es ORO Polymedia Projects will present a showing of works by contemporary painter and legendary graffiti writer Rich “Bama” Admiral on Friday, May 16th, 2008.

The show will include never before seen paintings by the self –proclaimed “Nightcrawler”.  Bama pioneered as a graffiti writer in the Bronx, he began selling his work in New York galleries in 1973.

The exhibit will run for one month, with an artist talk reception on May 25 th, 2008.  This is the third installment of a series of shows by es ORO. The space has already been dubbed the hottest young gallery in the area. es ORO will have works by Bama and other artists available on the website during and after the show dates.

Opening Reception: Friday, May 16th 7:00PM to 10:00PM EST

Afternoon Reception w/Artist Talk Sunday, May 25th 3:00PM  to 5:00 PM EST

Closing Reception Saturday, June 14th 7:00PM to 10:00PM EST

Artist Statement by Rich “BAMA” Admiral
From my beginnings as a graffiti artist in the early 70's, I've been on a quest to find my true inner voice; to try and get beyond the label of just being a "street artist".  Yes I am the second person to sell a painting as a graffiti artist, (Razor Gallery - 1973).  This boxed me into the graffiti art movement, but I was always searching for a more unique take on aerosol art.  I never turned my back on my graffiti past, but I always wanted to do more than paint my name or please the gallery heads.  To express myself from my heart and mind (I am so I paint).  It is what I live for. I love to paint, I need to paint and I love to be different.  With luck people will like the Bama I've become.

Gallery Statement by Eto Oro, Director es ORO Polymedia
Rich "BAMA" Admiral is a Bronx based contemporary expressionist painter and graffiti pioneer.  He began "writing" in the New York subway system in the early 1970's.  He then moved on to showing his work in the gallery system.  Since then his work has been exhibited around the United States, Switzerland and Holland.  In his self-titled solo installation Bama presents a small series of tonal paintings that resemble softened abstractions of Swiss surrealist H. R. Giger's work.  Bama's show will also include a video installation and live DJ set by the artist.