Back in 2015, while rebuilding after a fire at my old cafe, local artist and friend David Ribyat offered to repaint an old, unnecessary security mirror. He had overheard us saying how we always imagined it as a giant eyeball. The ultimate plan was to install a camera and hang a sign saying, “We’ve got our eye on you.”
Without hesitation, he got up on a ladder, removed the mirror (which had at that point been painted a solid mustard color), and took it home. About two weeks later, he returned with this amazing, one-of-a-kind piece. We never did install a camera, but it was always quite the conversation piece in the cafe.
After I closed shop in May of 2023, I decided the perfect home for it would be over my apartment door. This of course freaked out my roommate. Sorry, not sorry.
David is a self-taught artist and long-time resident of Hoboken, NJ. He is a student of Buddhism. His work is biographical. He makes sculptures out of junk and works mostly with latex paint. His cafe and bar paintings come from sketches made while enjoying a cold beer or drinking coffee at local spots. Many of his other works come from his own photographs and imagination. Much of which had been featured on the walls of of my cafe over the years.
David is also a multi-faceted musician, playing a variety of instruments in a number of bands including local faves such as Lloyd United, Las Vandelays, The Wailing Denims, Gold n Brown, Abby & The Normals, Lemonade Band (with Gregory McLoughlin), and more. He has graced the little stage at my old cafe numerous times, and has worked as musical director of Jersey City’s Art House Productions.
Let’s face facts . . . David gets around.
Go give him a follow on Instagram (@dribyat) and catch one of many art shows and musical performances around Hoboken and Jersey City.
Cheers!
Stephen
