Cope2- Fernando Carlo

Detroit Series 16 Original Painting Spray Paint, Acrylic Paint, and Mixed Media on Cradled Wood by Cope2 Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. 2010 Signed & Titled Original Spray Paint Acrylic Paint Mixed Media Painting on Cradled Wood Panel Ready to Hang Graffiti Artwork Bubble Letter Size 24x24 "I've always wanted to do a show like this. Lately, I have transitioned mostly into mixed media paintings, but I've been doing hardcore graffiti, if you want to call it that, for thirty-plus years. It's what made me Cope2. But I like to change it up and show all my different styles. So, with this show, I can show my evolution of style and how I've progressed. "Versatile" shows where I came from and what I'm doing now," Cope2 said from his studio in New York. -Cope2 Cope2's Detroit Series 16: An Emblem of Street Pop Art and Graffiti Artwork Cope2, a name synonymous with the gritty vibrancy of street pop art and graffiti artwork, presents us with "Detroit Series 16", which encapsulates the essence of urban expression. This 2010 original painting is a vivid example of the fusion of spray paint, acrylic paint, and mixed media on cradled wood. At a sizeable 24x24 inches, this ready-to-hang piece is an authentic Cope2 creation, complete with his iconic bubble letters that burst with the energy and spontaneity characteristic of his work. This particular piece of the Detroit Series is a rich tapestry of color, texture, and form. Using cradled wood as a substrate represents a departure from the temporary walls and subway cars that traditionally serve as canvases for graffiti artists. Cope2's choice of material marks a conscious step towards the permanence and longevity of his art, aligning with his desire to evolve and adapt over his thirty-plus years of creating. By employing a mixed media approach, Cope2 bridges the gap between graffiti's raw, street-level artistry and the refined, deliberate nature of studio-created works. The Evolution of Style in Cope2's Work The journey that Cope2 describes in his transition to mixed media paintings is evident in "Detroit Series 16". The artwork serves as a visual narrative of his stylistic evolution, revealing the layers of growth and change that define his career. In his own words, the versatility of his art showcases the breadth of his experience, from the unbridled expressions of 'hardcore graffiti' to the complex, multidimensional pieces he crafts today. The piece tells the story of an artist who is not content with the status quo, continuously pushing the boundaries of his medium to explore new techniques and concepts. The essence of street art, emphasizing accessibility and community engagement, is preserved in this work, even as it embraces elements of pop art's focus on mass media and popular culture. Cope2's work, mainly "Detroit Series 16", is a testament to the transformative power of art to convey personal journeys and societal narratives. It is a visual representation of the artist's belief in change, the potential of graffiti to evolve, and his ability to reflect these shifts through his art. Impact and Legacy of Cope2's Detroit Series The impact of "Detroit Series 16" extends beyond the visual appeal of its vibrant colors and intricate forms. It represents a moment in time within the broader narrative of street art's assimilation into the fine art world. Cope2's work, with its signature aesthetic and commitment to graffiti's core values, has played a pivotal role in redefining the perceptions of street-inspired art. The series, particularly this piece, exemplifies the fluid nature of contemporary art, where genres intersect and new forms emerge. As street art continues to gain recognition and respect within the art community, works like "Detroit Series 16" stand as milestones along this path of cultural acceptance. They are reminders of the roots of this art form in the uncommissioned, often unsanctioned expressions found in urban environments worldwide. Yet, they also signify the possibility of transcendence, of art that can rise from the streets to hang on the walls of collectors and enthusiasts who value the authenticity and raw power that graffiti embodies. In assessing Cope2's "Detroit Series 16" legacy, one cannot help but recognize the artist's influence on the trajectory of street pop art and graffiti artwork. His ability to navigate the transition from street to studio without losing the essence of graffiti's spirit is remarkable. The series offers a visual testimony to Cope2's enduring relevance in the art world, highlighting his role not just as an artist but as a chronicler of street art's dynamic and ever-evolving language. Through his creations, Cope2 continues contributing to the dialogue around what constitutes art, who can create it, and where it deserves to be seen.

