African American

Al Diaz SAMO©…SINCE 1978... Deluxe Collectors Book Set Print by Al Diaz

SAMO©…SINCE 1978... Deluxe Collectors Set Archival Pigment Fine Art Limited Edition Print, Photos, Book & Marker on Fine Art Paper by Modern Pop Street Graffiti Artist Ali Diaz. 2018 Signed & Numbered Al Daiz Portfolio Art Set of Prints, Art Objects, Media & Photographs. The Samo©… Since 1978… Deluxe Collectors Set Includes The Following Items: A signed first-edition book with an exclusive inscription by Al Díaz and Mariah Fox. A signed and numbered archival print measuring 8 x 8 inches is a photograph by Al Díaz from circa 2018. An 11-piece archival print set of vintage SAMO© photography, each measuring 4 x 6 inches, with photographs by Al Díaz, Natalya Maystrenko, and Jane Burrell Yadav from around 1978/79. A signed paint marker that was used to create an original SAMO© piece of art. A hand-screened canvas tote bag, printed on each side, measuring 15 x 20 inches. An enamel cross pin. A sticker pack. A bookmark. A blue marker. A signed Letter of Authenticity. Historical Significance and Composition of the SAMO©…SINCE 1978... Deluxe Collectors Set Released in 2018, this limited edition portfolio by Al Diaz is a comprehensive assembly that includes various items, each rich with the essence of street pop art. A signed first edition book with an exclusive inscription provides insight into the SAMO© tag's inception and evolution, a narrative co-created with Mariah Fox. Accompanying the book is a signed and numbered archival print, an 8 x 8-inch photograph Diaz took, offering a visual narrative that complements the written word. The realm of modern street pop art and graffiti artwork is ever-evolving, often blurring the lines between an art piece and a historical document. The "SAMO©…SINCE 1978..." Deluxe Collectors Set is a prime example of this intersection, offering a tangible connection to the roots of street art as seen through the lens of influential artist Al Diaz. This set is not just an amalgamation of art objects; it's a capsule of cultural heritage that chronicles the rise of one of the most enigmatic tags in the history of graffiti. Further delving into the historical context, the set includes eleven archival prints measuring 4 x 6 inches, featuring vintage SAMO© photography by Al Diaz, Natalya Maystrenko, and Jane Burrell Yadav. These images capture the rawness of the late 1970s and early 1980s in New York, where SAMO© became a recognized symbol of rebellion and artistic freedom. Including a signed paint marker used to create an original SAMO© piece signifies the authenticity of the art-making process, bridging the past with the present. The Artistic and Collectible Value of Al Diaz's Work The Deluxe Collectors Set assembles art objects extending beyond prints and photographs. This eclectic mix includes a hand-screened canvas tote bag, an enamel cross pin, a sticker pack, and a bookmark. Each item is a piece of memorabilia and a slice of the artistic journey that Diaz has embarked upon. Notably, the set has a blue marker and a signed letter of authenticity, sealing its value as a collectible. Al Diaz's contributions to the graffiti art scene are deeply etched into the cultural fabric of urban art. His work, especially the SAMO© tag, co-created with the legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, has become a symbol of street art's DIY ethos and provocative nature. This Deluxe Collectors Set does not merely reflect Diaz's artistic footprint; it serves as a conduit for the stories, the era, and the movement that SAMO© represents. Legacy of the SAMO© Tag The legacy of the SAMO© tag immortalized in this Deluxe Collectors Set is multifaceted. It's a testament to the power of words and images in the public domain, a reminder of street art's transitory yet impactful nature. The tag's cryptic messages once sparked curiosity and dialogue among passersby on New York's streets. Through this set, they continue instigating thought and appreciation among collectors and art enthusiasts. In essence, the "SAMO©…SINCE 1978..." Deluxe Collectors Set by Al Diaz is more than just an item of monetary value; it is an essential piece for anyone interested in the history and evolution of street pop art and graffiti artwork. Through this collection, Diaz cements his place in art history and invites others to explore and understand street art's profound impact on society and culture. As a limited edition of just 25 sets, it holds a unique place in the pantheon of modern art collectibles, embodying the spirit of a time when art took to the streets, challenging conventions and forever changing the face of urban expression.

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$354.00
Ron English- POPaganda Lincoln Obama 15 President Barrack Vinyl Art Sculpture by Ron English

