MTA Subway Sign- Elevator to Mezzanine Art Mixed Media on MTA Signage Painting Artwork by street pop culture artist Cope2.
Original authentic MTA subway sign this is an authentic 14x51inches metal subway sign spray-painted by cope2 . Born in 1968 as Fernando Carlo, Jr. in New York City. Cope 2’s paintings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the United States and internationally. He is a self-taught artist who is a celebrated legend contributing over 30 years to the graffiti street-art culture. One of New York City’s most prolific graffiti artists, he began tagging his name in the South Bronx in 1978. He developed his style in the subways and streets of the Bronx creating graffiti productions throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s achieving international recognition for his distinctive style.
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.
Original Artwork as a Core Medium in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
Original artwork remains the most direct and impactful form of creative expression within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. These works, executed by hand in a single iteration, serve as the foundation of an artist’s visual identity. Whether composed on canvas, wood, street signs, found objects, or walls, original pieces are where experimentation, emotion, and intent are fully visible. Artists working in this space often blend graffiti-based techniques with graphic aesthetics, using materials like aerosol, ink, acrylic, and marker to develop layered compositions. Each original artwork stands apart from multiples or editions because it is singular—a one-off that embodies the gesture and immediacy of the artist’s hand. In a culture shaped by tagging, repetition, and stylized language, the original work holds particular weight, not only as an object of authenticity but as a form of raw communication.
Technique, Surface, and Raw Process
The process of creating original artwork within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork is often defined by speed, layering, and material responsiveness. Many artists trained in graffiti culture carry with them a commitment to direct mark-making and improvisation. Surfaces are selected not only for their texture or durability but for their connection to the urban environment. Metal panels, salvaged signage, shipping crates, and concrete slabs are all commonly repurposed as canvases. Paint application varies from clean, graphic block-outs to expressive drips, fades, and sprays. In many cases, the energy of the piece lies in its imperfections—overspray, buffed areas, or abrupt transitions are not hidden, they are celebrated as part of the visual language. The use of stencil, sticker layering, and raw brushwork reflects the ongoing influence of the street, where control and chaos are in constant negotiation.
Artist Voice and Cultural Positioning
Original artwork allows for full expression of the artist’s intent without the boundaries of format, size, or duplication. Within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, artists like OG Slick, Shepard Fairey, Retna, and Futura have all built careers around the strength of their original pieces. These works often carry deeper commentary than their commercial counterparts, diving into themes such as consumerism, rebellion, identity, and coded language. The ability to paint freely, to make permanent decisions without concern for replication, creates a space where risk and vision intersect. Many artists return to original works as a way to evolve or reset their approach. It is within the one-of-one painting or sculpture that new techniques are often born—then carried forward into print runs, murals, or product design.
Collectors and Institutional Value of One-of-One Works
Original artwork within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork has gained significant attention in both private and institutional collections. As the line between contemporary and urban art continues to dissolve, these unique pieces are now featured in museum collections, major exhibitions, and fine art auctions. The scarcity of originals elevates their value, not just in market terms but in cultural significance. Each piece represents an unfiltered snapshot of the artist’s mindset at a specific moment. While prints and editions extend reach and accessibility, originals are held as archives of the creative process, where surface, intent, and execution converge. In a visual culture often saturated by digital imagery and mass production, the original artwork asserts itself as irreplaceable—standing as a document, a statement, and a physical presence that reflects the urgency and influence of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork.
