440 Gallery presents Hiphop, Politics, and the Urban Landscape: three readings and an artist talk featuring Roger Bonair–Agard, Syreeta McFadden, Patrick Rosai and Helene Mukhtar October 19, 2008

Helene Mukhtar’s exhibit, Veni, Vidi, Sgraffiti, on display at 440 Gallery from October 16th until November 23rd, presents a series of mixed media paintings based on graffiti and mural paintings photographed in New York, Berlin, and Paris. The show investigates the uncertainty and unease created by the violence generated by war and terrorism.. Born in France, Helene now lives in Brooklyn and travels extensively in Europe as well as the Indian subcontinent. She received her MFA from Florida State University and has exhibited work throughout the US and France. Visit www.helenemukhtar.com for more information.

Roger Bonair-Agard is a native of Trinidad and Tobago and a Cave Canem fellow. He is the author of two collections of poetry, Tarnish and Masquerade (CYpher Books, 2006) and GULLY (CYpher Books, 2009). He is Artistic Director and co-founder of the louderARTS Project and a two-time National Poetry Slam Champion. Roger teaches and performs throughout the world and keeps his belongings in Brooklyn.

Syreeta McFadden is a writer and photographer from the dairy state whose motto is 'forward'. She is lactose intolerant and eco-friendly. She has an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and is currently working on a novel and stories influenced by graffiti and the urban landscape. She is a proud resident of the Shire (ahem, Brooklyn).

Patrick Rosal is the author of two award-winning books of poetry, Uprock Headspin Scramble and Dive, which won the Members' Choice Award from the Asian American Writers' Workshop, and most recently My American Kundiman, which won the Association of Asian American Studies 2006 Book Award. His poems and essays have been published widely in journals and anthologies including Harvard Review, Crab Orchard Review, North American Review, The Literary Review, Language for a New Century, and the Beacon Best. He has served as visiting writer at Penn State Altoona, Centre College, and the University of Texas, Austin. He taught creative writing for many years at Bloomfield College and twice served on the faculty of Kundiman's Summer Retreat for Asian American Poet.

Official Website: http://www.440gallery.com