Felix Morelo, a Colombian-American artist, has become a prominent figure in the New York City art scene with his distinctive and engaging street art. Known for his whimsical chalk drawings, Morelo has transformed the sidewalks of NYC into interactive canvases that invite public participation and provoke thought. His work, which includes *Good Luck* and *Bad Luck Spots*, has been featured in multiple media outlets, including The New York Times, where Amelia Nierenberg writes:
“Felix Morelo’s chalk circles give parks, paths, and pavements a burst of spiritual energy.”
Born in the United States, Morelo grew up with deep ties to his Colombian heritage. He moved to New York City at the age of eleven. His passion for art was evident from an early age, and he pursued formal education in the arts, studying painting at Parsons School of Design and drawing at The Art Students League of New York City. Initially, Morelo’s work consisted primarily of chalk-drawn faces scattered throughout the city. However, his artistic journey took a pivotal turn in 2010 when he began to create his now-famous “Good Luck Spots.”
Each spot, marked by a chalk circle, features messages such as “Good Luck Spot,” “Hugging Spot,” “Screaming Spot,” “Laughing Spot,” “High Five Spot,” “Poetry Spot,” “Singing Spot,” “Kissing Spot,” “Jumping Spot,” “Crying Spot,” “Preaching Spot,” “Farting Spot,” “Selfie Spot,” “Enlightenment Spot,” and many, many more. These installations are artistic expressions and social experiments aimed at challenging superstitions, taboos, and everyday routines. His controversial spots like “Racist,” “Suicide,” “Israel and Palestine,” “Genocide and Kidnapping,” “Cursing,” “Fucking,” “Twerking,” “Pooping,” and “Bad Luck” spots have sparked street attacks, death threats, and intense debates among strangers, reflecting the power of his art to incite discussion and reflection. Morelo’s spots can be found in various parks and streets across Manhattan, including Union Square, Washington Square, Madison Square, and Tompkins Square Parks. The intention is to engage passersby, inviting them to interact with the artwork and, by extension, with each other. The interactive element is at the work’s core. The audience is given permission and invited to engage in spontaneous social interactions. The "Good Luck Spots" concept emerged as an evolution of Morelo's earlier work. Encouraged by a fellow artist to provide a conclusive element to his trails of chalk faces, Morelo introduced these spots as whimsical, interactive installations.
Deeply rooted in exploring human psychology and social behavior, Morelo’s chalk circles, often brightly colored and whimsically designed, serve as more than just art; they are tools for social interaction and community building. By drawing people into these spots, Morelo challenges the public to question their own beliefs and engage with their surroundings in new ways. This approach became particularly resonant in the post-pandemic world, where social distancing and isolation have become common themes. Morelo’s spots offer a playful yet poignant reminder of the importance of human connection. In addition to his “SPOTS,” Morelo's portfolio further explores humans’ multifaceted nature through his “CUBES SERIES.” This series, consisting of paintings, drawings, and sculptures, are surreal narratives presented as order, stability, and protection versus self-imposed limitations and restrictions. Within the “CUBE” shape and around it (which symbolizes NYC apartments for the artist), organic and chaotic experiences, feelings, desires, dreams, nightmares, wishes, fantasies, and memories can be played out, explored, and analyzed. A contrast to his street art, which is public and immediate, the “CUBE SERIES” is less well known, private, biographical, introspective, intricate, and detailed, and full of symbols and characters in constant struggle and battles to overcome their limitations and reach enlightenment.
Morelo’s work has been featured at Newfields – Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Raynham Hall Museum of Oyster Bay, New Jersey City University Gallery, Westside Cultural Center in Atlanta, GA, Buck Town Center in Davenport, IA, NYC galleries including Lehman College Gallery, The Blackburn 20/20 Gallery under Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, Howl Happening, AAA Gallery, Time to Be Happy Gallery, and international shows at Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice, Italy, Dianxi Science, Technology Normal University in Lingang, China, and Casa Juan Gallery in Cartagena, Colombia. His work has garnered both local and international attention, emphasizing his cultural and social impact.
The New York City Artist Corps awarded him a grant in 2021, and five commissioned murals reach audiences daily in New York City. He was also the recipient of the Guaranteed Income for Artists Program in 2022. Besides *The New York Times*, Felix has also been featured in *The Huff Post*, *AM New York*, *Untapped New York*, *Univision TV*, *Canal Cartagena TV*, and *NHK World Japan TV*, among others.
Mr. Morelo is currently self-represented but has been formerly affiliated with galleries such as Artist Abbey Gallery in Truth or Consequences in New Mexico, and Mique Gallery in Tokyo, Japan. At this time, he is affiliated with the Time to Be Happy Gallery in New York City, and TENTEN and ROCK RISING, both non-profit artist organizations.
Morelo is also an experimental performance artist, poet, sculptor, printmaker, muralist, and bookmaker who welcomes collaborations with galleries, venues, and fellow artists. He participates in art talks and presentations and welcomes media inquiries. He runs an accessible mini portable storefront at parks, alternative venues, and by appointment, selling painted cardboard, buttons, and sticker versions of his spots. His merchandise, ranging from t-shirts and tote bags to mugs, floor mats, bandanas, and caps, allows fans to incorporate his art into their daily lives. Besides selling his “SPOT” and “CUBE” paintings, drawings, and sculptures, Morelo offers interactive commissioned work for corporations, institutions, and individuals, including “Healing Spots,” “Birthday Spots,” “Engagement Spots,” “Dancing Spots,” “Wedding Spots,” “Yoga Spots,” “Celebration Spots,” and other personal story spots. For those interested in his original artworks, merchandise, or services, Felix Morelo is available through his official channels. He is open to sponsors and donations.
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