Trust Your Struggle

TYS preparing for 2010 Mural Tour

2010-05-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Um, were getting ready to do a mural tour in the Philippine Islands this summer. Heres a taste. Check out www.trustyourstruggle.org in the coming weeks for info on a NYC an Berkeley CA fundraiser for this tour.

-Rob

HUGE HUGE Thanks go out to Loyal Kaspar, Eric Camins, Ebenezer bond from World Up, and Mikey One Soul for helping us get this video thang together. Shout out to Vanessa Nisperos!

Rooftop Legends Opens Saturday 8th!

2010-05-03T06:26:00.001-07:00

This year's RTL (Rooftop Legends) features a ton of artists, from TATS Crew, Wayne, Trust Your Struggle Collective, Rimix, Marthalicia, etc etc so you do not want to miss this! Fundraiser for New Design High School so come support!

RTL
curated by Jesse Pais
May 8th 3pm - 7pm
$5 - 25 donations at the door
New Design High School rooftop
350 Grand st NYC (lower east side)
music supplied by DJ Enuff

La Pena Time Lapsed Video

2010-03-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

El Relevo by Trust Your Struggle Collective at La Peña from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.

The timelapsed video from La Pena. Check it out and please share....
-TYS

La Pena + Ryse Center

2010-03-15T23:11:00.001-07:00

Just got through speaking in front of hella people in Oakland. La Pena has a nation of millions behind them yawl seriously. there was hella people there! The Embodiment Project, Marc Bamuthi, Singer Valerie Troutt, and got to see Yuri Kochiyama again....The mural at La Pena is Done and a time lapsed video of the process is on the way...

Peep the Ryse Center

Ryse is a dynamic youth center located in Richmond, California. Scott La rockwell, Bounce, and myself painted a mural there about four years ago before it opened. Since then it has helped guide, save, and involve hella young people in the transformation of their city. Were going back to paint a new one. Stay tuned....
-Rob
TYSC

Birthdays + TYS Fundraiser

2010-03-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

Birthday Party for the homies Yolanda & Ora

Dress Code: Hybrid Hottie, Future Fly, Spaceship sexy!

Live DJ's
Burlesque and Drag Performances!
Art Auction and Body Painting
Future Survival Pack Prize for Best Costume.

LOCATION: SPUTNIK- 262 Taaffe Place, BK , NY (Btwn Willoughby & Dekalb)
Saturday March 20, 10pm-4am
Door $5

*All proceeds go to support Trust Your Struggle's Mural Tour PI 2010. We elect them as the designers of our future! TYS will be selling limited silk screened posters and original works of art!

Borish Solo Show "Elegy" Opens Fri. March 19th in BK

2010-03-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

Borish of TYS will be having his first solo show in Brooklyn this month, please come out for the opening night. Heres the info:

ELEGY

New Works by Borish (Mincho Vega)

A new series of paintings and illustrations focused on the "mourning poems" of a post 1492 contemporary Brown America .

March 19th - April 20th 2010

OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY MARCH 19TH
7pm - 10pm
w/ DJ Rabbi Darkside
Pupusas + tallboys

@Fresthetic
560 Grand St
Williamsburg Brooklyn 11211

*The artist will be selling limited silk screen posters for a special price of $10 for opening night, so come early!*

Erin Yoshi & Pablo Serrano at Pueblo Nuevo in Berkeley

2010-02-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a sneak peak of the installation...

Memorias de Ti installation at Pueblo Nuevo from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.

Opening reception
Saturday February 6th 2010 7pm -12am
Music Provided by
DJ Angela Blanca with a special performance by Los Rumberos Del Barrio

Artist panel discussion
Thursday February 11th 6:30pm

Memorias de ti, is a collection of works by photographer Pablo Serrano and muralist Erin Yoshi completed in 2009. The collection is part of a much lager project called Memoria Viva, of the Human Rights organization, REINICIAR, in Colombia, S.A.. Memorias de ti tells the story lived by the family members and survivors of the political genocide against the Patriotic Union (Union Patriotica). Since its creation in 1985, the wave of state sponsored violence has claimed more than 5,000 lives of the Patriotic Union. The objective of this collection is to emphasize the power of memory as a tool of resistance and hope.

www.pueblonuevogallery.com
1828 San Pablo Ave #1
510 452 7363

La Peña Mural Unveiling, Berkeley, Califas

2010-02-03T17:17:00.000-08:00

Here is the information for the upcoming mural unveiling for La Peña Cultural Center:

La Peña Cultural Center presents:

TYS New Mural
Sunday February 07, 2010. Lobby Area. Noon - 3pm. Free.
La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley.
510-849-2568 www.lapena.org/event

La Peña kicks off its 35th Anniversary celebration series
with a mural commissioned by the Trust Your Struggle Crew

The community is invited to the Dedication of a new mural by the Trust Your
Struggle collective in the La Peña's Lobby Area. The artists are Erin Yoshioka,
Shaun Turner, Robert Trujillo, Cece Carpio, Miguel Perez, and Ben Rojas.

The Trust Your Struggle artists collective painted a new work of art, a colorful mural
inside the café lobby of La Peña Cultural Center representing part of the history and
legacy of the center. The new mural, celebrates La Peña's 35th Year and this public
unveiling launches the series of events planned to celebrate the anniversary, including
an all-day street festival on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

Pictures and more information:
www.lapena.org/event/

Bullets & Love 3 @ Fresthetic

2010-02-01T15:38:00.000-08:00

For a 3rd year in a row our family over at Fresthetic will be putting on the "Bullets & Love" mannequin show. Every year a group of visual artists design and create/paint mannequin busts which all come out hella dope. Come through to this year's show, trust us, you won't be disappointed. Here's the info:

We are very excited about this year's Bullets & Love show, it plans to be bigger and better than ever!!! We have a really dope roster of artists contributing this year. We also have a very delicious h’ordeuvre selection by our homies at ELOTE.

ELOTE is a very yummy Mexican cantina style restaurant that also has a world collection of Tequila.

BULLETS & LOVE 3
Its 3rd Annual Mannequin ART Show
February 11th – March 9th
Opening reception Thursday, February 11th, 2010
560 Grand St
Brooklyn New York

7-10pm

Music by DJ Trixter

H’ordeuvre selection by ELOTE

Featured Artists:

M.Tony Peralta • Destroy & Rebuild • Sylvia Ortiz • Kevin Champeny • Zees & Ms Mensen • See One • Leo Tecosky • Margauxtron • Josh Diaz • Juan Doe • KA • Marthalicia • Nelson Caban • Rob Fokused • Munish Asnani • Sofia Maldonado • Savior ElMundo • CEKIS • SALO • Made in BKLYN • Bonafide Rojas • Mincho Vega

Red "What is that, Velvet?" Cupcakes and Sangria By E.SOTO

La Peña: In Progress.

2010-01-26T15:58:00.000-08:00

TYS is honored to be painting a mural inside of the well known La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, California. In a state of not being done just yet, it is coming together. Shout out + hug to our folks there, Susie Lundy and Sarah. More to come.

5am working hard painting a mural at historic La Peña in Berkeley

2010-01-25T17:11:00.000-08:00

Oree at La Peña dancing with Trust Your Struggle from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.

Oree with the 5am get down while the Trust Your Struggle crew paints a mural at the historic La Peña in Berkeley California.

TYS New Years Eve-Bay Area

2009-12-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

If youre in the bay and looking for something to do on new years which is affordable, come through and say hello.We'll be chillin, drink in one hand, paint brush or can in the other...

CECE Live Painting at SOB's -DEC 8th

2009-12-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Cece will be painting something special tommorrow night at SOB's in NYC. Come through if you have the time.....

Saturday 21st, BK NY

2009-11-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

Come out and support TYS member Robert Trujillo and Ana Bravo (and a bunch more super dope artists) this coming Saturday in BK. We'd love you see you.

