I first came across Jesse Edwards via his chaotic Youtube show Painting Passion. Ostensibly a how-to painting series, a frenetic Edwards bounced around my screen deftly explaining complicated painting techniques in-between ruminations on the reality of street life – all while working on a still-life of crack-smoking accouterments. Intrigued by the fine artist with the swagger and diction of a veteran graffiti writer, I did some digging. Sure enough, alongside his identity as a trained artist Edwards was also a founding member of the notorious BTM crew. Since those early days, Edwards has made waves in the gallery scene with his classic treatments of contemporary urban scenes. Violence, drug addiction and pornography are all rendered lushly in oil paints in Edwards’ work. With recent representation by the covetable Vito Schnabel, and co-signs by the likes of Erik Brunetti and Chuck Close, it appears this painter’s passion has paid off...