2016 Kenny Scharf Bronx, NY Public Art Mural

On my way out to Pennsylvania on Sunday, I made a pitstop to finally see the Kenny Scharf Bronx, NY art wall that decorates the Third Avenue side of Krinos Foods.

I’d seen glimpses of the artwork in passing on dozens of trips across the Cross Bronx Expressway. And during each of them I said to myself I have to get down there and check it out!

Scharf’s iconography is unmistakable. Full of color, movement, and always an air of joyfulness – his pieces exude a good time.

My first awareness of Scharf’s artwork came from a cassette tape I bought in the late 80’s – The B-52’s Bouncing Off the Satellites, which featured his artwork on the cover.

Once you become aware of an artists signature-style, their visual language becomes burned into your memory.

As was the case when I saw the 1996 Fiz N’ Zip Swatch collaboration when I was collecting Swatch watches the mid-2000’s. I had to have this watch. It was a direct link to that cassette cover I looked at a million times when I was a kid. This visual language was one I understood.

And here I am in my mid-40’s now, still following threads that tie me back to that cassette tape. It is a testament to the longevity of Kenny Scharf’s career and his ability to make images that stay with people.

Visit the Krinos Food Mural

Public art seems to be a fickle beast. You never know how long something will remain on display. And as a sad fact of city-life, how long a piece will remain unmarred by tagging. So, time can be of the essence if you want to check something out in its intended form.

Early on Sunday morning was a great time to stop in. With few people around, I was able to park and walk around freely without having to wait for cars or foot traffic to snap some pictures.

If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s worth a stop. Here are a few snaps:

---

Kenny Scharf Bronx, NY Mural

Krinos Foods
1750 Bathgate Ave
Bronx, NY 10457