Skylight Gallery @ Restoration Plaza
1368 Fulton St. BK
4-7pm

HOMEMADE Saturday, Nov. 14th Berkeley Califas

2009-11-13T19:47:00.000-08:00

onstage emcee Yosimar Reyes
performances by..
DJ Santero
Mia Zuniga
Diskarte Namin
Bang Data
BRWN BFLO
Los Rakas (special guests)
DJ Leydis

The Great Tortilla Conspiracy will be grilling quesadillas emblazoned with the art of Favianna Rodriguez, as well as Jesus Barraza and Melanie Cervantes.

Slideshow of recent murals painted in Central America by the Trust Your Struggle Collective

4X4.FilmFest 4 digital visions from 4 analog visionaries

$10 advance/students $12 at the door
Doors open at 9pm @ La Peña Cultural Center

Shows (TYS Members getting down)

2009-11-12T22:49:00.000-08:00

BAY AREA:

Ok folks in the Yay Area, come out and support Bounce and Cece, who will be a apart of the Tabi Tabi Po Show Tommorow in San Francisco .The informacion is below:

OPENING RECEPTION: FRI November 13, 2009 7PM-10PM

Show is open until: Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 9:00pm
1000 Howard Street, SF, CA

1:AM gallery presents “Tabi Tabi Po,” an exploration of Filipino Folklore creatures through Urban Contemporary art featuring artists of Filipino descent. The Kapre, Manananggal, Dwende, Tikbalang, and Aswang are just a sampling of these haunting creatures that will be brought to life in this exhibit.

Annd, if you havent been to the Asian Resouce Gallery to Check out Erin Yoshi, you need to get over there because she has work up with long time homies, family, and collaborators Tiffany Eng and Joy Liu. The information is as follows:

Accomplices-
Profiles of Asian Women

TIFFANY ENG. SYLVIA LA. JOY LIU. ERIN YOSHI

October thru November 2009

ASIAN RESOURCE GALLERY
310 Eighth Street/ Harrison
Oakland Chinatown
OPEN M – F, 9AM – 6PM
For more info: Greg 510/ 532-9692

BROOKLYN:

Tres/Rob will also be in a show with the Coup D' etat Crew in Brooklyn on November 21st. Lots of homies in this show, check out Cekis and Ana Bravo!
Come through and see us at any one of these events....

Memoria Viva Process video

2009-10-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

BIG props go to YOSHI and SHAUN BURNER for putting this together. No doubt these two were exhausted when they put together this time lapse, but the result came out pretty fresh!

Bogota Memoria Viva from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.

CECE Carpio & Erin YOSHI in 120z. Prophet!

2009-10-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

Big props goes to Yoshi and Cece for getting the front page shot by Martha Cooper on the 120z. Prophet site. Heres the shot, go to the site to see more. Good work yawl, you deserve it. Thanks to the Younity crew for putting such a beautiful show together. So many talented artists, graf heads, youth, and all around dope community were in attendance last night. Its good to see folk come together like that. Keep it going!
-Rob/Tres
TYS Calamity

Younity Presents FRESHER! This Saturday in NYC

2009-09-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

YOUNITY PRESENTS: FRESHER! AN ECO-ART EXHIBITION Third Annual Exhibit Features 40 Female Avant-Garde Artists Who Recycle & Create Art for the Earth

Back for its third annual show, YOUNITY presents an eco-art exhibition entitled FRESHER!, opening October 3, 2009 at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center in the Lower East Side section of New York City. Running until October 23, 2009, the exhibit is not the average "white-wall" art show; the all-female collective will transform the art space into an eco-funhouse of raw materials and street art. Elements such as graffiti, photography, design and construction are used to connect ideas about consumerism, environmentalism, health, and renewable energy. The private press hour from 6pm-7pm will grant access to notable, oft-unseen artists right before the public unveiling of work at 8pm. FRESHER! features main-stay YOUNITY artists such as Lady Pink, Martha Cooper, and AIKO while introducing emerging artists such as China Morbosa and Amanda Lopez.*

YOUNITY Presents FRESHER!
PRESS HOUR: 7pm-8pm
Opening Reception: 8pm - 11pm
October 3, 2009 - October 24, 2009
Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY 10002
between Rivington Street and Delancey Street
F train to Delancey

*Also showing is Yoshi and Cece from Trust Your Struggle!

SENSOREAL Opening This Saturday, 26th BKLYN

2009-09-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hey peoples, please don't miss out on the Hustlenomic Family getting sensitive with the Avant Yard group for a dope show going down in Brooklyn, Saturday 26th. All happening at 124 Washington Ave, at 5pm.

Music by DJ Brainchild (BK) and Wonway Posibul (Bay Area) and visual arts by: BORISH, YOSHI, and MIGUEL BOUNCE PEREZ (of Trust Your Struggle), Crystal Clarity, Juan Doe, Tony Peralta, and many more. Live silk screening by Mikey 1SOUL & Dylated. Food & drinks.

Invite to Participate: Trust Your Struggle

2009-08-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

This September 11th we, the Trust your Struggle Collective will be presenting The Black Art Show at D-Structure boutique and gallery in San Francisco.

Part of our mission is to reflect the struggles and beauty of our own communities as well as communities around the world. It wouldn't be right to do so without a collaborative effort from YOU, our friends, our family, our comrades, the people we work with and the people we work for.

What we ask of you is to depict what term Trust Your Struggle means to you. Our only constraints are that we ask you to keep your piece

8.5"x11" and only use black and white (with shades of gray if needed).

The piece you submit can be anything from a handwritten definition/sentence/poem of what Trust Your Struggle means to you to a 3D sculpture.

The opening reception with be
September 11th
D-Structure
520 Haight St.
San Francisco CA 94117
8pm-11pm

You will retain all the rights to your creation as well as the full profit if sold.

The piece will be on display from September 11th - October 7th at D-Structure fully credited with your information.

If you choose to participate please fill out this form and mail or deliver with your artwork.

NAME:
AGE:
LOCATION:
OCCUPATION:
FUTURE OCCUPATION:
CONTACT/WEBSITE:
TITLE OF PIECE:
MEDIUM:
PRICE (if applicable):

Please mail or hand deliver your piece no later than September 9th to

D-Structure
520 Haight St.
San Francisco CA 94117
include a self addressed stamped envelope, to return your piece after the exhibit is over or to send you a check if the piece is sold.

If you have any questions please contact us.

San Francisco Goes Black

2009-08-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

Another Bay Area invasion by the Trust Your Struggle Collective, this time going down at D-Structure in Frisco, Califas. Be sure to be there because the rumors of D-Structure's opening nights (which are true!) is that they always bangin'.

DSSF & Trust Your Struggle Collective Presents:

The Black Art Show

Guilty Party:

BORISH
CECE
ERIN YOSHI
MIGUEL PEREZ BOUNCE
ROBERT TRES TRUJILLO
SCOTT LAROCKWELL &
SHAUN BURNER
(and a few extra as always...)

**All visual art will be executed in only black and white**

Audio by:
PELE and WONWAY

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH 2009
D-Structure
520 Haight Street
San Francisco Califas
8pm-11pm

Afterparty at NICKIES
466 Haight Street
12am-2am
w/ Dion Decibels & The Whooligan

Barrancabermeja and Bogota, Colombia

2009-06-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks,

Man things have been busy. Shaun Burner came down to Colombia to participate in the Memoria Viva project and we were cooking. The first city we hit was Barrancabermeja and that region is hot in all aspects. Politically there is a lot of violence that occurs and literally the minute you step out of the plane you are sweating.

We got in and hit the ground running. First we completed a mural at Credhos, a human rights organization. The founders of Credhos have been displaced and their current leaders are on the government list for the paramilitary to assassinate. Even though the folks there knew their life was in danger, they still continue to fight for human rights in their city. Their strength, resilience and dedication was humbling. It touched us to the core.

Credhos was nice enough to house our workshop, so in return we dropped a mural for them in their patio.

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

We conducted the workshop with folks ranging in age from high school to elderly. Their stories were amazing and their losses were enormous. They painted their ideas for the murals and shared with us their experience. From this we created the mural at the Public Library Galvis Galvis which is on the campus of the University of Barrancabermeja. The University was very supportive and let us paint the mural on wood in the auditorium of their main entrance.

