Isaac Pelayo’s Urban Symphony: A Phenomenal NYC Debut
Nik, Co-Founder of ARCHIV3 (left) with Isaac Pelayo, artist (right).
People come to New York from all over because there’s always something magical happening in the most unexpected of places. Your favorite rapper might end up sitting next to your table at a local sushi restaurant in midtown. Comedians who have become household names might hop onto an open mic just and create unforgettable experiences. Things that only happen in movies happen every Tuesday. In Isaac Pelayo’s case, that movie started on a Thursday, for his debut NYC art show in partnership with Inked NYC on Thursday, June 6th, at Urban Symphony.
Having cultivated a strong following in his native LA, Pelayo developed a proficiency for creating art that effortlessly blurs lines between classical and commercial. Equal parts formal portraiture and pop culture, his work fuses religious iconography, brand imagery, and humor to create a distinct artistic language that has captured an audience that doesn’t seem to stop growing. This audience includes founder of the influential Griselda Records’ Westside Gunn, who’s collaborations have helped to propel Pelayo increasingly into mainstream view. Among their most notable was Pelayo’s rendition of the Mona Lisa being used as cover art for Westside’s most critically acclaimed album, Pray For Paris, alongside Virgil Abloh’s reworking of Caravaggio’s David with the Head of Goliath. The impact of his work could be felt effortlessly, as almost half the audience at the exhibition came wearing garments featuring Pelayo’s artwork.
While the show featured a curation of many untitled pieces from 2023 to 2024, those that were named help to shape an idea of Pelayo’s relationship with his own art. With pieces such as Pinche Payaso, Blood Ties, and Phil Knight (the latter two have been sold as of this article’s date) themes of heritage, bravado, vulnerability, and family, all within a recognizable visual identity that continues to push its own boundaries. With no signs of slowing down, and preparing to celebrate his 28th birthday the next day in Toronto, it’s clear that Isaac Pelayo’s star is on the rise.
