New York Districts: Where the City Becomes Abstraction

The Birth of New York Districts

New York City. A city that never sleeps, always moving, constantly changing. For me as an artist, it's an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The vertical lines of skyscrapers, the vibrant colors of diverse neighborhoods, the tranquility of green spaces amidst all that energy—every corner of the city has its own character, its own story.

The New York Districts collection emerged from this fascination. It's not a literal representation of the city, but an emotional translation. I wanted to capture what I felt in New York: the tension between chaos and order, between vertical and horizontal, between light and shadow.

From my studio in Tilburg, I translate this urban energy into abstract geometric compositions. It's Tilburg art with a New York soul – a bridge between two worlds that seem further apart than they actually are.

Phase 2: The Unveiling Continues

The New York Districts collection is being unveiled in phases. We are now in phase two, where the works are slowly revealing themselves. Some remain covered, others reveal all their colors and shapes.

What's remarkable is that Coming Soon III , the third work in the collection, has already sold before the full series has been unveiled. This speaks volumes about the power of anticipation, the story behind the work, and the connection people feel with art that is still half-hidden.

The covered works raise questions: what colors lie beneath? What part of the city is being expressed here? What feeling is being captured? That tension is part of the experience.

The Three Faces of New York: Dawn, Day, and Night

The core of the New York Districts collection is formed by three works that capture the city at different times of day. Each work tells its own story, each moment has its own energy.

Dawn – The City Awakens

Dawn captures the moment New York slowly comes to life. Soft hues of ochre, terracotta, and deep blue mingle with the first rays of light. It's the calm before the storm, the moment of anticipation before the city unleashes its full energy.

Available as: Original painting | Limited edition art print

Day – Full Energy

Daytime is the city at its most powerful. Vertical lines shoot up, colors clash, movement everywhere. It's chaos and order at the same time, the energy you feel when you're standing in the middle of Manhattan. Powerful contrasts of black, white, yellow, and red convey the intensity of the city during the day.

Available as: Original painting | Limited edition art print

Night – Rest and Reflection

Night brings serenity. Dark shades of Payne's Grey and Prussian Blue dominate, with accents of warm light breaking through the darkness. It's the moment when the city breathes, when space arises amidst the energy. A work that brings tranquility to any interior.

Available as: Original painting | Limited edition art print

The Essence of the City

New York isn't a monolith. The city is made up of contrasts, layers, and overlapping stories. In the New York Districts collection, I translate that diversity into color, form, and composition.

Vertical Force and Architecture

New York is vertical. Skyscrapers soaring into the sky, sleek lines of steel and glass, brutalist architecture that leaves no room for doubt. In my work, you see this reflected in vertical planes, sharp contrasts between light and dark, and a color palette of gray, black, and deep blue with accents of gold.

It's power, ambition, and speed. But also loneliness among all those people. Read more about how I translated SoHo's vertical energy into geometric abstraction.

Color, Diversity and Movement

But New York is more than just steel and concrete. The city also exudes vibrancy, diversity, and color. Some works in the collection feature warmer hues: terracotta, ochre, deep red, with accents of green and blue. The compositions are more dynamic, playful, and less rigid.

It's movement, community, creativity—the energy you feel when you walk the streets. Discover how I translated this into the second district .

Peace and Space: The Ma-Concept in NYC Art

And then there are moments of peace. Green spaces in a concrete city, open spaces where you can breathe. In these works, you see more emptiness, more balance, more serenity. Space that breathes, stillness amidst the energy.

This ties in with the Japanese concept of Ma (間) – the art of negative space. It's not what is there, but what is n't , that creates power. In New York, you find those moments among the skyscrapers, in Central Park, in the stillness of an early morning. These are the works that invite you to pause for a moment.

Materials and Color Palette

For the New York Districts collection, I'm working with acrylic paint on canvas. This medium has its own unique character: acrylic dries relatively quickly and allows me to work in layers and build up quickly.

The color palette has been carefully composed of nine colors that together capture the essence of New York:

• Vandyck Brown – deep warm brown tones for an earthy base
• Paynes Grey – cool dark grey tones for urban shadows
• Prussian Blue – intense deep blue for the sky above the skyline
• Olive Green – muted green tones for moments of tranquility
• Cadmium Yellow – warm yellow accents for light and energy
• Green – vibrant green for contrast and balance
• Lamp Black – deep black for strength and depth
• Titanium White – pure white for light and space
• Cadmium Red – warm red for passion and movement

These colors weren't chosen at random. They reflect what I saw and felt in New York: the warmth of brick buildings, the coolness of steel and glass, the intense blue of the sky, the green oases amidst the concrete, the gold of sunlight breaking through the streets.

From Architecture to Abstraction

How do you translate a city into geometric shapes? It starts with observation. I collect photos, sketches, memories. I look at lines, at proportions, at how light falls on buildings. At how people move through the streets.

Then comes the translation. I reduce it to the essentials: which shape captures this feeling? Which color evokes this emotion? Which composition tells this story?

This approach is also reflected in my other collections, such as Theros and Antra , but New York Districts has its own character thanks to its urban inspiration and distinctive color palette.

The Creative Process

Every piece in the New York Districts collection begins with a mood board. I collect images of the city (often including photos I took myself from my trips to New York): architecture, street photography, color palettes, and atmospheres. I let my intuition determine what resonates.

