Kevin Cyr

If you haven’t heard of Kevin Cyr before, he’s a Brooklyn-based artist that does a bunch of different very interesting stuff but is best known for his paintings of old, beat up, graffiti-covered delivery vans. He got the inspiration while working as a bike messenger, taking photos of delivery vehicles in his neighbourhood then making silkscreened prints onto wood panels he would then paint on top of, based on the photos. There’s something very meta about paintings of graffiti & the whole painting on top of prints concept that appeals to me in a very basic way. Plus, of course, they’re simply great to look at.

In a culture in which people are easily lured by the appeal of status-enhancing symbols, I find beauty in derelict cars and unkempt landscapes. I have always been interested in painting vehicles and scenes that have defined the evolution of the American landscape.
– from the artist’s website

You can read more of what he has to say about his work in this interview from Arrested Motion.

Kevin Cyr – Van Series (click for larger)