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

And on our last night, after the mural was carried over to the Library and installed, we dropped a little mural for fun right next to the office of the administration. We even got some students and administration to paint it with us.

From there, we jumped on a cold bus for a long ride back to Bogota. We enjoyed a week of rest then got right back to it painting a mural for the office of Reiniciar, the law firm that currently has the case against the Colombian Government in the Inter American Human Rights Courts for their participation in the massacre of the Union Patriotica.

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

Then for the next few days we linked up with the artist crew APC to complete a mural at the National University of Bogota. This was a great collaboration and a blessing to be able to paint with Bastardilla, Stinkfish, Aeon, and Zas. Then with the luck of great timing, Skope from Australia landed in Bogota and came through to help it all come together. It was a great collaboration between TYS, APC, and Skope.

The quote and theme of this mural was based upon a quote from Pablo Neruda: They can kill the flowers, but they cannot stop the spring.

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

The videos from these murals are coming shortly. We are waiting to see which version will be released because, we are concerned for the safety of our participants from the workshops. We will either release just the mural version or the version with the workshops included. We are waiting on clearance. So please be patient with us, we just don't want to put anyone in more danger.

Thanks for keeping up with us,

Yoshi
TYS
Colombia

University of Llanos, Meta, Colombia

2009-05-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks,

Man just made it back from Meta a state a little south from Bogota, the capitol. Meta was truly a hustle, I finished my first solo mural in 5 days and worked my butt off. Below are photos of the wall, a new video of the making of the mural, local newspaper coverage, and a little diary entry along the way...Check it out...

Click to watch the Making of the Mural.

Meta University Mural English Version from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.

Click to enlarge: Mural at University of Llanos.

This wall is at the entrance of the University.

_________________________________________________

Day 1
I painted the wall with primer today. Man by the time I got to the top, I could roll two strokes then rest for 10 breaths, then roll two strokes and rest again. I was sweaty and freakin dying. I just got back to the hotel and I can barely close my hands... man I miss the crew

Day 2
Today I battled tropical rainstorms and frying sun. When it rains or gets to hot, I have to carry my large suitcase full of spraypaint and 20 buckets of paint upstairs to the location the University gave me to store my supplies. Who needs a gym when you got gallons of bucket paint.

Day 3
Wow! As I was getting bit by mosquitos today, my new security guard friend said... um you should wear repellent because we have Dengue here. Note to self: ask when you get to a new region if they have Dengue or Malaria there.

Day 4
Kinda have a little food poisoning, man my stomach is trippin. And today I have to spend all day on the top of the scaffolding. Nothing like balancing on one narrow piece of wood 3 stories in the air. I have already derived on exit strategy if this thing falls, but I pretty much summed up that if it falls odds aren't in my favor. My hands are more sore from holding on to the scaffolding than using the spray can. But I am almost done...

Day 5
My usual schedule, get to the school early like 8:30 and power it out until the sun gets so hot I feel my head melting then take a siesta and work though the night. Tonight I finished the mural at 5:00am. Worked through the night. I have no words...
______________________________________________

Anywho, that was me struggling, but thankfully it all came together. When the mural was completed, I dedicated the mural to the Victims of the genocide of the Union Patriotica. The region is so tense right now that the school asked me to change it because they couldn't be seen as having party affiliations. I told them I understood but argued that the UP is no longer a party, so it is not a solicitation for new members. The party was destroyed as over 5,000 of their leading members were assassinated or disappeared in the late 80's. This was a dedication to remember the Genocide.

They couldn't change it themselves because the students and staff supported it and it would look like censorship. So the dedication still rides. I know that this is easier for me to do as a foreigner because it would be more dangerous for a local person to write this message. So I knew, I had to stand my ground. For example, the lawyer representing the school was shot 3 times in the head 8 days before I arrived for being political. This region is tense...

Thanks folks for keeping up with my adventure. Shaun Burner gets here Wednesday as we take off to the next region for some more.

And here is the local newspaper coverage of the mural:

NDHS Rootop Legends 2009

2009-05-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Join us this coming Saturday for New Design High School's opening reception of Rooftop Legends 2009 with dozens of New York's graffiti & mural artists.

Opening Saturday May 16th
3-7PM
NDHS Rooftop
350 Grand Street NY NY 10002

Music provided by DJ Enuff of Hot 97

Suggested donations at door/ all funds benefit NDHS

Fotos from Hoodscrapers Opening

2009-05-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

Check out the photos from our opening, thanks to all the folks who made the trek up there and all the Hip Hop Seasons Folks for holding it down on music and dancing.

Click here if you can't see the slideshow.

Memoria Viva Movies

2009-04-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks,

Dropping the first videos from Colombia.

Check out a little street video of Bounce, Makila and Yoshi.

Street of Cali Colombia from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.

In addition, here is the little video of the project Memoria Viva. Thanks to Mikey, Migs and Pablo for helping Yoshi make her first video.

Univalle Mural - Memoria Viva from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.

This mural is at Univalle, the public University in Cali, Colombia. It is the first in a mural series painted with the theme Memoria Viva. Memoria Viva is a project to remember the people who were displaced, disappeared or assassinated who were apart of a political party called the Unión Patríotica (UP).

This mural was a collaboration between survivors and family members of the violence in the UP, students and Maintenance Personnel at the University (special thanks to James, Camilo, Mauricio and Carlos), and artists: Bounce, Makila, and Yoshi. It is a Trust Your Struggle Production sponsored by Reniciar.org.

History of the UP:

In 1984, the FARC had peace negotiations with the government and out of the negociations a political party was created that represented the people. They emphasized one of the
problems was there was not a political party that represented the progressive left so many people didn't have a voice in the government. So the outcome of the negotiation was the beginning of the political party called the Unión Patríotica , the UP. The FARC agreed to a cease fire in 1985 as a result of this negociation. The party grew very fast over the next few years gaining
political power. They won many mayorships, control of local
municipalities, and the party grew very large in numbers. Many people
remember this as an amazing time, one of hope. Though the idea of the Party came about from the negociation, the UP was started by leftist philosophers, professors, artists, and regular folks who became politicized.

In 1986 because of the fear of growing power of the UP, the government and the military started secret assassinations, disappearances and displacement of the members of the UP. The two of the major military plans were called the "Red Dance" and "Plan Return." The government created paramilitary teams whose jobs were to search out members of the UP to assasinate and disappear them. This effort destroyed the party and by 1987 because of the masacres, the
FARC stopped the cease fire. Over five thousand of its members who were killed or disappeared. Colombia is now the largest country with internal displacement, recently surpassing Sudan. Over 4 million people have been internally displaced. And it is funded by the United States, over $6 billion
have filtered in and over 1000 U.S. personnel are in Colombia... this what the "War on Drugs" has funded...which has actually increased the amount of cocaine coming out of Colombia.

Memoria Viva en Colombia

2009-04-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here is the first installment of the Memoria Viva Mural project Yoshi has been putting together in Colombia. The project will consist of 4 more murals throughout Colombia. For more info on the project check out this trailer Mikey put together.

Yoshi, Dr. Makila & Bounce
The allotted 3 weeks to work on this mural was reduced to about 4days, but with the hard work and persistence of some good friends, we finally got this wall done. Thanks to Makila, James, Camillo, Pablo, Mikey, Octavio, the maintenance staff at Univalle, the bag-o-rum and many more.

First Installment Photos: Ann St. Gallery, Newburgh, NY

2009-04-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

Only to be used on the...

Warming up in Cali Colombia

2009-04-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

Yoshi & Bounce playing with colombian paint

Sketches & Studies for HOODSCRAPERS

2009-04-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

While TYS members Erin Yoshi, Bounce, and Mike are enjoying the warm weather and waterfalls of Cali, Columbia as they prepare to start a mural at a local university, New York members are getting ready for another gallery installation. Here are some sketches for the upcoming HOODSCRAPERS: High Rise & Low Fall show, opening May 2nd.

