Robert Goldman's 1984 Lower East Side Mural Paintings Emerge After 35 Years at Hionas Gallery

From February 17 to March 31, 2018, Hionas Gallery in Crown Heights showcased a remarkable collection of monumental portraits by Robert Goldman, known as Bobby G, which had not been seen for over thirty years. Goldman initiated this series in 1980 after relocating to a basement apartment beneath ABC No Rio on Rivington Street. His artistic journey reached a peak in 1984 with a guerrilla-style mural measuring 50 feet in length and 10 feet in height, painted on the cinder-block wall of a dilapidated tenement at the intersection of Delancey and Suffolk streets, now replaced by a large development. The artworks portray youth from the Lower East Side, embodying what Goldman refers to as their "most powerful inner essence projected out into the world beyond." Despite their age, the pieces exude vitality. The exhibition was accessible only on Saturdays from 12 to 6 pm at 1426 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, offering a rare glimpse into these historically significant works that reflect a pivotal era in New York City's artistic and urban narrative.