NEW YORK – Turhan Gumersere is the warden at Rikers Island, and a respected graffiti artist. As Trike 1 aka LP 36 aka Turk 1, his bubble letter tags and careful, colorful recreations of cartoon characters like Felix the Cat and Mickey Mouse brightened subway train walls from his first tag on the IRT line in 1972. He created these intricate pieces without formal training and climbed fences and ran through tunnels with the strength and stamina of a skilled basketball player to protect his turf from other aspiring writers, who were warned not to enter without his or his crew’s permission. Based on the skill involved in his work, I think competitors were wise to tread carefully.
The two worlds collided OM June at the Horticultural Society’s annual Block Party and Silent Auction to benefit GreenHouse, a Horticultural Society program that works with inmates on Rikers Island, using horticultural therapy as a tool to prepare for reentry, and gardening skills as a source of employment to reduce recidivism. Graduates can join the Green Team, a vocational internship program, following release.
Gumersere was one of several street artists participating in the silent auction. KAWS, Barry McGee aka Twist, Shepherd Fairey, Dondi White, and Todd James garnered some of the highest bids of the night. Another Reading the Streets subject, Steve Powers, aka ESPO also donated a piece.
It was a good year for both the Horticultural Society and Gummersere. This was the most successful auction yet, and Gummersere was appointed last month to head the 2,298 bed Anna M. Kross Center at GreenHouse.
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