1 day burner en Cali Colombia

2009-04-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Muro pintado por : Trust your struggle (yoshi+Bounce) de California y Fuzil(Dr.Makila) de Cali. APC.Autopista con 50.Cali. (about 100ft long)

HOODSCRAPERS Preview

2009-04-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

We're working on our new show entitled HOODSCRAPERS: High Rise & Low Fall, opening May 2nd (Saturday) in Newburgh, NY. It's part of a larger event called Hip Hop Seasons, all happening in Newburgh for the second year in a row. More updates and photos as we start working in the gallery.

Heres the festival info:

Event Schedule-

Dinner and a Movie

Thursday April 23RD 7:00PM- 9:00PM

On the Corner of Liberty Street and Broadway (Outdoors)

Newburgh N.Y 12550

Free

Children of the Night Scholarship Concert

Friday April 24TH 7:00PM – 9:00PM

N.F.A High School Auditorium

201 Fullerton Ave, Newburgh, NY

ReadNex Poetry Squad, Saul Williams, John Forte, Rugged & Raw, Alex Schein, Eunice

$5 for N.F.A Students $10 for Public

NOTE: All money will go towards the Children Of The Night scholarship started by Saul Williams. Money will benefit N.F.A Students and Teachers. Tickets are on sale at N.F.A and Newburgh Art Supply 87 Liberty St, Newburgh New York 12550

Drum Circle & Brazilian Capoeira

Saturday April 25TH 12:30PM – Until the energy runs out!!!

Downing Park

Amphitheatre

Carpenter Ave/3rd St.

Newburgh N.Y 12550

BRING YOUR DRUM AND YOUR OWN CHAIR!

Free

Triple Threat

Saturday April 25TH 8:00PM

Beat Battle, DJ Battle, Break Dancers & Freestyle Challenge

Mount Saint Mary College Hudson Hall Auditorium

330 Powell Ave

Newburgh, New York 12550

Free

Where My Ladies At?

All Women’s Hip Hop Panel

Sunday April 26TH 3:00PM

Newburgh Free Library

124 Grand Street

Newburgh, N.Y 12550

Free

Poetry Coffeehouse Black Box Theatre

Wednesday April 29TH 7:00PM

Newburgh Free Academy

201 Fullerton Ave, Newburgh, NY

Free

Hoodscrapers: High Rise & Low Fall (Graffiti Art Opening)

Saturday May 02nd 7:00PM

Ann Street Gallery

104 Ann Street

Free

LOOKING FOR MORE SPONSORS

WE ALSO NEED HELP (VOLUNTEERS)

email at readnex@hotmail.com

New Works by Borish

2009-04-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

To see more of new works by Trust Your Struggle's Borish visit: mincho vega is borish.

Lucha Libre...TYS, Punto EXE, and APC

2009-03-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks,

Yoshi here reaching out from Bogota. This weekend was packed with painting. Saturday was the Lucha Libre event which was hosted in Oaxaca, Medellin, and Bogota. The event telecasted the creation of the murals in all cities simultaneously taking place in the different cities to the theme of Lucha Libre. In Bogota the mural is on a main street where traffic runs Carrera 5 with Calle 20 in downtown. It was a collaboration between TYS, Punto EXE and APC crews. And now we have a Confia en Tu Lucha (Trust Your Struggle) riding on the streets of Bogota...

Check the little video:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stinkfishate/3374166381/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/antenamutante/3378058596/?addedcomment=1#comment72157615694549557

Click to Expand:

(from Left to right: Bastardilla, Saga, Say, Stinkfish, Jako, Zas, Yoshi, Wap, Ark, Gris)

Click to Expand:

Some other photos of the night

The two crews minus the ladies:

Then on Sunday in between little sprinkles of rain, we finished the other mural we started last week. It is placed in between a rich neighborhood and a poor one clearly divided by the paved road and the dirt road. We were there three different days and each time folks walking by would come, watch and hang out. The mural is on part of an apartment building and a demolished building. We invited the guys from Punto. Exe crew (WAP, Jako and Say) to finish the mural with us (Stinkfish, Ark, and I).

Click to Expand:

(left to right: Yoshi, Say, Wap, Stinkfish, Jako, and Ark)

Click to Expand:

Click to Expand:

Click to Expand:

Anywho my project starts next week so off to Cali, Colombia to complete two murals at the public Universities. I am hoping to have some crew mates meet up... We will see, keep your fingers crossed...The adventure continues...

Yoshi

This Friday's Info (NYC)

2009-03-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

EARTHDRIVER ALBUM RELEASE
Friday 13th
7pm - 10pm

Performers: Earthdriver, Mahina, Sabatta, Rough Stars, and TRUST YOUR STRUGGLE COLLECTIVE (live painting)

ARLENE'S GROCERY
95 STANTON ST. BTWN ORCHARD & LUDLOW
F/V TO 2ND AVE.

earthdriver.org

Yoshi: from Santiago to Bogota

2009-03-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks,

I wrapped things up in Santiago. While Nelson and I took off to Valparaiso, Dacot finished up some parts on the mural. Here is the final shot of the mural in Santiago.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO EXPAND:

Sadly I said goodbye to Santiago but happily I made my way to Bogota for my new adventure. I got in, chilled out and explored the city. They have an amazing exhibition of Botero that I had to stop by and check out. The Botero exhibit is from his private collection and he donated it to the city on the contingency that they would keep the exhibit free...

After exploring, I started working immediately on the project proposal. I was seeking sponsorship for painting murals throughout Colombia. I presented in Spanish which was so nerve wrecking for me because mine isn't the best, though it is getting better. I actually cried the night before because I was so nervous that I wasn't going to be able to do it. But I survived and even got my project funded. It is a two part project with Pablo. He is going to shoot photography and video footage and I am going to paint murals. I have committed to 5 murals and I am so excited to start. Our project should begin in about a week or two. I am trying to bring down some friends and crew members to join in on the project, along with local artists from around Colombia.

In Bogota, I made a friend, Stinkfish. He has a crew here made up of like 5 guys and two girls. They are great and paint all over the city. They are working on some really large projects, walls, galleries here in the city. And they invited me to come paint with them. Stinkfish seems as nice as they come. He is super talented and just down to collaborate and build. We have some ideas of collaborations in the works and it has only been a few days. We get along great between his little English and my little Spanish. I am so excited that I have a new friend...

Check out a link to his blog here: http://www.stink.tk/

Stinkfish and I collaborated on a wall, check it out below. It is a fun little project. It was on a wall that he placed a stencil on 2 years before and the owners liked it so much that they repainted the stencil everytime someone would tag near or on it. They were very supportive for us to do something new...

CLICK ON PHOTO TO EXPAND:

This weekend, he got me into a National Hiphop Annual Festival to paint with approximately 30 other artists from around the country and a few international. It is about 1 hour south of Bogota in an area that has graf and murals covering the main highways. The walls are huge and I know it is going to be a great time. It is also my birthday so what more can I ask for... I am super excited...It is totally an honor that he has help introduce me into the scene. I will post some more flicks after this weekends event.

Hope everyone is well...love and hugs,

Yoshi

Live Painting Gig Friday March 13th NYC

2009-03-05T15:17:00.000-08:00

Friday, March 13th TYS (Tres, Cece, Miguel, & Borish) will be doing a live painting performance in NYC. Come out and support.

Borish of TYS @ Berkeley Tech HIgh School

2009-02-23T16:54:00.000-08:00

Last week Borish (Mincho Vega) did a mural at Berkeley Tech High School for their Beats Rhymes & Life after school program.

Photos by Leo Docuyanan

Photo by Borish (sorry for the patchwork. the room was small.)

Thank you Tomas, Wonway, & the staff @ BTech.

Yoshi in Chile

2009-02-19T00:26:00.000-08:00

Hello Folks,

Landed in Santiago, Chile and it has been non stop from the moment I hit the ground. I am being hosted by my friend, Cekis, an amazing painter and by the word on the street one of the most famous graff writers in Chile. You would never know by his humble demeanor, but no doubt he is a beast with paint...

