Deer Gallery presents 'Steven Hirsch: BIG and small'

Starting today, the Deer Gallery is presenting "Steven Hirsch: BIG and small," showcasing more than 30 large and small-scale paintings created this year by the longtime East Village resident.

Here's more via the EVG inbox...

Steven Hirsch's artistic journey has undergone a transformation since he moved into his new studio at the former Boys Club of New York, now reimagined as an arts center. His latest works transcend the confines of mere inches, expanding to encompass near meters, offering a captivating exploration of larger canvases that will be unveiled for the first time. 

The opening reception is from 2-5 p.m. today.

The exhibit is up through Dec. 23 at the gallery on the NW corner of Avenue A and 10th Street. After today's opening, hours are Saturday 12-5 p.m. and by appointment. 

Find the gallery's website at this link. 

On 10th and A, Deer Gallery debuts with some 'Crispy Critters'

EVG photo from early 2023 

On Tuesday, we gave you a look inside The Joyce Theater's new arts venue on the NW corner of Avenue A and 10th Street. 

As noted, The Joyce has made available a handful of studios at subsidized rates for dance artists. There are also studios open for local dance companies and businesses to hold rehearsals, auditions classes, workshops ... or other gallery-arts uses. 

And one of these studios is now home to Deer Gallery, whose inaugural exhibit debuts this evening (May 25!) from 6-8 with "Steven Hirsch: Crispy Critters." 

The show features nearly 40 paintings and drawings that Hirsch, a longtime  East Village resident, created from 2020-2023. (We got a sneak preview of some of these here.) 

Per the gallery:

In frenzied images that illustrate dreamlike escapades, coupled with memories of waking hours witnessing the violence and antisocial behavior of our times, Steven Hirsch renders his biography and life's experiences in high color and surreal compositions.

The exhibit is up through July 1. After tonight's opening, hours are Saturday 12-5 p.m. and by appointment. 

Find the gallery's website at this link. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Steven Hirsch's CoronaLand

Steven Hirsch's CoronaLand

["First Responders" 8" x 6" Pencil On Paper]

East Village resident Steven Hirsch is well-known for his courthouse photography as well as documentary work.

During the COVID-19 PAUSE, Hirsch turned his attention to a new medium: drawing.

"I started doing them when the virus started. It seemed like a time to start doing something different considering the world flipped upside down in a week," he told me. "The virus seemed like the only thing that made sense to draw since my work is autobiographical. I try to draw one a day."

He shared a selection of his work... you can find more here.


["Waiting To Get Tested" 8" x 6" Pencil On Paper]


["Masks" 8" x 6" Pencil On Paper]


["PPE" 8" x 6" Pencil On Paper]


["Covid-19 Splat" 8" x 6" Pencil On Paper]


["Lungs" 8" x 6" Acrylic and Pencils On Paper]


["Waiting To Get Tested" 8" x 6" Pencil On Paper]


["Killer Hornets" 8" x 6" Pencil and Acrylics On Paper]


["Trader Joes" 8" x 6" Pencil On Paper]

Man OD's in Tompkins Square Park

From East Village photographer Steven Hirsch... A man OD'd in the Park and was revived by EMTs a little after 9 p.m. ...

Alien nation

East Village-based photographer Steven Hirsch has unveiled a provocative new project. (You might recall his site crustypunks.) With Little Sticky Legs, Hirsch has taken his acclaimed portrait format to document another little-known American subculture — alien abductees.

Hirsch recently traveled to Arizona for The International UFO Conference, where he found his subjects, such as Cynthia (pictured).

Each portrait includes a story of abduction. Per Cynthia: "As far as the abductions. I've had numerous of them where they've shown me around various ships. They've also explained to me about the Hybrids and about the Starseeds that are here on planet Earth, why they're here and how they're here to help humanity."

Facebook discovers LES Jewels' penis

East Village photographer Steven Hirsch has been adding photos to his Facebook Crustypunks page ... he posted the above shot of LES Jewels (in a more suitable-for-work shot above) doing a pants-down pose on St. Mark's Place at Avenue A ... afterwards, he received a notice from Facebook that they're deleting the page. Then! Facebook deleted Hirsch's personal account and the whole Crustypunks project, which had about 100 photos from the past year.

And here's the email from Facebook...

Hello,

You uploaded a photo that violates our Terms of Use, and this photo has been removed. Facebook does not allow photos that attack an individual or group, or that contain nudity, drug use, violence, or other violations of the Terms of Use. These policies are designed to ensure Facebook remains a safe, secure and trusted environment for all users, including the many children who use the site.

The Facebook Team

The photography of Steven Hirsch

When we last checked in with Steven Hirsch, the East Village-based photographer was busy posting photos and essays for his Tompkins Square Park-based Crustypunks site.

These days, Hirsch has been uploading more shots on his photoblog.

Here are a few of them, from the East Village and locations around the city...

He is currently teaching at Pratt Institute. You can find more of his photos here.

[Reposted with permission]