NYC Artist Benny Cruz Transforms Streets into Viral Artistry
New York City serves as the expansive canvas for Benny Cruz, an artist whose journey took an unexpected turn into the realm of social media fame.
“I always wanted to be a painter, until I reached a point where I wasn’t going anywhere with my art,” Cruz, 49, originally from Sweden, reflected on his early struggles. “That was tough. Then and there, I started painting for myself.”
Known online as “Your Local Benny,” Cruz discovered that his art resonated with many New Yorkers, leading to a surge in popularity. “I saw that a lot of people who followed me were from New York, and they started buying my art,” he explained, referring to his subway collection that commands prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
His artistic breakthrough came when he began using MTA subway maps as a backdrop for his text-based works. “So to think I felt I was going nowhere with my work, to now is a big difference. I started to get more and more relevant. I felt total darkness before, and New Yorkers brought the light,” he said.
Splitting his time between New York and Sweden, Cruz has gained recognition for his vibrant street art that has spread across social media platforms. His pieces, often spotted on subway cars, have garnered thousands of likes and shares, creating a buzz among city dwellers.
“With New York, I feel an enormous sense of gratitude,” Cruz stated. “I wanted to express my emotions, so I thought about the most symbolic aspect of the city: the subway. The subway connects every part of New York. From there, I found the map and started to make my art.”
The artist’s work has become synonymous with subway-inspired themes, capturing the essence of urban life. “These went completely viral because a lot of people, even people that live in New York, embraced it. And that’s a huge scale of people. It’s powerful, and there is emotion behind it,” he added, noting his growing following of 40,000 on Instagram.
Cruz’s artistic journey includes an apprenticeship under the late Chilean artist Alfredo Mosella. “With text, I found home. It’s the most simple but most complex way to express my emotions,” he remarked.
Recently, he obtained a permit to create a message on a truck parked on 14th Street, which has become a popular backdrop for photos. “I’m aiming so high I keep forgetting I’m already living my dream,” reads the text on the truck, which Cruz considers his proud “donation to the people of New York.”
When asked about his favorite piece, Cruz struggled to choose just one. “I have several, but the first one for me is the one that went completely viral online. It says, ‘New York, I have so much to thank you for.’ I mean, that really went viral,” he shared.
Another piece he cherishes states, “She’s got a soft heart but is New York tough,” which resonated particularly with his female audience.
“New York is a place you feel connected, and art connects people,” he noted. “I’m getting more involved with the city, and a lot of people know me now. Either they know me or my art.”
Despite his rising fame, Cruz remains focused on personal expression rather than legacy. “To be honest, I haven’t thought about that. This started out because I wanted to express how I feel, and that’s the core of my history,” he explained.
As his relationship with New York evolves positively, Cruz has plans for a large-scale art show in the city by 2026 as his social media presence continues to grow.
“I wasn’t going to have a future with my art, but New York changed everything,” he concluded. “And it’s like my artwork says, ‘I’m aiming so high I keep forgetting I’m already living my dream.’”
