Living with Legends

For many years one of Hiroya’s graffiti-based paintings held a place of honor in the stairwell between the 7th and 8th floors here at the Hotel Chelsea.  If you came through the Chelsea lobby between 1997 and 2001, then you probably even met the Japanese painter. He may have even tried to sell you one of his paintings.  Sadly, Hiroya died under mysterious circumstances a few years back, but it was comforting to know that his art was still with us here at the Chelsea.  Sometime after midnight Friday, Feb. 10 Hiroya’s mural was removed from the wall.  If you know what happened to the painting, don’t keep it to yourself.