and still make time to paint her piece. All of this on like 2 hours of sleep! I don’t know how she does it, but when you love something that’s what it takes. As a crew we depend on her to get us going, and we trust she finds a way to make it happen. As a crew we have gotten stronger and more confident when she helps us pull it together in the nick of time. I love that <3 THANK YOU MEME!!! –  I am proud of these ladies. Each one did their part. I was happy to see everyone having a good time and doing what they love even if they had to sleep deprive themselves to get their part done. The wall came together in the very end and each of us found a way to enjoy Art Basel Miami this year in our own unique way. We realize Downtown Miami and Wynwood is changing tons, and so are we. Unsure if we will return to go bigger, louder, and stronger…it’s just not about that anymore these days. We are growing as individuals and artists who want to give back something more than just a big wall and a party. The corporate folks are moving in, the graff locals are trying to take back their streets, tourists, greed, and nasty cops are at an all time high affecting and interrupting the creative flow. That’s when you know things might just take a turn in another direction folks. So enjoy it while you can! — Thank you for the continued support <3

DAY 1 – FEW AND FAR WOMEN BEGIN!

This is one of the largest walls the Few and Far crew has ever taken part in…-PROUD OF US!

Agana sketching out her “Warrior Fish” to see how we can tie our characters together…

Thank you for the paint Ironlak!

MOJITOS!!! by MEME

Hommie T stopped by to check out the wall and take flicks with her lovely friend. I fell in love with her neon yellow nails! Especially next to my piece…

FABE and his girls also showed some love and came thru for pics <3

DAY 2 – FINALIZE MY PIECE AND HANG WITH PEEPS!

My #bestfriendforever Evelyn, and her lovely family stopped by to spend the rest of afternoon with me <3 Thanks guys! :::LOVE YOU:::

E will always be one hot tamale! Looking good my friend you are beautiful:)

let’s go eat!

Dinner and strollz with my lovelies! LOVE HARDER, LOVE, LOVE IS A RISK, LOVE LOVE LOVE is what we are all about…#hopelessromantics we are <3

DAY 3 – WYNWOOD STROLLZ and FINAL FLICKS

It finally got to a point where we were able to chill and relax so Dime, Silver, and I connected with Cristina. I met her last year at the wall  she had such good vibes! We took some Wynwood strolls and she invited us to roll with her to the Miami Marina, and the South Beach. We were all for it! Definately needed it to UNBASEL ourselves. – Because this year I personally wasn’t crazy about any of the parties, drinking, or crowds – hanging with Cristina was perfect. She was on the same page, gotta love when that happens…

LOVE IS A RISK DO IT ANYWAY. SO loved this…it was written a million times on a wall…whoa…

More DOPE flicks by Cristina Isabel Rivera coming soon!

Agana X Toofly Collabo

Few and Far Group Shot by Cristina Isabel Rivera ©2014

BANG! – Done. With all that was going on I felt I needed to dedicate this piece to communities around the world who were protesting against police brutality. These are not peaceful days we are living in, Art Basel is a bubble and we were caught up in it. Unaware of what was on TV, radio, or social media. My state of mind these days is peaceful and in tune with nature, and the flow of life, however everywhere around the world it’s chaos. Gotta keep trying to create more love in the world but until then if there’s no justice there will be no peace!

Save the Date! —-> Few & Far Women is gearing up for an all female art print show in Sacramento California next month at Sol Collective. Toofly goodies like stickers packs, totes, sketchbooks and more will also be available. More after the jump off! Type, and Flyer design by yours truly:)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Few and Far is an assemblage of women who beautify the streets.  In a shared commitment to creativity, education and social justice we draw, paint, skateboard and teach all over the globe. Street art is an international, visual language that ever evolves.  A mural is a story and each artist takes her turn in the telling. Using our gifts as totem makers, Few and Far’s reflection of the world is fantastic and distinctly feminine. By engaging our community in our narrative, we seek to foster young imagination, to help the neighborhood’s next generation recognize and channel their creative impulses.  This conversation between artistsand communities is an ongoing, global project to heal and bring together all peoples. 

Women Street Artists: Episode 4  featuring TooFly by Alexandra Henry is up! I had the pleasure of building with Alex in Lima, Peru last year during the “Nosotras Estamos en la Calle” Women Arts festival. The weather was sweet, and we were both finally living the artist life. Traveling, freelancing, and doing what we love. We met up later that year in New York where she rocked the first interview at 5Pointz before the whitewash. It would be the last time the Love Warrior Wall would be shot on film. At the end of 2013 we made sure to meet up at Miami Art Basel for some live painting footage at the Few & Far all women wall collaboration in Wynwood . It was a great time for all the ladies to be in Miami this past December because it women in street art were finally getting some shine! The “Women on the Walls” exhibition at Wynwood Walls was a great example. The art world had finally taken notice of our work, and contribution to graffiti/street art. I’m happy to be part of her latest photo & video project – WOMEN STREET ARTISTS. Thank you Alexandra <3

THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPHIC AND VIDEO EXPLORATION OF WOMEN STREET ARTISTS THAT AIMS TO FOSTER CULTURAL AWARENESS BY LOOKING AT THE LIVES OF TALENTED ARTISTS CURRENTLY CREATING IN CITIES AROUND THE WORLD. THIS DOCUMENTARY INVESTIGATES THEIR ARTISTIC STYLE AND MESSAGING WHILE IT ALSO PEEKS INTO THEIR DAILY LIVES WITHIN THE URBAN LANDSCAPE. AS EACH WOMAN’S STORY IS TOLD, A NARRATIVE TO THE HISTORY OF WOMEN COMING ON TO THE GRAFFITI / URBAN ART SCENE WILL BE ESTABLISHED.

