Walking along in lower Manhattan (yes, that is part of Brooklyn, people) you will notice a smart installation across from Woodward Gallery on Eldridge Street that they like to call their project space. It’s brand new, and it is by LA II, who showed new work at the A MAZE show in November at Factory Fresh.

Colorful Cacophony (LAII) (Image courtesy Woodward Gallery)

LAII is the nickname of an artist named Angel Ortiz, who was an early collaborator of Keith Haring’s, working closely with the artist between 1980 and 1986. Credited by Haring in John Gruen’s Keith Haring: The Authorized Biography with advancing the Pop artist’s creative development, and has been called Haring’s “silent partner. Currently on a tour, LAII is bringing on his style, which added some color since those days.

Keith Haring and LA II (1981) (courtesy Haring.com)

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