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New York City Subway Maps IV PP Printers Proof Limited Edition Spray Paint Hand-Embellished HPM Archival Pigment Prints on Moab Fine Art Paper by Cope2 Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. PP Printers Proof 2019 Signed & Marked PP Limited Edition Artwork Size 17x24. New York City Subway Maps IV, Archival pigment print in colors with hand-embellishments on Moab Fine Art paper Cope2's Artistic Legacy in "New York City Subway Maps IV PP Printers Proof" The "New York City Subway Maps IV PP Printers Proof" by Cope2 represents a confluence of street authenticity and artistic innovation within modern Pop Art. The 2019 Printers Proof edition, signed and marked by the artist, is a limited series that pays homage to the raw spirit of New York's street culture. The artwork, measuring 17x24 inches, is a hand-embellished archival pigment print on Moab Fine Art paper, echoing the gritty essence of urban life through vibrant spray paint and bold tagging styles. As a seminal Graffiti Street Art movement figure, Cope2's work encapsulates the city's visual vibrancy and chaotic energy that never sleeps. His "New York City Subway Maps IV" represents the iconic transit system and a canvas showcasing the layered history of graffiti that has become synonymous with the city's subways. The hand-embellishments signify Cope2's personal touch, making each piece a unique fragment of New York's urban narrative. Blending Traditional Techniques with Urban Aesthetics Cope2's Printers Proof edition blurs the lines between traditional printmaking techniques and the urban aesthetics of graffiti. By incorporating hand-embellishments, each print transcends its status as a mere reproduction, becoming a standalone work of art. The series showcases Cope2's versatility as an artist capable of adapting street capable of adapting street art's spontaneous natureine art printing. The "New York City Subway Maps IV" series is a cultural artifact that reflects the evolution of street art from an act of rebellion to a recognized form of artistic expression. Cope2's work has transitioned from the fleeting surfaces of subway cars to the permanence of fine art paper, enabling the transient nature of street art to be captured, preserved, and appreciated as part of contemporary art's expansive canon. The limited edition Printers Proof series is a testament to the enduring appeal of street art and its significance within the larger context of pop culture. It underscores the importance of preserving the ephemeral nature of graffiti while providing an accessible medium for art collectors and enthusiasts to engage with street art in a new way. In essence, Cope2's "New York City Subway Maps IV PP Printers Proof" is a vibrant homage to the streets of New York, a tangible slice of the city's artistic soul. Through his work, Cope2 continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of Street Pop Art and Graffiti Artwork, ensuring that the voices of the streets are heard and celebrated in galleries and collections across the globe. His artwork remains a dynamic intersection of color, form, and urban storytelling, capturing the city's pulse in each spray-painted line and hand-drawn tag.

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The Mash- Embellished Limited Edition Hand-Embellished Archival Pigment Prints and Arcylic on 310gsm Fine Art Paper by Cope2 Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. "This piece was made towards the end of 2014. I was in my studio, listening to music and The Monster Mash came on. It was funny because I just started painting to the song and that's kinda how it went.This piece is more of what I'm doing today. It's kind of mashed up with all kinds of paint and different designs. It's got a lot of fo elements of what I do.It all kinda goes right. It's simple and to the point. Simplicity." - Cope2 The beginning of the new millennium found Cope2 in a different place in his career, as he started focusing more and more on ways to establish himself in the art scene of galleries and museums. Even though the artist had started working on canvas much earlier than the 2000s, it was then that he made this dynamic twist and agreed to exhibit indoors systematically. Whether you see graffiti as an expressive and lively form of art or as a form of irresponsible vandalism, one thing is certain; in recent years it has captured the attention of the general population to the world’s biggest galleries.

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New York City Subway Maps IV Limited Edition Spray Paint Hand-Embellished HPM Archival Pigment Prints on Moab Fine Art Paper by Cope2 Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art. 2019 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 15 Artwork Size 17x24. New York City Subway Maps IV, 2019 Archival pigment print in colors with hand-embellishments on Moab Fine Art paper 17x24 inches (43.2 cm x 61) (sheet) Ed. 10/15 Signed and numbered in pencil lower left. Work displays a .5-inch tear in the lower left border. Embracing Urban Narratives: Cope2's New York City Subway Maps IV Cope2's "New York City Subway Maps IV" is a dynamic fusion of graffiti's raw energy with the refined aesthetics of modern Pop Art, embodying the pulse of urban life on a tangible artifact of the city's daily motion. This 2019 limited edition series, with only 15 signed and numbered pieces, represents a significant contribution to the Street Pop Art and Graffiti Artwork movement. Each 17x24 inch piece is a hand-embellished archival pigment print on Moab Fine Art paper, offering a unique blend of street culture and high art. Cope2's signature authenticates the work, and its edition number is penciled on the lower left, with one particular piece displaying a minor .5-inch tear, adding to the authentic feel of the artwork. The piece serves as a visual archive of New York's graffiti history, immortalizing the spontaneous, often temporary, art gracing the city's subway maps. Cope2, a Bronx native, brings authenticity and street credibility to his work, with a reputation for over three decades in the graffiti scene. His "New York City Subway Maps IV" reflects urban street art's layered, complex nature, where tags and symbols intermingle to tell the stories of the city's diverse inhabitants. Cope2's Intersection of Street Art and Fine Art Cope2's artwork stands at the intersection of street art and fine art, capturing the essence of one medium within the form of the other. His pieces are more than mere representations of street graffiti; they are the confluence of the artist's lived experiences and interactions with the urban environment. The bold, saturated colors and aggressive brushstrokes hark back to the golden era of graffiti in the 1980s and 1990s when artists like Cope2 were not just decorating the city but also marking territories and expressing identities. The limited edition nature of "New York City Subway Maps IV" and the hand-embellishments by Cope2 himself ensure that each print is a unique piece of art, embodying both the spirit of the original street art and the artist's personal touch. The series encapsulates the rawness of the graffiti subculture while elevating it through fine art printmaking, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes art and who is deemed an artist. In essence, Cope2's work is a celebration of the visual language of the streets, presented within the context of fine art. It offers a narrative deeply rooted in New York City's cultural fabric, providing a snapshot of a movement that has evolved from the margins to the mainstream. The "New York City Subway Maps IV" series not only pays homage to the history of street art but also asserts its place within the continuum of contemporary art. Through his work, Cope2 continues to influence and shape the dialogue around Street Pop Art and Graffiti Artwork, ensuring that the vibrancy of street culture remains a vital part of the art world's discourse.

