Adam Dare is no newcomer to New York’s vibrant street art scene he’s a cornerstone. Often referred to as “The Bunnyman,” Dare started tagging walls, subway cars, and tunnels in Brooklyn in the early ’80s after spotting his first graffiti artist at Park Circle Skating Rink
What began as youthful rebellion has matured into a career blending graffiti, punk attitude, hip‑hop energy, and pop‑infused imagery.
The Iconic Broken‑Hearted Bunny
Dare’s signature? A grey stuffed toy style bunny, sporting crosses for eyes and a bleeding, broken heart. Painted across New York, it’s a poignant critique of our tech‑addicted culture (“Eyes on the road, people!”) . He describes this motif as an emotional self portrait a childhood figure overlaid with heartbreak and healing .
Originally a symbol for personal struggle and breakups. The bunny evolves wearing tape, chasing an “unbroken heart” in Dare’s ongoing street narrative.
From Walls to Galleries
Dare’s raw street character hasn’t stayed confined to alleys:
Solo shows like “All About the Bunny” (Nov–Dec 2015, 212 Arts, East Village) reimagined his bunny in new guises inspired by his son Matteos
- Collaborations with Brooklyn spots like Genuine Motorworks saw limited‑edition tees and original paintings for $200–800. Complete with DJs and PBRs.
- His art, spanning Los Angeles to London, employs mixed media, stencils, and dark pop iconography discussing pain, loss, and current social issues
A Brooklyn Voice, NYC’s Pulse
Brooklyn shaped Dare’s streetwise palette: gritty, fast‑paced, and unforgiving. His work urges New Yorkers to look up from their screens and engage with the world . >He’s also renovating an East Village duplex to fund his art, working on a layered “Chase” series, a Bunny children’s book, and new wearable art his co‑op hustle is part of the narrative.
His street practice is a voice for his community. As he’s put it, some art beautifies, some reveals “the psyche of the artist,” offering commentary on poverty, power, and addiction. He famously proclaims: “FUCK YOUR PHONE KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!!!”
Now splitting time between LA and Brooklyn, Dare’s recent work shifts from pure heartbreak to resilience. His bunny is no longer defeated it’s healing, “cracked open.” Recent projects celebrate NYC typography and evolving street narratives
Adam Dare’s work is a vivid collage of emotion, location, and rebellion. From tagging trains in the ’80s to gallery shows and brand collaborations, he’s stayed true to his roots raw, noisy, unapologetic. But he’s also grown, mending that broken heart and adding nuance: personal musings, social critique, and community connection.
Whether it’s on a corner in Soho or hanging in a gallery, the Bunnyman’s message is loud: see the world, feel it, and have the courage to move forward even if cracked open.
Keep tabs on Dare: He’s working on a children’s book, fresh tees for spring summer, and murals in Miami for Art Basel. BLVKBOOK will be there to document.
