On Jan. 22 a new art exhibit entered the Brother Kenneth Chapman Gallery at Iona. Featuring the art of Ryan Seslow and Borbay, the exhibit called “Street Legal” features street art, or graffiti, which is one of the rising art forms in the world.

Street art recently gained acknowledgement last year with artist Banksy’s documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” receiving an Academy Award nomination for the film. While Seslow and Borbay brought their artwork to Iona after the release of the film, these two artists are sure to be considered some of the frontrunners in the street art scene.

Borbay’s artwork uses words and colors collaged together to make a mosaic image of different celebrity figures. A picture of Lil’ Wayne also includes an image of Mao at the bottom and an image of President Obama in the upper left hand corner. Through this style of artwork, Borbay makes a statement about not only himself but the figure featured in his artwork also. The words used for the collage represent the figure and help to define the piece.

On the other side of the exhibit is a wall of color and chaos. Seslow’s artwork is condensed into one corner area, leaving no white space of the wall visible. Vibrant with color, one immediately notices the repetitious images he utilizes. One in particular strikes the viewer. It is a man in a suit, but instead of a head it is a television screen. Looking at today’s society, this image speaks volumes. A society filled with suits and high power jobs that are juxtaposed with free time filled with mindless television consumption.

Another section of the exhibit features videos chronicling Seslow and Borbay’s process of creation. This allows the viewer to see the time and technique needed to create such intricate works of art. Viewing Borbay’s process of layering words and colors is extraordinary. While it looks tedious and difficult to see the big picture, it is hard to remind oneself that Borbay had the entire piece imagined in his mind.

Adding another layer to their work is the title of the art exhibit: Street Legal – Gratifffyti. Street Legal obviously refers to the fact that this is street art on canvas.

The title of the exhibit plays off of both the colloquial term and the more acceptable term for the artwork. There is a debate over whether or not street art is legal, and the title voices Seslow and Borbay’s opinion on this. The subtitle “Gratifffyti” plays off the word graffiti, adding the word gratify to the mix, commenting on the fact that the work put into the art and the artwork itself are gratifying.

What at first glance appears to be another exhibit dedicated to street art becomes much more complex at further examination. Both Borbay and Seslow not only show themselves as artists but also as individuals in their artwork. By utilizing common techniques and adding their own experience and perspective, both are able to create beautiful artwork that is gratifying for the artists and the viewers.