The first wall, I climbed down into a ravine where it is like a painters dream. Huge walls, shade, no one to bother you.... and the river running behind. Climbing down was a challenge because it was like 30 feet down from the street level so even with a super tall ladder one still needed to rope climb down about 10 feet. This was definitely scary for me, but with a little persuasion I made it down this rope with my T-rex arms. It was nothing to the guys..

Below is a photo of the piece Cekis and his crew (Horate, Grin and Rick) did together. They are considered the premier collective in Santiago for graff. There probably isn't a Chile graff book that they aren't in. Graff in Chile really blew up during the 90's... before that folks were writing political messages on the walls but doing Pieces came later. Their murals are impressive not only in size but in precision and detail. This one doesn't reflect their mural collaboration style but was more of a fun and quick piece. The mural isn't finished at this stage. I still need to return to get a final picture...

There are a few things I have learned from being in Santiago. Everyone's characters are animated and their own. Folks are pushing limits with perspective and creating their unique style. In addition, I am getting schooled on mixing cans, stretching paint, and taking the pressure out of the can by holding it upside down for can control and fine lines... I gotta say I got mad respect for folks out here, some do whatever they can to just paint... even if they have a lot or a little materials folks make it happen. Young guys are not only tackling huge walls by themselves, but whole building. All of this has put much into perspective for me.

So here is the first collaboration I was lucky to be a part of in Santiago, Chile. It is in a area called Barrio Bellavista. It is right down the street from the BOMB Gallery. The graff gallery that has over 5 rooms and two stories all dedicated to graffiti.

This is a collaboration between: Cekis (Chile), Cern (NYC), Dacot (Chile), and Yoshi (LA). Hope you enjoy... Tomorrow we take off to Valparaiso... sounds like painters paradise. It is another city an hour and a half away where graf is supported and it is by the beach... I may never leave....

Click to enlarge.
Cekis, Cern, Dacot and Yoshi

Much love to all... I will keep in touch...

Yoshi
Trust Your Struggle Collective

Erin (Yoshi) in Santiago, Chile

2009-02-17T07:02:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gents,
We are proud to say that Yoshi aka Erin is safe and warm in Santiago, Chile where she will be staying for a minute and working with our folks CEKIS. Since she is not the best at keeping up with updates, we will do it for her. This just in from an email. Enjoy and pictures will come soon.

Love and Machetes
TYS Brooklyn

Santiago is amazing. They are doing great stuff around graf here. Man everyone is killing it with their crazy style. It is very unique because everyone has their own style to do a character... most things are very cartoonized but with super skill. So a bug is a super dope animated bug...nothing really realistic that I have seen. Only a few people do it here. And since walls are pretty easy to get people are doing humongous walls by themselves... even young guys...It is pretty impressive.

I didn't realize Cekis, Nelson, is like one of the most famous graf painter's in Chile. That he is known as like the a super dope old skool writer because graf came about in his generation. So he is super respected... It is funny because he is so humble that you would not know. I mean I knew he was super talented but it is just so cool to see the city support for the arts and his crew. They have districts where every building has graf and today we went by a graf gallery that was two stories and each room was covered with pieces from folks from all over. It is called BOMB and it says just covering the entrance for the whole two stories in black and white.

We are going to paint a piece a few doors down from the gallery. It is someone's house but they gave us permission to paint it. The wall is nice...

There are two things that have really impacted the way that I am thinking about my own work. 1) if you hold the can upside down for a few seconds like 20 sec or more.... the pressure is released so it sprays much more in control and smaller. So folks here are using fat caps like skinnies by controlling the pressure in the can.... that was tight... shit they got lines so small they look like the super skinnies made with the top of the can.

2) People hella paint recessed... well it has been the most impressive thing I have seen. People paint hella scenes in scenes by having them push back example... a fake bridge in the horizon and then a scene under the bridge... super detailed... but paint it pretty quick...I have seen other painter's do it but man they are doing it super dope.

Anywho I am well. We start our wall tomorrow. I am pretty nervous. I came home today and sketched out my idea... I actually sketched... I am nervous cause you guys aren't here with me. Who is going to tell me when my proportions are off or that I am using too many colors....who will make fun of my apron... well they probably will... but it is not the same.... Basically I miss you guys and I super thank you guys for teaching me so much...

I will be in touch soon...

E

Calais, France by Pooja P.

2009-01-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. This week I received an email from a good friend in Europe. Pooja does a lot of good work for women's rights and general human rights. She recently visited a camp site of men from around the world trying to get into the UK from France to look for work. Thought we'd share her words and photos. Remember, give thanks.

For those in Struggle,
TYS Collective Brooklyn

Hi everyone.....

I was in Calais, France for a few days this week at the invitation of Nouri who is an Afghan migrant and a survivor of the Schiphol Fire that burnt down a refugee detention center in Holland 3 years ago killing 11 migrants.
He took me there to show the situation of migrants that try to get to the UK from Europe. Mostly of Arab, Eritrean, Sudanese, Afghan and Kurdish descent; these migrants are fleeing a devastated life in the hope for a better one and in the process many end up shredded to pieces or frozen to death!

Calais, France is the port of departure in France where the trucks, cars and buses get on the ferries to cross to Dover, UK. It is also the place where the Euro-rail goes inside the Channel Tunnel. The Channel is a 50 km undersea rail tunnel linking UK to France for those who dont know!! This gives the migrants 2 different ways to get to the UK. Jump on top of the train before it gets inside the tunnel or hide inside or under the trucks which then gets ferried across!! The truck journeys are longer (some last 12-15 hours) and more dangerous but the train is much more harder to get into.

I met a lot of people; all men; living in filthy make shift tents by the port or in plastic tents in the bushes around the highway right before the ferry crossing. Around the highways live mostly Afghan and Kurdish refugees inside bushes and brambles that they call "the jungle". It is strewn with litter; bottles filled with urine, dirty clothes and mudstreaked shoes all over the place.
Nouri had lived in the refugee camp Sangatte in Calais for 9 months; 7 years ago; and tried to cross the border many times. He finally succeded to cross once but the UK police in Dover found him; put him in jail for 6 months in Birmingham and sent him back to France who then sent him back to Holland which is where he had initially applied for asylum.

We used this story to get into the jungle and the ports. The migrants all wanted to know why the hell we were there; and why was i there with a camera!!! They told me they were allergic to journalists because; "first come the journalists and second the police". Twice they told me to put the camera away and later apologised after speaking with Nouri since i was his guest there and it was rude and unhospitable for them to speak to me like that. After they realised i wasnt a journalist they asked me to come back again soon if i wanted..

The camps were divided up into various nationalities and races but they all came together during meal times. 2 times/day a French organisation would bring food by the ports and all the men came out from the jungles to eat. It was quite a sight.
A lot of young people; many were 15-18. We got talking to a young Afghan boy who told us in a non chalant way how he had sat inside a freezer truck that morning for 6 hours. "The oxygen in the truck finished and i was choking", he said "when some freinds opened the door by chance and when they saw me all blue they rushed me to the hospital where i was given electric shock"..."now i am fine again, i will eat, sleep a little and try to find a safer way" he said laughing!!

I was in the jungle sitting around the fire with some Afghans when another young boy walked up. He said something in Pashto and everyone burst out laughing. Someone translated "He just walked 100 kms. Some crazy truck driver told him he would take him to the UK and took him to Belgium instead; so he had to walk back from Belgium". They all cracked up laughing again. The young boy had a packet of biscuit and looked at me; "I am so tired, i am going to sleep. The bastard truck driver must have thought it was funny or something", he said as he waved goodnight!!!

2 Eritrean men i spoke to told me that had walked through Sudan and Libya; got on the ferry to Italy and then proceeded to walk to Calais. They had tried to get to UK 3 times but had gotten caught all 3 times.

Everyone was living outdoors. It was freezing cold and they all huddled by the fire which burnt all day and night. Sleeping in my hotel room at night with the smell of the fire in my hair was a constant reminder of the privilage i had! A warm room!!!
The men were asking me if i knew how to get to the UK. I told them that it was horrible in the UK and maybe they should stay right there in France instead and try to build thier lives slowly but they all said the same thing. "Noone gives us work here in France. Noone wants us here. Atleast in the UK we have a big group of our people; our communities; they help us with work and find a place a live. And none of us speak French."

