“Bushwick Galleries Mark a Decade of Artistic Collaboration”

# Bushwick’s Evolving Art Scene: The Legacy of Transmitter and Tiger Strikes Asteroid

Bushwick, Brooklyn, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, evolving from an artist enclave into a 24-hour nightlife destination. Amid this rapid change, two galleries—**Transmitter** and **Tiger Strikes Asteroid (TSA)**—stand as enduring pillars of the neighborhood’s once-thriving art scene, hosting groundbreaking exhibitions of emerging artists from around the globe.

## A Shared Space for Creative Innovation

For the past ten years, both galleries have occupied the second floor of 1329 Willoughby Avenue, housed above an Asian fusion restaurant. Together, they converted their 2,000-square-foot location into two linked art spaces, featuring concrete floors, white walls, and fluorescent lighting that fosters a welcoming yet professional environment.

> “I love having another gallery next to us,” says **Sun You, Co-Director of TSA**. “For many practical reasons, we coordinate our openings and closings.”

The seamless collaboration has allowed both galleries to support artists and sustain their presence in Bushwick, despite shifting demographics and rising rent prices.

## The Birth of a New Art Hub

The foundation for Transmitter and TSA’s presence in Bushwick was laid in **May 2014**, when a wave of evictions forced out several art spaces from **17-17 Troutman Street**, a former textile factory turned artist collective.

One of those displaced was **Parallel Arts Space**, run by artists **Rob de Oude and Enrico Gomez**, who chose to stay in the neighborhood. Simultaneously, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, an artist-run gallery collective with locations in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, and South Carolina, had outgrown its old space. The two initiatives partnered up and moved to Willoughby Avenue, where Parallel Arts Space rebranded as **Transmitter**.

At the time, Bushwick had developed into a **thriving arts district**, home to galleries like Norte Maar, Sardine, Schema Projects, and Koenig & Clinton, along with events like **Bushwick Open Studios**. Other spaces—like Microscope Gallery, Underdonk, and several independent studios—found their own places nearby, forming a dynamic creative ecosystem.

## Unique Exhibition Strategies

Though both galleries function as **collectively owned spaces**, their curatorial processes are slightly different:

– **TSA** operates through a group of **nine co-directors**, each contributing annual dues and curating their exhibitions independently.
– **Transmitter**, meanwhile, emphasizes a **rotational approach**, where co-directors collaboratively decide on each exhibition theme. They previously required membership dues but now operate under a contract with **Memorial Sloan Kettering**, providing artwork to the hospital.

> “I often reach out to artists cold and ask, ‘Will you have me over for a studio visit?’” says **Carl Gunhouse**, a Transmitter co-founder.

Their members scout talent via Instagram and personal connections, leading to career-defining opportunities for participating artists.

## Spotlight on Emerging Artists

Both galleries have introduced **breakout stars** to the contemporary art scene. In 2017, TSA hosted **Didier William**—whose mixed-media paintings later appeared at Volta NY and the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami.

Exhibitions have also featured:

– **Filogonio Naxín**, whose mural paintings depict Mazateca Indigenous culture.
– **Sungsil Ryu**, who created an elaborate conceptual shrine for a fictional South Korean influencer.
– **Alma Star**, whose installations revolve around spiritual channeling, featuring an interactive séance.

> “Everyone at TSA was incredibly supportive,” says **Alma Star**. “It gave me the confidence to keep making art that resonates with my vision.”

## Navigating the Future

Bushwick’s art scene has become increasingly expensive for independent galleries. Over time, various artist-run initiatives—like **Underdonk**—**moved out or shut down** entirely. While TSA and Transmitter considered relocating, **rents elsewhere were even higher**, compelling them to **remain in their long-standing space**.

As part of their commitment to artists, the two galleries introduced a **six-month artist residency program**—with an application deadline for the upcoming term set for **March 16, 2024**. The residency fosters new work and culminates in **an open studio showcase or exhibition** in the dedicated space.

Despite external challenges, the gallery leaders remain optimistic.

> “We feel good about what we’re doing,” says **Gunhouse**. “If you’re still making art and you’re still in New York, you’ve already succeeded.”

## Conclusion

In an era when gentrification constantly reshapes Brooklyn’s cultural fabric, **Transmitter and Tiger Strikes Asteroid