The Peralta Project

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Gaza, The Peralta Project, Tony Peralta, graffiti, hip hop tees, hip-hop t-shirts, political shirts

Dominican-born artist M. Tony Peralta is the sort of guy whose life might just end up being told in an urban TV documentary one day. He began his ‘creative career’ in Washington Heights as an escape from the prevailing gang culture, a former break-dancer, he quickly turned to graffiti art as a release from the violence and drug infested streets where he grew up. He first hit the headlines after being inspired by a news report about 11 year old kids learning to make home-made bombs by creating the Gaza Strip (Freedom) print, which as it happens is available at his unique site The Peralta Project. His collection of tees, hats, prints, jewellery and paintings are not a collection, or so Peralta says. He doesn’t follow the usual traditions of fashion, harking from a graffiti background and earning his living as an artist/designer. In fact he raised funds for his creative career by giving haircuts to drug dealers on street corners, his life experience enhancing a vision of how life is and how it should be, something rather unique to the t-shirt industry.

His store The Project Shop is cleanly laid out and offers a full background story on each and every design, which makes for an enticing stroll around the site, even if you’re only window shopping. Each tee explores a different aspect of gang culture, or in certain cases such as his Freedom t-shirt, the culture of violence as is so apparent in Gaza. With the recent Israeli attacks on aid ships attempting to break the blockade and bring the people of Gaza vital food and supplies, Peralta’s passion for the underdog are more pertinent than ever. I recently read that Israel were about to allow the import of confectionery which shows just how out of control the embargo has been until now. However, for the main part one can expect a particularly Washington Heights based view of culture, exploring different aspects of the ‘hood’ and how he and others have survived, armed with common knowledge and common sense.

As Peralta would say, take a look at his “art in progress”…

Uptown Livery Cab Service T-Shirt

As Tony so eloquently puts it “It’s a homage to the immigrant livery cab driver from Uptown that is out there night and day chasing the American Dream.” The Uptown Livery Cab Service T-Shirt design is a fictional advertisement for the ‘gypsy’ cab service circa 1920s. Often found in the least affluent and fructious areas of New York, picking up passengers from the street, the riders boarded “at their own risk”, however the drivers risked their lives almost every night, just to get ahead in the world. The t-shirt is available in cranberry, sizes S-XL for $35 here.

Money Makin’ Manhattan $24 Stamp T-Shirt

Again available for $35 in all sizes, the Money Makin’ Manhattan $24 Stamp tee commemorates  the purchase of Manhattan Island by the Dutch West India Company from the Lenape Indians in 1626 for $24. Perhaps the biggest con in all history. The deal took place at Inwood Hill Park, a place to hustle till you drop, make it big, and show the world you have more money than them. Great design, and a fascinating slice of history.

Defend Uptown T-Shirt

This one’s very cool. Designed to bring attention to the fight against the gentrification of Uptown (Harlem,Washington Heights,Inwood.) Killing the culture, and ousting local families, many of whom have lived there for generations. As usual when a problem gets too hot to handle, government will always take the option to shift it onto someone else, somewhere else, rather than try to fix the inequity. The Defend Uptown T-Shirt is available in all sizes for $35 here.

Freedom T-Shirt

As you’d expect I had to include Peralta’s Freedom t-shirt, a variation on the original print/artwork, I really like the guy’s stencil stylings, although I have to admit I much prefer the version featured in his interview with Giant Magazine. Available in black and only medium sizes are left (all others sold out) at $35, you can swipe yours here.

Counter-Culture Fights Back at Assault Shirts

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Ecko, John Staniforth, assault shirts, assaultshirts.com, band t-shirts, human rights, illustrated tees, political shirts, rock t-shirts

If you’re of a nervous disposition turn away now, Assault Shirts take no prisoners. they make no apologies, the revolution will not be televised, it will be illustrated and printed on some of the most astounding counter-culture urban wear to hit the street in years. If you’re ready to bring down “The Man’ and wage war against the dull conformity of modern society, then you have to check out this definitively elaborate illustrated graphic t-shirt collection. Rise up and break the shackles of fashion’s elitist tyranny, turn away from the setting sun of tradition and embrace the revolutionary stylings of Assaultshirts.com.

The future isn’t going to be neat and tidy, we won’t be wearing grey jumpsuits and living under a false sun in a giant glass dome, we won’t be flying through space at warp speed fighting aliens with a barrage of laser cannons – we will be here, under the thumb of our self-appointed lords and masters of the politically and culturally imposed nanny state that is the 21st Century. This is not the time for hesitancy and deliberation, take cover or stand and fight, your senses are about to be assaulted by some of the most fiery and politically charged t-shirts this side of the oncoming social, ecological and cultural Armageddon… get ready to rumble! read more