Mad Vs Cancer Benefit

The MADVSCANCER PGH Benefit is to help out MAD (ESC KD WH NSF crews; co-founder of the INFAMOUS MAG; respected Philadelphia artist; and all-around good dude) to raise funds to help him support himself and his family during his battle with CANCER.

MAD was rushed to the hospital just after the 2012 new year with severe pain and discovered his spleen had ruptured. During the operation to remove his spleen, Stage 4 cancer was found in a few locations in his body.

MAD had no insurance nor workman's compensation, and, accordingly, he is in major financial distress. While his medical bills are astronomical, the immediate need os for financial support for his basic costs of living. MAD has two beautiful children to support, his home and family to care for, and with week-to-week inpatient Chemotherapy, can not work a normal job, even IF his weakness and nausea weren't a factor. SO, he needs HELP.

There are three prongs to our effort to generate support:

ONE - an art auction, where we will need ART donated that can be sold/auctioned with all proceeds going to the charity. The date for this auction is TBD. There will be a Silent Auction held in Philadelphia, and possibly other cities, as we hope to find people willing to help us set that up. There will also be an online portion to the auction, for those who would like to purchase donated art as a donation, but cannot attend the live silent auction. Dates, Times, URLs, and Locations for these events will be updated as they are set.

TWO - we are selling small packs of stickers in a "grab bag" format on this site. There will be printed vinyl stickers, and a mix of some of the best writers in the US and abroad who are donating custom stickers specifically for this cause. Like a public television drive, essentially you will be getting an "incentive gift" for different donation levels. These will be clearly listed as products to purchase on the main page. There is also going to be sketches, a zine, and possibly T-Shirts and some custom "fuck cancer" jewelry for the ladies.

THREE - straight donations. there is a big red DONATE! button on the site here where you can skip the shopping cart and specific amounts and just donate whatever you can afford or manage. This is perfect for smaller donations.

You can help the cause in one (or more) of several ways:

-Donate ART (email madvscancer@gmail.com for details on shipping art)

-Donate STICKERS made by you, your crew that can be added to grab bags

-Donate SKETCHES made by you, your crew that can be added to grab bags

Michael Walsh [Coming Full Circle]

"Coming Full Circle" is an exhibition that takes place on the city block where more than two decades ago Michael Walsh was inspired to become an artist. South Highland Avenue is where he and his friends hung out, rode skateboards, and painted graffiti. Growing up Michael had big dreams of becoming a professional skateboarder; but it was graffiti that would become his passion for the next twenty years. “The first time I remember spray painting graffiti on a wall was in the alleyway behind where The Gallery 4 stands now." Ten years ago Michael found himself on this same corner hired to design and build TimeBomb for his old East End friend Brick. He helped reshape the inside of the store into a futuristic industrial shopping experience. "I keep finding myself revisiting this location and each time it gives me a sense of pride."

A Pittsburgh native from Highland Park, Michael's blue collar work ethic has kept him closer to the street and the true urban art movements rather than the homogeneous commercialization that has diluted American culture at large. Michael feels a deep connection to the men and women who built this city and dreamed of an innovative America. "Metal is Pittsburgh and so am I. It is only natural that an artist from this place carry the torch of it’s identity. I've used metals in particular to create contemporary art because I enjoy combining a strong history with a forward thinking agenda." Michael has worked with metal for over twenty years drawing inspiration from modern architecture, modern sculpture, and of course graffiti.

Over the years Michael has used sculpture and design as his primary artistic outlets. This series of objects is a continuation of a visual dialogue created from the compositional elements and movement of his letter-based graffiti art. He explores the way these forms, in various degrees of deconstruction, create a composition that expresses the essence of the graffiti letter. His intention in these works is to stay true to his original inspiration while expanding their potential through contemporary and modern sculptural influences. Michael uses a broad array of mediums including cast and fabricated metals, high density foam, and epoxy resins. A truly original approach coming from a post-graffiti movement.

To view this show or purchase the sculptures visit The Gallery 4 at 206 South Highland Avenue (412.363.5050).