I met a Palestinian man and an English woman there. They were engaged to be married but since the Palestinian man had no documents, birth certificate, passports etc.. there was no way she could take him to the UK. He had tried 5 times in 2 weeks to get to the UK but got caught all 5 times. As they finished talking to us; they walked away with thier suitcases to try one more time that day. The Palestinian man gave me a packet of tissue as a gift before he walked away!!!! "Our people dont let guests leave without a gift" he said while i was trying to convince him that i didnt need anything!!

I managed to film about 40 mins and take some photos when i thought it was ok..since it was my first time there i couldnt impose with the camera. But the people made me promise that i would come back soon and stay with them in the camp if they were still there. "We have a clean and special tent for you since you are a woman" they told me.

The French government does nothing for the migrants. They had a refugee camp nearby in Sangatte which they closed down about 5 years ago. When the police catch them they just bring them back and let them free in the streets again. There were a total of about 800-1000 refugees in Calais when i was there. All with no clean clothes, no home, no warmth, no money and desparate.

"I know what we do is dangerous,"said a man as he described how he hangs on underneath the trucks for hours,"a lot of people die. But what can we do? We have no choice".

I was there for only 3 days this time. It has been a life changing experience for me. I hope to go back there soon and hopefully record these stories as much as i can.

In Struggle!!
Pooja

HOME GROWN Screening! SF Bay Area! Jan. 3rd.

2009-01-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

Jan. 3rd
San Francisco Preview Screenings of HomeGrown: HipLife In Ghana

Q&A w/ Eli Jacobs Fantauzzi, Director
V.I.P (vision in Progress), HipLife Stars Live from Ghana
Intersection for the Arts, San Francisco
446 Valencia Street, CA 94175
Mantinee @ 3pm Evening @ 8pm
$5-$10 Suggested Donation

To All The Shoe Throwers Out There

2008-12-21T15:40:00.000-08:00

Trust Yout Hustle: Los Angeles Video

2008-11-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

Trust Your Hustle Tour: LA from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.

Slowly but surely we're putting together a video of the work we did on the tour. Here's a taste of what went down in LA.

Estria's 2nd Annual Invitational Graffiti Battle at DeFremery Park

2008-10-23T20:45:00.000-07:00

I was able to dip out of LA for a couple hours to "defend the title" at Estria's 2nd Annual Invitational Graffiti Battle at DeFremery Park aka Little Bobby Hutton in West Oakland. This was a beautiful day in the park. There were live preformances by Mos Def, Goapele, Los Rakas with Dj Leydis and Ill Literacy. There was a Scraper Bike exhibition, a skate park and some green bamboo architecture. I kinda wanted to hang out rather than paint... But it was an honor to paint along side some of these graff legends. Here's the line up.

Estria (Hawaii/Bay Area)
Bounce TYS, defending champion, (Berkeley)
Done TDK (Oakland)
Apex BA (SF)
Pose2/Maxx Moses FX (Philly/San Diego)
Slide TMC (SF)
Max Ehrman/Eon75 (SF)
Pryde VE (Oakland)
Aero (San Diego & Hawaii)
Raven (Chicago)
Chez RSN (East Bay)
Satyr (San Francisco)
Persue (San Diego)
Ceyba CA (SF)
Germs EMT (SF)

Click for more photos by Tim Wagner

Click here for the finished pictures

click for more photos by Leo
I didn't know what the hell I was doing.

click for more photos by Skot LaRockwell.
I thought Pose 2 or Apex should have taken the title, but I can't complain. Its an honor to take the title for the 2nd year in a row.

Festival Internacional de los Nuevos Vientos, Ecatepec, Mexico

2008-10-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

Cece was invited to participate in the Festival Internacional de los Nuevos Vientos in Ecatepec, Mexico.

Nuevos Vientos from Trust Your Struggle on Vimeo.
This video documents a 14-artist delegation to Ecatepec, Mexico. Located near Mexico City, Ecatepec is one of the most densely populated areas in the country. Favianna Rodriguez organized a group of artists activists to take to Mexico and conduct street art campaigns, graffiti murals, workshops, book release events, and solidarity work. Here is a short video by Reed Rickert and Geraldine Lozano, who documented the trip.

Last long leg of the tour

2008-10-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

Shaun and I have been trying to escape from LA but keep getting held back with gigs. Some include a jamaican restaurant, a yoga studio and an hair saloon/afterhouse spot (all on the same block). This is good since the tour has left us broke and in debt.. **the donation button still works ya'll.**

ARMS 3x8 feet wood stain on Wood by Bounce.
Here is a detail of 3x8 feet long piece of stained wood that was commission along with 3 other pieces by this wild make up artist Tanya. Stay tunned for more of this series.

Photos by Miss NenaSoulFly
We've resorted to Kung Fu displays on the street for money and hamburgers. In between high kicks we've been working on a mural on the corner of Pico and Redando at Indulge Cafe. We think its going to be one of our best pieces. The hood seems to agree. Its a "cold piece" according to our new homie on the block, French Fry who used to play with the Delphonics. Our other homeboy Ray Charles who supposedly was an original member of the Gap Band said the piece was "alive" and that it made him cry. Both of whom were pretty drunk.

MARIGOLD by Bounce 4x4 feet. Spray Enamel and mixed media on wood.
This piece will be on display for...
RITUAL DUALITY: A Dance With Death
SATURDAY, November 1, 2008, 6-11p.m. @ the Mexican Cultural Institute at Olvera Street, (El Pueblo Historical Monument) in Downtown Los Angeles. The event will take place in the downstairs gallery located in the Biscailuz Building (right next to the Plaza Methodist Church.)

A free, live musical performance by L.A.'s own BUYEPONGO will bring all to the dance floor as they deliver sweet CUMBIAS to celebrate los muertos!!!

Food and drinks will be provided. *ALL EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC*

Open Thurs. - Sunday

IMIX Bookstore

2008-10-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

In a few weeks we'll be taking down our show at IMIX bookstore. (www.imixbooks.com) Stop by if you're around Eagle Rock. If you haven't heard about the store yet, google the reviews... its basically better than Rosario Dawson.

Here are some pics from the show.

Click for phtotos by Scott LaRockwell.

Click for photos by amayzun.com

The Passing of the Ghetto Scientist

2008-10-03T16:12:00.000-07:00

Today we lost a beloved member of the Algiers Community in New Orleans. Claude Eugene Owens aka "The Ghetto Scientist", who taught GED classes and knew how to create a pseudo plasma shield with a cigarette and a microwave passed away this morning. A true genius who was caught up in the ailments of his community. Keep him in your thoughts.

Ghetto Scientist
by Bounce

Photo by Borish

This passed week, we have been taking down the show at Galería de la Raza. Raquel and Audra now hate us for all the gallons of paint and illegal dumpings of random wood it took to cover our show. Sorry guys.

At lease we left the mission with a memorial for all the youth that have been lost to senseless violence. Bounce with the help of 2hERMANO created this mural on the corner of 24 y Bryant. We strongly encourage you to add to it by pasting pictures, leaving flowers, and burning candles in honor of our loved ones who have passed too soon.

Photo by 2hERMANO

Friends and family from Galería

2008-09-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

Photos by Leo

Photos by Ifit

Pics from Arizona

2008-09-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

This is actually the second mural we started in Flagstaff, the first was started with youth in a community garden on some wood panels. It was hated on by the guy who owned the water and the property nextdoot to the garden. He didn't like the piece calling it "hippie crap" and threatened violence against the planted corn.
Some detail shots of more hippie crap.

It rained almost daily around 2pm in Flagstaff. Not good for painting but good for pictures.

the homie mark who was new to Flagstaff and came through to help.

miguel's favorite caps

Cy Wagner of The Native Movements Artist Collective. He joined the tour and easily adapted to our couch surfing ways. We caught him as he was mocing to San Francisco so he was able to get down with us at the show at Galería de la Raza.

