New York, NY –– WHAAM! Is pleased to present UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE UNDERWORLD an exhibition by Jose ‘COCHISE’ Quiles and Clayton Patterson on view from September 4th through October 27th, 2024. 

Jose ‘COCHISE’ Quiles and Clayton Patterson met in 1992. One day there was a constant and aggressive doorbell ringing at Clayton's house by three menacing-looking guys, all wearing gang colors black and red in the design of motorcycle club patches, emblazoned with a black helmeted skull on a  Maltese cross engulfed in flames that read ‘SATAN’S SINNERS NOMADS’. Cochise founded this gang and was the leader, eventually serving 18 years in New York State prison for the attempted murder of two former members. From then on, COCHISE and Patterson have since worked together on furthering relationships between cross-cultural communities.

The exhibition showcases a variety of embroideries, photographs, illustrations, tapestries, carpets, caps, and books by COCHISE and Patterson dating back from 1992– giving homage to not only the socio-political movements and influences on their works but also a tribute to their three decades of friendship and collaboration. 

Both artist's practices co-exist as parallel trajectories that have subtly influenced each other, taking reference from New York City subcultures they were involved in for the past 30 years. Along with these works, longtime collaborator and artist Jim Power will debut new mosaic panels.

About Clayton Patterson

Clayton Patterson is an artist, photographer, and videographer known for documenting the unique character of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Born in Canada in 1948, Patterson taught etching, printmaking and lithography at universities across Canada before moving to New York City in 1979 with partner and fellow artist Elsa Rensaa. 

In 1983, Patterson and Elsa Rensaa purchased 161 Essex St., a former dressmaker’s shop, where they still live and work. Over the years, their multifaceted storefront has taken many forms: in the mid-80s, it became the de-facto home of Clayton Caps, and the Outlaw Art Museum, which has exhibited work of artists ranging Boris Lurie, COCHISE, Jim Power, Dash Snow, Jerry Pagane, LA II, bikers, and religious worshipers.

For over four decades, Patterson has engaged with neighbors from these cross-cultural communities and documented daily life. He's captured defining events (video footage of the widespread police brutality during the Tompkins Square Park Police Riot, for which Patterson was arrested) and everyday joy (generations of portraits of local kids who’d pose outside his front door). 

About Jose ‘COCHISE’ Quiles

COCHISE is a youth advocate and warns young people concerning the futility of gang involvement and the consequences that ensue from that lifestyle. 

The founding member of the Lower East Side street gang ‘SATAN’S SINNERS NOMADS’, COCHISE served 18 years in prison for attempted murder after stabbing two of his fellow gang members and tossing them in the East River (both survived), Before going to prison, he made dark, outlaw-biker art in the gang’s clubhouse that got noticed by the likes of GG Allin and Dash Snow. While incarcerated, he began creating caricature-style portraits of fellow inmates, which they would send to their children. Upon release, he made it his life’s mission to give kids an alternative to gang life.