SOUP

Growing up, Max Rosen’s goal in life was to be an artist. After attending the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and studying animation at the School of Visual Arts in the 1970s, he had an apprenticeship with acclaimed artist Robert Grossman. But growing discouraged that he’d never make it as an artist, he soon burned his entire portfolio of work and produced no more art for the next four decades.

Then three years ago, in a burst of feverish creativity, Rosen began drawing again. He developed a wide range compelling images, including a unique alphabet called Defective Characters which has true mass appeal.

Rosen never expected to display his art publicly until friends urged him to show it to gallery owners in 2023. He is now represented by two galleries: Picto NY in Brooklyn and The Philippe Labaune Gallery in Chelsea. His work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Graffiti in Miami, and also in many private collections.

All profits will be donated to fund arts education at Achievement First Public Charter Schools, which has been hit hard by the latest round of budget cuts.