This is the mural Native Movements Collective created with youth from the community. We originally planned to help them out with this mural but didn't get to Arizona in time due to the set back in Atlanta. They didn't need us any way.

Derrick and his wife run the Apple Sauce Cafe in The Flag.

They let people draw on their walls.

They kindly lent us their establishment to sleep while we were painting.

The Homie Eli and Cy.

Leilani, Miguels girlfriend met up with us in Arizona on her way to NY. They snuck off to the Grand Canyon.

A couple more pics from Texas.

Crew shot with Clifford the man that runs the Victory Grill in Texas.

John Farmer of Krammer Films who met up with us in Texas and traveled around filming and partying with us. He made us look professional.

We went painting with Sloke in ATX. We weren't able to get a pic of the whole thing.

GALERIA DE LA RAZA SAN PANCHO

2008-08-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

August 2008

Hey Folks

We made it back to California but we're far from done. This will be the
most sleep deprived week of the Trust Your Hustle Mural tour. If you're in
the Bay, you can't miss this one.

GALERIA DE LA RAZA & KEARNY STREET WORKSHOP & TRUST YOUR STRUGGLE
COLLECTIVE PRESENT

ON THE WALL
Galería Studio24
2857 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Opening Reception:
Thursday, August28th @ 7:30 p.m.
DJs Wonway Posibul & Shred One
Exhibition Dates: August 8th - September26th
Suggested Donation $2

TRUSTYOUR STRUGGLE COLLECTIVE
Borish
Cece
Miguel Bounce Perez
Shaun Turner
Robert TresTrujillo
Erin Yoshi

KEARNY STREET WORKSHOP/VIDEO ARTISTS
Tanuj Chopra
Tze Chun
Amber Field
Pia Infante
Stephanie Yang.

On The Wall is a dynamic exhibition comprised of both Latino and
Asian Pacific Islander emerging artists. Through the mediums of spray paint,
installation and video,the featured artists examine the current issues of
the immigration debate, such as shifting identities, cultural ownership and
community building. On The Wall is the last exhibition of the year-long
series, PICTURING IMMIGRATION,which included exhibitions and public
events examining immigration from a variety of perspectives.

The exhibition will feature a large-scale installation and public billboard
by the Trust Your Struggle collective, a group of visual artists and
educators, based in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. The group
is dedicated to social justice through art and works in conjunction with
several other collectives, producing engaging exhibits and community events.
This presentation at Galería culminates the 2008 Trust Your Hustle Mural
Tour, which started in July in Brooklyn, New York and has traveled until now
through Atlanta, New Orleans, Austin, Flagstaff,Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

For the exhibit at Galería de la Raza,the Trust Your Struggle group will
join forces with multi talented video artists selected by Kearny St.
Workshop, creating a vibrant venue of art, thought, and
cross-cultural community activism.

Kearny Street Workshop’s video artists include: Tanuj Chopra, Tze
Chun,Amber Field, Pia Infante & Stephanie Yang,who thoughtfully explore
questions of identity,race and class relations, and generation gaps in
modern day society where cultures are continually informed by one another.

For more info
www. galeriadelaraza. org
v. 415 826 8009
f.415 826 2345

-TYS Collective

The Flag, AZ

2008-08-17T00:51:00.000-07:00

Here is the finished mural at the Victory Grill en Tejas
Click to enlarge

Whats up people. Sorry for the delayed blog, we've been kinda busy here in Flagstaff, Arizona. When I say kinda, I mean kinda because we've been doing a light load of work.

We got here late last Tuesday from one of the longest drives we've had from Austin Texas to Flagstaff. Texas is like crossing the world, man, hella big. Anyways, so after traveling a good 16 hours or so we met up with the homie Cy that works with several Native groups out here in AZ. His group were already painting a mural on the side of an apartment with some youth from the area. They was putting it down doing some dope stuff. The following 2 days we started a small mural on some plywood sheets with the youth in this garden that they have constructed. Their group works to promote awareness of the environment, culture, and art. They pretty much raised this garden out of an empty lot and now is growing corn, sunflowers, and other herbs while teaching the youth.

Other than that we've also began another mural here on the same apartment complex that Cy's group worked on. The families here, like the others, have showed us super love and hella feeding us. Love to Somana, Gabe, Scott, Brett, Eli, Derek from Applesauce Theater, and Cy.We got rained on early today while we worked so we had to call it. We're hoping we finish so we can be out Monday afternoon to make it to San Diego and LA, then up to the Bay.

Don't forget all the people in the Bay that we're having our opening for our show "On the Wall" at the Galeria de la Raza in SF,Thursday, Aug. 28th. We'll see you there.

Leaving NOLA, Big Texas, and Victory Grill

2008-08-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

Hello people,

Writing you from the Lone Star State known as Texas. We arrived here Thursday morning after driving from New Orleans the moment we finished the mural at the Craige Cultural Center. Check the finished piece.

As for Texas, Austin is pretty chill, with its art scenes, music, etc. We are blessed to have a home to stay in while here with our wonderful host Courtney. 7 mo fo's in your house takes a lot.

Our first piece began last friday at the Historical Victory Grill on E. 11th. The history in this place is crazy rich with Blues singers and musicians. From what we've been told Austin was segregated into two parts by a highway, highway 35. Blacks could not go into the white part of town and when WWII was going on Black soliders would come home and go to the Victory Grill to catch some acts. Now the area around the Grill is getting super gentrified with new rich money coming in and the city wants the Victory Grill to go. So they are basically fighting to keep history, especially Black musical history here in Austin alive.

People have given us nothing but love in the community for doing this piece for the Victory Grill. Residents here have said that this was much needed in the area and it is bringing some good attention to the place.

Eva Lindsay the 61 years young owner of the historic Vicotry Grill in Austin Texas

Victory Grill

Nate

Eva & Charlene

Victory Grill entrance

Joe who runs The Yard Boutique in downtown Austin

Good friend of Victory Grill, Harold

Courtney, our lovely host (along with Martin) in Austin who has opened up her house to us.

The homie Sloke let us get down at his spot.

Borish at Slokes spot.

Shout out to Mark, Joe, Courtney, and Sloke who also made us feel at home. You guys always have a home in the Bay or New York.

New Orleans

2008-08-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

click to enlarge

Mural #2
Craige Cultural Center
Algiers, New Orleans

Craige Cultural Center in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans

This mural depicts some well known leaders alongside local leaders marching on the levy's and crossing the bridge that links New Orleans East and West Bank.

The homie Monk helped us get down

Some of the crew at CCC

Downtown New Orleans from Algiers

Farley Boy

We were honored to have painted at their center, where they are trying to do some amazing things for that community. Thank you Vince, Todd, Farley Boy, and Rondell from YAYA's for making us feel at home and teaching us a little about their city.
Vince
Farley Boy
Claude The Ghetto Scientist

Before we left we got a pretty dope run down of the 9th Ward by Rundell who was a former resident. It is still pretty much the same as it was when the levees broke (or were blown). A lot of homes, schools, and other centers are still gone, destroyed, or just abandoned. It was a well planned operation to get a large population of poor people of color to out of New Orleans. But that's just our opinion or thoughts. We'll let you come to your own conclusion.

Yaya's (Young Aspirations/Young Artists) "Painting It Back" Project in the lower 9th Ward of New Orleans.
We were supposed to help out with the installation of this project but missed it due to our car trouble in ATL.
Luckily we were still able to meet up with them and see this important project they put together.

Mona's Back, the Big Easy, a cop, an americore girl, and a gang of muralists

2008-08-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

Peace friends and fam.

Last Thursday we escaped from Atlanta with our Young Mona, fought through a storm and made it to New Orleans. Not that we don't love Atlanta, but we was getting some serious cabin fever.

Here is the Mural #1 Painted at the Omenal-Griot Museum in Atlanta. (click to enlarge)

Leaving ATL Shaun, Rob, and Miguel do one last piece in Little 5 Points

In New Orleans we're staying with the homegirl Candice who works for Americore here in NOLA organizing volunteers to help rebuild out here. But we're enjoying our stay here, especially cause we got beds to sleep on and a shower.

