Boston Hassle is an incredible volunteer-based institution shining a light on and giving a platform to underground artists across the Boston and New England area. To celebrate 10 years of Boston Hassle we are hosting a benefit concert where part of the fundraising is an artist raffle featuring donated works from our most generous and talented artists all across the Boston area. All proceeds go to Boston Hassle. Let's keep journalism local!
To Enter: 1 piece per ticket entry. Please specify which piece you are entering to win, if multiple entries, separate titles by comma.
*Winners will be contacted directly. *Dimensions of work pending.
This piece is supposed to resemble the bitter sweetness of a summer storm. Summer can be the most beautiful time of the year, but along with that beauty we also seem to go through some of the hardest lessons in the summer. There is a balance in the summer storm.
Artist statement:
From the moment I became conscious I’ve known that I was meant to be an artist. The only thing I need and want you to know about me is the reason I want to be an artist. Generation after generation we go more and more into some psychologically twisted way of living. With my artwork I plan to cause a mandala effect to change the way people think.
Instagram: @wiredglass
“Day Dream” (2020) by Kendelle Cooper
This painting represents when your brain switches into autopilot and you are drifting into a dream like state. This is inspired daydreaming and Freudian theories of the conscious and subconscious mind.
Artist Statement:
I have tried to explore different painting styles and free myself from perfectionism. I constantly daydream and let my mind wonder into fantasy. This painting allowed me to express those feelings while also getting myself out of my comfort zone.
Instagram: @kendelle.c
“The Toe Bean” (2021) by Blue Cat Skateboards
Maple
Product description:
The Toe Bean is a shape that is intended to function with the dexterity of a traditional skateboard shape, while offering a flared out center to allow for the foot room of a larger cruiser.
Artist statement:
Blue Cat Skateboards is a small skateboard company that focuses on high quality, hand shaped boards with hand carved accents.
Instagram: @bluecatskateboards
“Life Has Arrived” (2019) by Salvador Faustino
Acrylic & Oil piece printed on canvas
Product Description:
This is an 18 by 24 print of the original gallery piece that is 36 by 48 inches. It is the introduction, or phase one, of the biographical experience of my own memories. This memory was triggered when I was pushed into an outer space memory bank of my own mind when I ordered food at the Life Alive in Cambridge, MA. (Pre-renovation). It represents my earliest memories of being a small child in the early nineties. It depicts the overall aesthetic of not really speaking any confirmed language yet (multicultural upbringing) and a very poor understanding of gender norms and society. Colors vary with the potential for a dark trauma or a bright understanding of what is to come. There are influences of early childhood cartoons of the 90’s, as well as that outer space educational propaganda that was rolling around on those elementary school tv carts. The angle is low, as I remember distinctly not being able to reach counter tops in these memories. The bugs represent my strange fascination with the ecological process, or as Mufasa would say it, “The Circle of Life”.
Artist Statement:
I am here, and we are here, and you are here. Are we dead? Were we born yet? Is there a difference?
The dance, the ride, the vibe before the storm. Tell me. What happens when it’s over? What happens when you hit any age, and those weeks are up. Those days. Those months? Do you stand in line and order a coffee before moving onto the next dimension? Are you in your mind? Are you in space? Is there a difference? Tell me. Is the part of your mind that is hidden the same as heaven? Are the dim neurons in the back, just the small recollection of god’s voice before you ascended into your body? When you enter the new life, were you already living? What is the new life? Do hands come and part the rivers where you can drink your first sip of water, feel warmth, be pulled. Out of the dirt through the bugs. Riding with your window down to feel your first hint of air. Bones dancing, waiting their turn. Hands of mighty mountains let you float and see the nothing, the space, the warp between worlds. When you get to the end, do you hear music? Do you see man? What is that light? What’s going on? I just wanted some coffee.
Instagram: @sylverfausty
“The World Behind the Eyes”(2021) by Leila Vala
Product Description:
This Artwork represents balance and harmony within. The moon stands for intuition; the shades of green symbolizes healing; the blue and light purple shades reflect balance and compassion.