Lincoln Obama 15 President Barrack Vinyl Art Sculpture by Ron English- POPaganda Limited Edition Collectible Sculpture Figure Fine Artwork by Graffiti Pop Street Artist. 2008 Limited Edition of 50 Artwork Size 10x15 New In Box Stamped Vinyl Fine Art Toy Figure Sculpture. Ron English- POPaganda – Abraham Obama Vinyl Sculpture in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork Ron English- POPaganda’s Abraham Obama vinyl art sculpture is one of the most audacious and conceptually layered pieces in the evolution of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. Created in 2008 during the height of President Barack Obama’s first campaign, this limited edition collectible (edition of 50) merges two of America’s most culturally significant presidents—Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama—into a singular hybrid bust. Standing 10 inches tall by 15 inches boxed, and produced in vinyl by MINDstyle, this figure embodies Ron English- POPaganda’s signature approach: visual collision, political parody, and cultural remix, all filtered through the lens of pop surrealism and graffiti-inspired fine art. The sculpture presents Obama with Lincoln’s iconic facial hair and historical attire, challenging the viewer to reexamine not only the legacy of leadership but also the collective symbols of American hope and progress. The packaging reinforces this fusion with a bold, saturated yellow and green colorway and English’s graffiti-styled hand lettering. It’s equal parts street culture artifact and fine art satire. With this work, English transforms campaign-era idealism into a collectible statement piece, collapsing timelines and creating a new icon meant to provoke, amuse, and unsettle. Visual Satire and Political Remix in 3D Form This sculpture is more than a mashup—it’s a sculptural commentary on how America constructs its heroes. By merging Lincoln, the president who ended slavery, with Obama, the first Black president of the United States, Ron English- POPaganda uses Street Pop Art’s remix culture to speak directly to race, legacy, and the mythology of leadership. The fusion is visually seamless yet conceptually jarring, forcing viewers to ask whether America’s dreams of progress are genuine or simply surface-level branding. English has long employed pop culture icons in his work—Mickey Mouse, Ronald McDonald, superheroes—manipulating them into grotesque or exaggerated versions of themselves. In Abraham Obama, however, the satire is more refined, bordering on reverence while still critiquing the idealization of political figures. It questions whether Obama’s image was being mythologized in real time, turning him into an icon before history could judge the substance of his presidency. That complexity is central to graffiti and pop-infused art: using popular imagery not to worship, but to dissect. Street Culture Meets Designer Toy Aesthetic As part of the collectible art toy movement, Abraham Obama also bridges the gap between street-level art and gallery collectible culture. The piece follows a lineage of vinyl sculpture rooted in graffiti aesthetics, lowbrow art, and limited edition consumer drops. Much like street art stickers and mural culture, these figures carry the urgency of ephemera and rebellion—but rendered in high-quality materials with gallery-level craft. The use of vinyl makes the work accessible in both material and tone, a tactile evolution of street pop's visual ethos. These types of sculptures are the three-dimensional cousins of stenciled posters and wheatpasted satire, designed to occupy the same cultural headspace while entering private collections. Like a Banksy piece pulled from a wall, Abraham Obama is designed to be portable without losing its streetwise edge. Legacy of Political Pop in Urban Visual Culture Ron English- POPaganda’s Abraham Obama is one of the most definitive statements of political remix in the contemporary art landscape. It belongs to a genre that not only challenges political narratives but also reframes how visual culture mythologizes leadership. In the hands of a graffiti pop veteran like English, the sculpture becomes more than a novelty—it becomes an archive of American hopes, contradictions, and media-driven spectacle. Within the expanding lexicon of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, Abraham Obama stands as a hybrid icon—part toy, part bust, part satire, part prayer. It encapsulates the power of street-level aesthetics to shape and reflect the nation’s deepest cultural tensions, all while making it possible to hold a piece of visual revolution right in your hands.

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$500.00

African American Representation in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork

African American culture has had a profound influence on Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, shaping visual narratives that reflect history, identity, and resistance. Artists use murals, installations, prints, and multimedia works to highlight the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of African Americans within urban and contemporary artistic movements. The representation of African American figures, symbols, and themes within these genres speaks to the deep connection between visual storytelling and cultural expression. Through bold colors, striking imagery, and layered symbolism, artists create works that explore themes of empowerment, social justice, and personal identity. Whether depicting historical figures, musical icons, or everyday people from urban communities, the portrayal of African American experiences in art serves as both a celebration and a critique of societal structures. The presence of political messages, poetic text, and cultural references adds depth to these works, ensuring that they resonate with diverse audiences while maintaining a sense of authenticity.

The Influence of African American Culture on Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork

African American culture has been a driving force behind many visual and stylistic elements found in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. The influence of hip-hop, jazz, blues, and spoken word poetry can be seen in the way artists construct their compositions, incorporating rhythm, movement, and lyrical expression into their works. The aesthetic of streetwear, activism, and resistance movements also plays a key role in shaping the themes and subject matter found in urban contemporary art. Many artists incorporate African American historical figures and cultural icons into their works, paying homage to leaders in music, politics, civil rights, and literature. Graffiti murals often feature detailed portraits of influential figures, while pop art-inspired pieces reinterpret these images through vibrant color palettes and mixed-media techniques. The ability to blend past and present allows these artworks to serve as both historical records and contemporary statements on race, identity, and representation.

Symbolism and Identity in African American Street Art

Artists working within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork frequently use symbolism to explore themes related to African American identity. The use of crowns, halos, and celestial imagery often signifies resilience and regality, while abstract forms and collage techniques convey the complexity of lived experiences. Portraits of African American subjects are often painted with exaggerated expressions, intricate patterns, and contrasting textures to emphasize emotion, history, and individuality. Many pieces include text-based elements, such as hand-lettered phrases, quotes from historical speeches, or graffiti-style typography that emphasizes themes of empowerment and resistance. The juxtaposition of urban landscapes with ancestral references, such as African masks and traditional motifs, highlights the fusion of past and present within African American artistic expression. These layers of meaning allow artists to tell stories that are both deeply personal and universally impactful, ensuring that their work resonates beyond the immediate visual experience.

The Role of African American Artists in Shaping Urban Contemporary Art

African American artists have played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, using their creative voices to challenge mainstream narratives and redefine cultural representation. Many artists draw inspiration from personal experiences, using their work to address issues of systemic oppression, police brutality, and social inequality while also celebrating Black excellence, creativity, and resilience. The work of these artists serves as both a form of activism and a visual archive of African American culture. Murals in cities across the world showcase the contributions of African American artists, turning public spaces into galleries that educate, inspire, and provoke thought. The ability of street art to reach broad audiences makes it an important medium for discussing race, history, and social justice in ways that traditional galleries often cannot. As the movement continues to grow, the impact of African American artists within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork will remain vital, ensuring that the voices of the community are heard and remembered through bold, uncompromising visual storytelling.