Klughaus Gallery Brings Graffiti Art to 47 Monroe Street

It’s a block defined more by the cacophonous cocktail of noise than its storefront offerings. Commercial business, the howl of subways overhead, and the Coleman Playground collectively define the immediate area of Monroe Street beneath the Manhattan Bridge. Now, across the street from the popular skate park, more tell-tale elements of gentrification are taking hold.

Just after learning about forthcoming changes to the recently-branded Coleman Oval Skate Park, we bring word of a new art gallery. The Klughaus Gallery at 47 Monroe Street.  This showroom is steeped in the downtown aesthetic of urban graffiti culture.

The current exhibit is “Home for the Holidays,” and features a bevy of street writers including Faust and Katsu.  This installation will be on display through the end of the year, at which point Seattle-based artist Jesse Edwards will take over.  Edwards is definitely no stranger to the Lower East Side.  He’s been known to tag the neighborhood with fire extinguishers, and last year hosted a short-lived showcase of oil paintings and ceramics at the soon-to-open Caffe Vita on Ludlow.

Klughaus also doubles as a service-oriented gallery that local businesses can hire for commissioned aerosol work.  Their client list includes BET, Brooklyn Brewery, McDonald’s, and MTV.