Cocaine

Contra Cocaine Silkscreen & Glitter Print by Robert "Robbie" Conal Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork. 2010 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 100 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print Robert "Robbie" Conal's Contra Cocaine: A Landmark in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork The artwork "Contra Cocaine" by Robert "Robbie" Conal is a watershed moment in the history of street pop art and graffiti artwork. The 18x24 silkscreen print, with its haunting skull imagery set against a camouflaged backdrop, is not just a visual statement but a political cudgel wielded with artistic precision. This hand-pulled print on fine art paper, a limited edition of 100, represents Conal's unapologetic foray into street art, a domain he has since come to dominate. Educated at Stanford and a master painter, Robbie Conal is known for his unflinching, intensely detailed portraits, often depicting political figures in grotesque forms. His highly political and active work provides a scathing commentary on political corruption and misconduct. "Contra Cocaine" is perhaps his most notorious piece, a symbolic representation of the Iran/Contra scandal that plagued the Reagan administration. Its original iteration in 1988 has the distinction of being a part of the permanent collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), underscoring its cultural and historical significance. Contra Cocaine: The Intersection of Art and Political Activism Conal's "Contra Cocaine" transcends mere artistic endeavor; it encapsulates the artist's commitment to confronting and exposing the dark underbelly of political power structures. The piece is a grim commentary on the Iran/Contra affair, with the skull serving as a macabre symbol of the deadly consequences of political gamesmanship. Using street art's stark, compelling visual language, Conal's work becomes accessible and engaging, drawing the public into a conversation about the often invisible mechanisms of government wrongdoing. The distribution of "Contra Cocaine" through street posters in cities across the United States marked Conal's initial exploration into street art. This guerrilla postering, a form of grassroots activism, was designed to provoke public discourse and bring political commentary out of the galleries and into the streets. The image became synonymous with a generation's disillusionment and rage, channeling the spirit of protest into a singularly impactful piece of art. Legacy and Influence of Robbie Conal in Street Art Robbie Conal's influence on street pop art and graffiti artwork is profound. His commitment to marrying art with activism has inspired countless artists to view the urban landscape as a platform for social commentary and change. Plastering "Contra Cocaine" posters around the country was not just an artistic statement but a call to arms, engaging a volunteer "army" of supporters to disseminate the powerful image far and wide. Conal's method of engagement—activating a network of volunteers to distribute his posters—echoes the collective nature of street art, wherein the community plays a crucial role in the dissemination and reception of the work. The "army" that Conal mobilizes speaks to the collaborative spirit of the street art movement, blurring the lines between artist and audience, between individual creation and collective experience. Contra Cocaine: A Statement of Artistic and Historical Importance The historical context of "Contra Cocaine" amplifies its importance in the annals of street art. Published on the occasion of the exhibition "The Missing Link" at Country Club in 2010, the print also belongs to the Beautiful Losers Archive and Iconoclast Editions, collections that honor the works of artists who have shaped the landscape of contemporary art outside traditional systems. "Contra Cocaine" not only cements Robbie Conal's place in street art history but also stands as a testament to the power of visual art as a means of political resistance and societal reflection. As a piece of street pop art and graffiti artwork, it represents the genre's potential to influence public opinion and spark dialogues that transcend the visual medium, entering the realm of collective memory and historical documentation. The continued relevance of "Contra Cocaine" lies in its unabashed confrontation with political corruption and how art can expose and critique those in power. Through this work and his broader artistic oeuvre, Robbie Conal demonstrates the enduring role of the artist as a provocateur and a social commentator, wielding brushes and silkscreens as others might wield pens or protest signs. His legacy in street art is defined by his distinctive visual style and his unwavering commitment to activism through art.

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Pablo 2-Color Hand-Pulled Limited Edition Silkscreen Print on Fine Art Paper by SSUR- Ruslan Karablin Rare Street Art Famous Pop Artwork Artist. 2014 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 60 Artwork Size 18x24 Some Staining and Minor Creases. A very cool Pablo Escobar wanted poster is depicted in this artwork print. Printed across his picture is the work Muerto, or DEAD. Rare special limited edition out-of-production art print. Pablo 2-Color Hand-Pulled Limited Edition Silkscreen Print by SSUR - Ruslan Karablin The Pablo 2-Color Hand-Pulled Limited Edition Silkscreen Print by SSUR - Ruslan Karablin is a provocative and rare example of street pop art & graffiti artwork, directly referencing the cultural and historical impact of Pablo Escobar through an iconic wanted poster. Created in 2014, this signed and numbered limited edition of 60 print captures the intersection of political commentary, crime history, and street art aesthetics. Measuring 18x24 inches, the artwork delivers a raw, impactful statement with a minimalist yet bold design that enhances its message. SSUR and the Influence of Counter-Culture Street Art Ruslan Karablin, known under the alias SSUR, is a counter-culture street artist who has built a reputation for fusing historical and political themes with bold visual storytelling. His work often critiques power, capitalism, and the glorification of infamy, making this Escobar-inspired print a natural extension of his artistic practice. SSUR has long utilized propaganda-style imagery, high-contrast prints, and subversive messaging, techniques that align perfectly with the punk-inspired rebellion of street pop art & graffiti artwork. The Pablo print exemplifies his ability to reframe historical figures in a modern, hyper-commercialized context, turning wanted posters, revolutionary imagery, and capitalist symbols into collectible artworks. The silkscreen process, known for its rich textures and bold contrast, adds a level of authenticity to the print, reinforcing its underground aesthetic while maintaining high artistic value. Symbolism and Cultural Impact of the Pablo Print This limited edition artwork is a reinterpretation of an actual Colombian government wanted poster issued for Pablo Escobar, the infamous drug lord whose criminal empire and mystique have continued to permeate pop culture, cinema, and street art. In place of an ordinary mugshot, SSUR adds a red censorship bar over Escobar’s eyes, with the word Muerto (meaning Dead) imprinted in bold, striking typography. The use of red over black-and-white imagery symbolizes violence, censorship, and the brutal finality of Escobar’s legacy. By using this historical imagery in a street pop art format, SSUR raises questions about the mythologizing of criminals, the commodification of crime in pop culture, and the relationship between propaganda and consumer culture. The Pablo print, much like the artist’s broader body of work, challenges viewers to reconsider power structures and the ways in which figures like Escobar are immortalized and romanticized in contemporary media. Rarity and Collector's Value This out-of-production special edition print is considered a rare collector’s item within the world of street pop art & graffiti artwork. With only 60 prints ever made, its hand-pulled silkscreen technique ensures that each piece retains a unique quality, reinforcing the authenticity and exclusivity of the artwork. Some prints may show minor creases and staining, which only add to their raw, street-art-inspired appeal. Collectors of urban contemporary art, political pop art, and subversive street culture pieces seek out works like this due to their commentary on history, power, and crime. The Pablo print by SSUR stands as a bold example of modern propaganda art, turning a government-issued bounty into a statement piece that blurs the lines between historical record and contemporary street art aesthetics.

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