Then I apply the individual colors to the canvas and begin connecting and blending the layers. No straight lines, no perfection. I work quickly, intuitively, in flow. For me, speed is essential—if I linger too long, I lose touch. Then it becomes too contrived.

I work with thin layers of paint, building them up one by one until a powerful whole emerges. By building up layers, depth is created, and the colors become vibrant and pop. Every brushstroke must add something, must have energy. It's about capturing a moment, an emotion, a feeling—before it disappears.

And then comes the hardest part: stopping at the right moment. When is a piece finished? When does an extra layer no longer add anything? That remains a challenge, but so is the magic of the process.

Originals, Prints and What's Next

The New York Districts collection features original paintings and limited-edition art prints. Each original work is unique, hand-painted, numbered, and signed. You're not just buying a piece of art, but also the story, the energy, and the time that went into it.

The limited edition prints make the collection more accessible without compromising quality. Each print is numbered, signed, and produced with museum-quality materials.

The collection is growing and developing, and more options are on the way. Follow the unveiling process via @kojo_art_official or subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to hear about new releases and available sizes.

All works are shipped worldwide from Tilburg, carefully packaged and ready to enrich your interior.

New York Art in Dutch Interiors

How does New York art fit into a Dutch interior? Better than you think. The earthy tones and geometric shapes perfectly complement modern, minimalist homes. The city's energy brings dynamism without being overpowering.

Styling Tips:

• Living room: A large work like "Day" with vertical impact serves as a statement piece above the sofa. Combine with neutral colors and natural materials.
• Bedroom: A quieter work like Night with more space and balance for serenity.
• Office/Workspace: Dynamic works like Dawn for creativity and focus.
• Pairing: Mix New York Districts with pieces from the Ombre collection for color transitions, or with Theros for a contrast between geometric and expressive.

Buying Art: What Next?

Interested in acquiring a piece from the New York Districts collection? View the complete collection on the New York Districts page . There you'll find available originals and prints, including sizes, prices, and details.

Works from this series may soon be available through Print Club – the monthly subscription where you receive an exclusive print in the mail each month.

Want to see the works in person? KOJO Art's work is on display at De Nachtzuster and Creative Coffee Café Buutvrij in Tilburg. Follow @kojo_art_official for updates on exhibitions and new releases.

The Story Continues

The New York Districts collection is ongoing. New works are being added, new aspects of the city are being explored, and new stories are being told. Subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of this page to receive exclusive previews and be the first to hear about new releases.

Because art is never static. Just like New York itself, it keeps moving, growing, and changing.

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Frequently Asked Questions about New York Districts

What is the New York Districts collection?

New York Districts is a series of abstract geometric artworks inspired by the architecture, energy, and diversity of New York City. The collection captures the essence of the city in color and form, from vertical strength to vibrant diversity and moments of tranquility. At its core is the Dawn , Day , and Night triptych.

What materials do you use for New York Districts?

I work with acrylic paint on canvas. The color palette consists of nine carefully selected colors: Vandyck Brown, Paynes Grey, Prussian Blue, Olive Green, Cadmium Yellow, Green, Lamp Black, Titanium White, and Cadmium Red.

Are the works from New York Districts still for sale?

Yes! The collection includes both original paintings and limited edition art prints. Coming Soon III is already sold, but works like Dawn , Day , and Night are available. Check the current availability on the New York Districts collection page .

What makes New York Districts unique?

This collection combines urban inspiration with geometric abstraction and the Japanese Ma concept. It's not a literal representation of New York, but an emotional translation. Each piece captures an aspect of the city: vertical architecture, vibrant diversity, or moments of calm amidst the energy.

What formats are available?

Original paintings are available in various sizes, which vary per work. Art prints are available in standard sizes. View the full specifications of available works on the collection page .

What is the difference between an original and a print?

An original is unique and hand-painted on canvas. Each work is numbered and signed. Limited edition art prints are high-quality reproductions in limited editions, also numbered and signed. Originals are investments and statement pieces, while prints make art more accessible without compromising quality.

How do I combine New York art in a Dutch interior?

The earthy tones and geometric shapes perfectly complement modern, minimalist interiors. Combine with neutral colors for a sense of calm, or with warm accents for contrast. Vertical pieces like " Day" are powerful statement pieces, tranquil pieces like " Night" evoke serenity, and dynamic pieces like "Dawn" add energy.

Will there be more New York art?

Yes! The New York Districts collection is growing. New pieces will be added as the reveal progresses. Subscribe to the newsletter or follow Instagram for exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes updates, and announcements of new releases.

Where can I see New York Districts works in Tilburg?

KOJO Art works are on display at De Nachtzuster and Creative Coffee Café Buutvrij in Tilburg. For information about exhibitions from the New York Districts collection, follow us on social media or contact us via the contact page .

Can I reserve a work or have it custom-made?

For questions about reservations, commissions, or custom work, please contact me via the contact page . I'd be happy to discuss how a New York Districts piece would fit into your specific interior.

Will works from this series also be included in Print Club ?

It's possible! Print Club members receive exclusive prints every month. New York Districts works may be included in future releases. Subscribe for updates on which works become available through the subscription.

Have fun exploring the New York Districts collection! 🗽