We started working quickly as we got here trying to hook up murals and contacting our connections. We met up with Vince from the Craige Cultural Center in the Algiers area of the city. This area was not flooded in the storm, but the center, for example was damaged and the city officials would not let Vince and his family back into their homes and the center. If you don't know about the dirty politics or racism that went down with the city/U.S. government and the citizens of New Orleans during and after the storm, you should really do some research.

The Craige Cultural Center (CCC) was created by Vince's father, Dr. Craige, where they would provide classes and workshops to the residents of Algiers. Since the storm they have rebuilt a lot of the center and now provide not just classes, but a computer lab, art classes, dances, performances, and other events. Their goal, as mentioned by Vince, is to help empower and build strong links in the community. We've started a mural inside the center and will be finishing by tonight or tomorrow morning so we can get out of NOLA and make our way to Austin, Texas.

...and to our friend of the law, Greg, you the mentor and dope tour guide. Give love to the family.

Here are some last minute photos from Atlanta...

The homie Amara from the bay cooking a wonderful dinner for us in ATL. Love to you mama.

How Borish do in the South

HotLanta for reals

Borish & Shuan gazing into each other's eyes

Trolly Stop in NOLA

But wait! How can we not have a picture of Phil..

The groundskeeper at Omenala-Griot Museum in Atlanta

ATL Updater

2008-07-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

Peace my people. So we got a lot of things to share with everybody so far with all that has happen on our tour.

Where do we start?? Okay, so in nutshell: we donated a camera to the universe, we lost one member, our van's transmission kicked the bucket, tried to get it fixed but was out of luck with the wrong transmission, we're stinky, hungry, late on getting to New Orleans, and waiting to see this storm pass.

But lets not dwell on the negative cause there is a good amount of good things going on around us. We were blessed by a family that gave us some good, home cooked meals and a shower. No doubt there are some real people in the world that are down to give just to give. Our thanks are eternal to them.

We're done with the mural after a long week and the people here in the community are hyped. We were honored to have donated our skills and time. Thank yous go out to Baba Sola, Baba Sekou, Mr. Williams, and Dr. Narvie and Richard Puls.

As for Young Mona.....

mannnnnn for anyone that has had car troubles, you know all the BS you gotta go through. So our lovable van, Young Mona was riding all good until the other day when her transmission gave out. So what we going do? Well, pray for one thing, and just wait for the transmission shop to fix Mona up. Until then we still have a place to stay and a hose to wash up with :). New Orleans is definitely on the radar, a little later than planned, but we will get there and paint.

But for reals, this area of Atlanta is a trip. From what the people here have told us, this area (West End part of SW Atlanta)was hit by crack a while back and the people here moved out or lost many of their houses. So it is a kind of ghost town here, with hella abandoned houses but at the same time you will still find homeless people here.

To me this makes no sense in this country. It is always a learning experience when we travel, but especially in your "own backyard". There are always people speaking about "there are kids starving in China/Africa/etc" when all we got to do is look a little harder within our own lands. But I am sure we will have more time to write about this as we cross the states.

As for now we're sitting tight, hoping to see Young Mona running again and itching to paint something else here in ATL.

Paz y Lucha

..TYS Collective

ATLANTA Part 1

2008-07-24T22:38:00.000-07:00

Peace yawl, it’s been a whole lot of planning, meetings, phone conferences, fundraising, stress, and high hopes that got us here. Were tired, hungry, stinky, sweet smelling, and ravenous for exchange of ideas and plans. We hope you feel us or support our choice to carry out a nationwide tour of artistic magnificence consisting of large-scale murals, impromptu workshops, and gallery earthquakes.

We hope to do something great, not for recognition or fame but because ART + Culture is in necessary. There have always been people in our families who struggled against isms and the ever-changing steel toe boots against the necks of progressive and revolutionary change. There have always been artists and activists working together to forward our collective thinking so we could move the notch on the turntable of life a lil’ bit further towards freedom.

Obviously, were not the first to gather a group of artists of hella different racial, class, cultural, and political backgrounds together to put down some dope art. We were passed down art, skills, technique, love, anger, awareness, and the ganas (desire) to make some type of sense out if it. And with this tour across the United States of Apathy we are doing our best to inspire future generations so we wont be the last.

Why? Shit, I don’t know? I mean we want to party, cook delicious food, talk, hang out, and raise our children just like anybody else would, but we recognize that a whole lot is wrong. Hella fat cap sprays, brush strokes, and debates need to happened before we can say we truly tried to do something about what’s wrong instead of just talking and meeting, and talking and meeting about it. We not through with that, were just tired of philosophizing about the struggle and romanticizing about change. We want to pay our dues and DO SOMETHING. Its small yes, but aligned with all the other people doing small things with school bus yellow, training for trainers readers, mega phones, and asr 10 beats we can make a big ass impact on our people.

Lets face it; the state of education where we all grew up is a joke. We don’t learn about the roots or the foundations of what we are all facing now. We are fed just enough brainwashing to make us semi-functional workers in society. We begin learning when we want to pick “Open veins of Latin America”, the “Autobiography of Philip Vera Cruz”, Sanyika Shakur’s “Monster”, “Drown”, the speeches of “El Hajj Malik Shabazz”, or “Lies my teacher told me”. There’ a lot of good teachers, parents, organizers, grocery store cashiers, domestica’s, and bloggers out there, They’re like shining stars in a cloudy universe of pollution. They are brave souls attempting to plug a million and one holes in a damn that’s about to spill over with ten fingers and toes. We love all of y’all; you give us inspiration to accurately and fantastically describe the world we’ve seen, the world we see now and the world that we know is possible.

Keep up with the blog as we slow ride across the intersections and dirt roads of NYC, MA, ATL, NOLA, TX, AZ, the BAY, and LA with only a few dollars in our pocket. Look out for our blog, check the links to our previous paid dues, and donate any amount of scrilla (money) you can because um, were not getting sponsored by any businesses. We need that. But more, tell us what you think, honestly. We’d like to know. You’re feedback and comments give us ammunition and motivation to reach beyond the communities in which these walls are located. Come on, we like a good conversation just as much as anyone and were prepared to lay down our lives and put up our tags for this thang called “trust your struggle”.

Someone once said “you can either live on you’re feet or die on your knees”. There’s away to do that even if you got child care payments to make or if you want to save up for some new rims.

-TYS Collective

Here we go....

2008-07-22T13:01:00.001-07:00

To our lovely family....

It has been a long road to this moment, and we gotta thank all of you that have gave us super support to make our mural tour happen. But for reals, we're really just starting with the journey.

This Saturday, the 19th will mark the beginning of our national road tour across the states, painting murals where ever we can. There is no doubt in our minds that we will make it, but we need your help along the way.

So be sure, if you have an extra $20 or $100 or $1000 you could spare hit us up on any of the following links and you could donate online thru PayPal that will directly go to our group fund.

Donate at:

trustyourstruggle.com

myspace.com/trustyourstruggle

myspace.com/trustyourhustle

The Trust Your Hustle Mural Tour will visit the following places on these dates:

July 19th - 25th Atlanta, GA

July 26th - Aug. 2nd New Orleans, LA

Aug 3rd - 8th Austin, TX

Aug 9th - 16th Flagstaff/Phoenix, AZ

Aug 17th - 20th Los Angeles, CA

Aug 21st - 28th San Francisco, CA

Aug 29th - Sept 13th Los Angeles, CA

Dates are subject to change. Please stay updated with the tour and visit our sites.

TYS Collective

Brooklyn NY

www.myspace.com/trustyourhustle
www.trustyourstruggle.com

youtube link to our last show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =8E0yIBroE64

mural from 2006 tour:

Trust Your Hustle 2006-Rough Edit from Trust Your Stuggle on Vimeo.

http://s301.photobucket.com /albums/nn52/nomadictendencies /?action=view&current=usacbig .jpg

**For photos and information on the tour please visit us at our myspace page: trustyourhustle.