Artwork Description
Man on Wire NYC World Trade Center Silkscreen Print by Justin Van Genderen Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Screenprint Artwork.
2013 Signed & Numbered on Back Limited Edition of 50 Artwork Size 18x24 Location, Location, Location Series Silkscreen Print New York City World Trade Center with Tight Rope Walker
NYC World Trade Center Silkscreen Print by Justin Van Genderen
NYC World Trade Center Silkscreen Print by Justin Van Genderen is a 2013 hand-pulled screenprint that captures a striking moment in history through the lens of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. Measuring 18x24 inches and produced in a limited edition of 50, this signed and numbered print presents the World Trade Center from a surreal, almost dreamlike perspective. The composition draws attention to the architectural presence of the Twin Towers while highlighting the legendary tightrope walk that took place in 1974, blending history, urban culture, and artistic abstraction into a single breathtaking image.
The Power of Composition and Perspective
This silkscreen print uses perspective in a way that immediately immerses the viewer. The World Trade Center towers rise at an angle, pulling the eye upward toward the sky where a large white circle looms like a full moon. The gradient sky shifts from turquoise to white, creating a cosmic atmosphere that amplifies the feeling of height and space. Birds fly freely around the towers, adding movement and reinforcing the feeling of openness despite the massive structures dominating the scene. At the center of the composition, the famous 1974 tightrope walk performed by Philippe Petit is subtly depicted. A thin, almost invisible line stretches between the towers, with the silhouette of a figure walking across. This delicate yet daring moment contrasts with the enormity of the buildings, creating a visual and emotional tension that captures both awe and fragility. The print pays tribute to the act of defying gravity, an idea that resonates deeply with both the history of New York City and the artistic culture of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork.
Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork Influence
Justin Van Genderen’s work carries strong elements of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, blending bold graphic techniques with urban storytelling. The stylized halftone shading on the towers gives them a textured, print-like quality, reminiscent of old newspaper photographs or comic book panels. The limited color palette—dominated by shades of blue, white, and black—enhances the print’s clean, modern aesthetic while maintaining a raw, urban energy. The composition feels cinematic, almost as if the viewer is looking up from the streets of Manhattan, capturing both the grandeur and the intimacy of the moment. Many street artists incorporate architectural landmarks into their work, but Van Genderen’s approach strips the scene down to its essential elements, making it feel timeless and universal. The use of high-contrast shading and simplified forms aligns with the stencil techniques used in graffiti, while the screenprinted medium itself is a hallmark of pop and street-inspired artwork. The combination of precision, abstraction, and minimalism makes this piece a striking example of how urban spaces can be reinterpreted through contemporary visual language.
The Lasting Impact of the Image
The NYC World Trade Center Silkscreen Print by Justin Van Genderen does more than capture a historical event; it transforms it into a symbol of artistic expression, human ambition, and the way cities shape cultural memory. The Twin Towers remain an enduring icon in New York’s skyline, and their representation in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork continues to evolve as artists find new ways to pay tribute to their legacy. The tightrope walker’s inclusion in this piece serves as a metaphor for balance, risk, and the beauty of movement within the rigid lines of architecture. Collectors of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork will find this print to be a unique and compelling addition to any collection. As a limited-edition hand-pulled silkscreen, it holds a level of craftsmanship that reflects the tactile, authentic nature of street-inspired art. Whether appreciated for its historical significance, its bold design, or its thought-provoking imagery, this print stands as a testament to the ways in which art can transform the past into something visually powerful and deeply moving.