Back from Miami! I have so much to share with ya’ll. But First —-> FEW & FAR @ART BASEL MIAMI 2013!

Big ups to Alexandra Henry and the team of photographers and videographers who came through to shoot the crew process. We had a lot of fun on this wall even after all the mix ups with locking down the right wall. Our Few & Far 2013 Miami wall almost didn’t happen. Fortunately we had a wonderful team this year and we got it together in a matter of weeks. Thank you all for making it happen on all fronts! Few & Far “Warrior Women” is in full effect in Miami folks —> 375 NW 24st between 4th & 5th aves. We dedicate our wall to an amazing human being, and wonderful man who passed away the day we started painting the wall; Nelson Madela <3

“IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL IT’S DONE” – Nelson Mandela 

photography by Alexandra Henry ©2013 

Want to extend a big thank you to Eric the owner of this wall at 375 NW 24st. He has an amazing warehouse. Wish we would have had enough time to build. Thanks for the cold cold beers Eric!  Photo by ©Toofly ©2013

Glad we moved from our original wall location to a much bigger one so we can all fit and re-conceptualize. Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013

Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013

Happy we finally started! Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013

kaz’s Pitt on guard for for our materials <3

Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013

Shout out to Christina Isabela Rivera for helping me rock the halo, heart, and fills on my character and taking some dope fish eye lenz flicks of the crew. Your a lovely woman! Your energy was on point with the crew thank you sOOOooooo much!!!!

Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013

Shout out to all our hommies that stopped by the wall to support <3 Percy, Dj Crykit, Tania Cuevas, Cubannie Links, and DJ Jasmine Solano <3

I was all work and no play the first few days while my buds were out and about the basel events. Luckily we squeezed in some quality time towards the end of our crew trip. LOVE YOU GUYS!!! <3 Thank you for the transport scoops, pool dip fun , beach chillax, and quesadillas!

DAY 2 let’s get to work!

Photo by Jaime Gonzales ©2013 spaced out catching a black book and lost my cell! ahhhhh!

Photo by Martha Cooper ©2013 Thank you Martha for always supporting the ladies since day 1!

Photo by ©Agana 2013

Photo by Christina Isabela Rivera ©2013

STRONG WOMEN. SISTERHOOD. WARRIOR WOMEN. LOVE. FREEDOM. Each of us found a way to connect our works and collaborate on things we believe in and spread our messages in a collective voice <3

DJ Agana (SF) Photo by Christina Isabela Rivera ©2013 – so much love for DJ Agana! Such a beautiful person. Always there for the crew extending her efforts in all areas. Love ya girl!

Ursula X Young (SF) Photo by Christina Isabela Rivera ©2013 – Great meeting Ursula X Young at last. Her brush work and characters are  lovely! Hippies 4Ever <3

Few & Far welcomes Kazilla to the Few & far team. Thanks for all your hard work lady! Your super FUN!!! good times. Photo by Dj Gana ©2013

Photo by Agana ©2013

Deity (LA) Photo by Christina Isabela Rivera ©2013 – Shout out to Deity for coming thru for the crew on the transport and crew love on this trip. First time rock’n with the Few & Far ladies. Great job sistah. Chicana’s Rock!

Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013 Follow the entire team! —> www.fewandfarwomen.com

Shout out to IRONLAK for sponsoring the Few & Far wall this year. THANK YOU!

Kazilla ( MIA) Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013

Big ups to Kazilla for locking down a beautiful wall for the Few & Far ladies to rock. Thank you Kaz!!!

Few & Far Art Basel miami, 2013 – Photo by ©Toofly ©2013

Few & Far Art Basel Miami 2013. Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013

TOOFLY X AGANA collabo…

Photo by Alexandra Henry ©2013

XOXO MIAMI! Till next time <3 

Hellllllllla photos to post from Oakland trip. I had a really nice time. It was mellow with lot’s of action in between. I want to send a warm thank you to Favianna for hosting me, feeding me, and locking in me on all this wonderful projects along with Erin Yoshi and Julio. I got to meet some wonderful souls like Chris R who’s work is super amazing and who’s healthy organic breakfast with a side of yogi chats put me in a total different mindset. I am inspired by all the wonderful minds in this town and the weather is a super +! I shall be back…

The fun continued with an invitation to Estria Graffiti Jam at the Castlemont High School on Sunday. Many of the Few & Far gals were in town so we we locked down a corner at the school and painted for a few hours. The wall was a sandy orange color which worked lovely with our left over can scraps.

Mike Bam and the little artist cruising crew!

Toofly. Dime, and Agana got to wall early so we decided to rock a 3X collabo. Went a graphic route because we only had 5 hours to complete. Came out pretty dope!

#LATINSOULSISTERS Photo by Miguel “Bounce”

TOOFLY OAKLAND CA 2013 baby!

Round 2 for Toofly and Dime!  First time we rocked together was in Oakland back in….2011? time flies…

Erin Yoshi having some fun under the sun:)

Chri R got a chance to paint and add his mandala native feathers piece on Erin and Glows character. So beautiful! Miiiiiiisssssssss you my brother from anotha!

Blackbook sessions…

Few & Far gals re-united for a day in East Oakland, California. Agana, Meme, Glow, Dime, Erin Yoshi, and TF

I got a lot done in one week! Fall season is definitely one of the busiest times of the year. Enjoying moments to sketch and reflect are just as important as the work if not more. This is where all the ideas develop, and where all understanding reflects back to show you if you are following your purpose and doing the “good” work. My soul has known which way to sail and who to sail with for a while now. Intuition the almighty compass! IT KNOWS. It will guide you, and it will warn you. I am thankful to work with some amazing friends these days who are vibrating in the right direction. Little by little I am meeting more and more of you “warriors of love” and it feels great! Thank you my friends <3