The cave represents the subconscious, the higher realms of harmony, and right at the entrance you’ll find the duality of the mind represented by the male and female figures. The two figures meditate together in harmony in order to maintain the access to the cave (subconscious), thus keeping the realm of suffering at bay. It is noticeable that the two figures maintain their eyes shut; they are closing their eyes to both ignorance and victimization, that way they together open the eye within in order to see through the veils of illusion.
Notice that the two figures have their own reality, but their minds have emerged with the subconscious.
Artist Statement:
Through my artwork, I welcome the viewers to see reality through my own personal lens. I enjoy trying out various forms of styles and artwork, oftentimes out of recycled materials, to seek forms of expression and to search within. I affirm that by experimenting with art, you can tap into the creator within you more intensely.
Instagram: @valavaleta
“Curtis: There’s No Place Like America Today” (2020) by FromStreet2Canvas
Artwork inspired by the music and experiences growing up in inner city America. Growing up listening to artists like Curtis Mayfield it is ironic to see today’s situation for people of color; this work pays homage to that sentiment.
Artist Statement:
GBFree us a self taught graffiti artist, painter, and clothing designer. Born and raised in the biggest and most diverse neighborhood of Boston, Dorchester, he has a number of influences. His art pulls inspiration from the things experienced in his lifetime ranging from graffiti, hip-hop, soul, jazz, R&B, reggae, konpa, afrobeats, and the everyday inner city experience.
Instagram: @fromstreet2canvas
“Entanglement” (2021) by Alexa Demarco
Product description:
Handblown glass pipe encapsulated in intertwining rose vines. Embodies the delicate balance of relationship, although seemingly sustained, all things must come to end. Even a glass rose must decay.
Artist Statement:
WE ARE A PRODUCT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. OUR ENVIRONMENT IS A PRODUCT OF US.
Instagram: @productofi
“Untitled” by Robyn Thompson Duong
With a passion for playing with color and texture in unexpected ways, Robyn’s work deals with femininity and mystical realism.
I do not allow myself true freedom with a expectation. When i allow it to come to me, I work with everything around me in collaboration. I trust in the divine.
Instagram: @colorbound
“Untitled 23:21” (2021) by Tomo Singh Jr.
Framed magazine collage on paper and cardboard with oil pastel and sharpie
Product description:
I used the eyes of black femme artists I found in multiple magazines and added my freestyle drawings around to fill in empty space. The jewelry included represents wealth and the eyes represent the future. Time is money.
Artist statement:
I’m a young artist and entrepreneur from Dorchester. I make music, clothes, art, etc. I love creating and I’m very hands on with my process. I create to express myself and motivate those around me. Follow me @kobk617 and @clothesbytomo, *SKULLEMOJI* out on all platforms under “Prodbytomo”
“Recycled Sound”(2021) by Janine Bensen
Ukulele/glass beads/acrylic wire
Product description:
Serendipitous up-cycling of a musical instrument stringed with accoutrements of vivid color and texture. Melody is displayed visually in a meditation on the physical act of playing an instrument.
Artist Statement:
Janine Bensen is a well rounded multimedia artist. Lead by serendipity in music creation, painting, design, sculpture, photography, journalism are all inspired by the same source: an optimism that healing is possible on a large scale starting from small acts of catharsis and joy.
Instagram: @janinafina
"Stimulus; Anxiety; Creation"(2021) by Hansen Hundahl
IMG_4596.jpg3.86 MBMulti-media sculpture work Product description/Artist Statement: This work of art aims to create a direct experience for the viewer, based on the conceptualization of my own consciousness experience as a creator. Through grotesque abstraction and unorthodox composition I am able to conceptualize a painfulness present in the creator's process. Ultimately, as we create, we find ourselves in an ongoing duality of suffocation and sacrifice. Suffocation from the stimuli, and sacrifice from the self. It is painful to rise above the anxiety of stimulus and create from beyond the self, but this is the essence of creation; sacrifice. I am ongoing in my progression as an artist and continually explore my own consciousness through the creation of my work. I have no end goal in mind as I create, as I simply work from the flow of my consciousness. My intuition, experience of existence, and creative insight lead me to my most powerful creation. D-4-H-L.