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New York City Subway Map Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print on 310gsm Fine Art Paper by Cope2 street artist modern pop art. 2016 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 75 Artwork Size 17x24 "Having a print made from an original New York City subway map piece that I created and collaborated with 1xRun on is a really great idea in the sense that many art collectors are able to own a piece of my New York City history.The whole concept of doing a New York City subway map goes perfect with my history as being a New York City graffiti art legend cause the subway system is were I made my bones and a name for my self tagging up and getting my name on every subway line and subway system in the whole city." - Cope2 Fernando Carlo a.k.a COPE2 is an American artist, active in the graffiti scene of New York. Cope2’s involvement in the street art scene of the 80s and 90s progressively made his reputation grow, making him one of the most well-known writers in the US. Controversial, yet iconic, the artist’s story and his involvement in graffiti since the last decades of the 20th century shed light on the history of graffiti itself and its evolution over the years.

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New York City Subway Map II PP Printers Proof HPM Archival Print by Cope2- Fernando Carlo Limited Edition Hand Painted Multiple on Moab Rag Fine Art Paper Pop Artist Modern Artwork. PP Printers Proof 2017 Signed & Marked PP HPM Hand Embellished Print Limited Edition Artwork Size 17x24 Archival Pigment Fine Art. Cope2's Vision in "New York City Subway Map II PP Printers Proof" "New York City Subway Map II PP Printers Proof" by Cope2, also known as Fernando Carlo, is a striking representation of the energy and vibrancy of street art culture, as captured on the very symbol of urban movement—the New York City subway map. This limited edition print from 2017 is a hand-painted multiple (HPM) on Moab Rag Fine Art Paper, each piece hand-signed and marked as a printer's proof by Cope2. The artwork, sized at 17x24 inches, showcases a blend of archival pigment fine art with the raw, spontaneous energy of street art through Cope2's iconic hand embellishments. Cope2's work in this series transcends the simple geographic representation of a map, transforming it into a canvas that narrates the pulse of the city's underground culture. Each Printer's Proof is a unique conversation piece, a segment of a more extensive dialogue that Cope2 has led in the street art scene for decades. His signature throw-ups and wildstyle tags are not just mere markings but are symbolic of the streets' language, speaking to urban artists' identity, struggle, and voice. The Intersection of Urban Landscape and Artistic Expression The "New York City Subway Map II" series is more than a navigational tool; it's a storied journey through the streets of New York, a visual exploration of the city's graffiti history. The map serves as the groundwork for Cope2's artistic exploration, where he layers his distinctive tags and colorful abstractions. This interplay of structured lines and wild graffiti is a metaphor for juxtaposing the city's order with the chaos of its subcultures. As a Printer's Proof, this artwork holds a special place in the production process, being one of the first prints off the press, reviewed by the artist for quality and detail. Cope2's decision to hand-embellish each piece underscores the importance of the artist's touch, ensuring that each print carries a piece of the street's soul. The HPM technique furthers this connection, bridging the gap between one-of-a-kind street art pieces and reproducible fine art prints. In essence, Cope2's "New York City Subway Map II PP Printers Proof" is a testament to the enduring legacy of graffiti as a form of Street Pop Art and Graffiti Artwork. It captures the essence of New York's urban spirit, with each print serving as a historical artifact of the city's rich street art culture. Through his work, Cope2 continues influencing the dialogue around street art, ensuring that its raw, unfiltered voice remains a vibrant part of the contemporary art world.

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