2023
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Front Street Walls 2023

Front Street Walls in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood has been an arts and culture staple for the City of Philadelphia since 2016. Biannually in June, Front Street Walls, located on Front Street between Oxford Street and Columbia Avenue, get a well-deserved refresh, allowing new art to inspire the community and new artists the opportunity to use Philadelphia as their canvas. The 2023 installation debuted Philly-based mural artists UNAPXLXGETIQ, Emily White, EL TORO, and Iris Barbee Pendergrass, a diverse group of artists at the beginning of their careers. Front Street Walls 2023 marks the debut of each artist’s first work of public art as a solo lead artist and/or their largest work to date.

Each update of the walls ushers in in new art while honoring the existing art on the walls. The murals appear with legacy murals by Untitled by Ant Carver and Conquer by Amberella with Glossblack. These murals are Philadelphia favorites and will attract visitors to see the new murals, continuing to leave their mark on Philadelphia.

About the artists:

UNAPXLXGETIQ is an Alternative name adopted by Artist & Designer Emmanuel Wisdom. UNAPXLXGETIQ is a conscious creator. He creates to heal, nurture and cultivate a prosperous afro-human mentality. He’s also known for his creative, thoughtful & expressive artworks. He strives to Educate, Elevate, and Inspire progressive conversations throughout his work. In addition to art, He’s worked as a designer for a variety of brands, from commercial projects to small & international businesses. Some notable clients include; Nike, Wrigley’s Gum, Men’s Health, American Greetings, Freeform TV, Reform, and NFL Alumni Association.

Emily White is a painter, muralist, and sculptor. Emily’s work focuses on the relationship between the animal and its changing environment. Her paintings are paired with objects that are distinctly human, illustrating the bond of the animal’s life with our own. She invites audiences to reflect on the consequences of human industry and innovation on our natural world, and our relationship to it. Emily has been painting murals in Philadelphia for over a decade. She has worked with the Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia Flower Show, The Philadelphia International Airport, Blick, Ketel One, and Virgin Voyages to name a few. She’s had her hand in many prominent Philadelphia Mural Arts murals such as “Untitled” by Amy Sherald and Roberto Lugo’s “The Talented Mr. Trotter” on the new Clay Studio. Emily also creates sculpture and paintings for gallery shows and has her second solo feature with Arch Enemy Arts later this year. Originally from the Boston area, Emily has been living in Philly for 11 years. She graduated from Massachusetts College of Art in 2011 with a BFA in sculpture. In 2021, she started White Knuckle Painting LLC and continues to paint murals and signs for businesses in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs.

EL TORO. Justin is an artist born in the Philippines, but is currently residing in Philadelphia. He is known for creating “EL TORO”, an anthropomorphic character inspired by the carabao (a water buffalo native to the Philippines). The character can mostly be seen on stickers stuck on the back of signs and newspaper bins. He learned about exhibiting his art in public for free when he attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia to study graphic design. He believes art should be enjoyed by everyone and it shouldn’t matter what age, race, creed, ethnicity, sex or background you come from.

Iris Barbee Pendergrass was born in the city of Philadelphia, PA. At a young age Iris began to express herself through art. Which later led her to pursue a higher education at Arcadia University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and majored in Graphic Design. Iris has used her passion for art and design to illustrate her feminine side. While finding her voice as an artist, she created the inspirational brand These Pink Lips. These Pink Lips are uplifting and inspiring for women to be sexy, strong, beautiful, and comfortable with their femininity and power!

Learn more about this artwork and many others on the Public Art Archive.
Next Up: Front Street Walls 2025
Next Up: Front Street Walls 2025