Artwork Description
Salvage Can 10 Original Painting on Spray Paint Can Mixed Media Sculpture Artwork by street artist graffiti legend Eddie Colla.
2018 Signed Original Spray Paint Acrylic Mixed Media on Spray Paint Can Artwork Size 3x8
"I made this series of cans in China in 2018. I had been waiting for supplies to start working on larger pieces. The residency where I was had kept all their empty spray cans. I started making these small pieces from the used spray cans. It wasn't anything I planned; I just had an unexpected amount of free time waiting for my materials to arrive, so I worked with what was available. Each can is signed and dated on the bottom of the can." -Eddie Colla.
Eddie Colla's Artistic Practice
Eddie Colla's "Salvage Can 10" is a compelling piece that reflects the artist's adaptive creativity and resourcefulness, elements that are often at the core of street pop art and graffiti artwork. Created during a residency in China in 2018, this work is part of a series made from used spray paint cans, an example of the artist's ingenuity in repurposing materials at hand to make art. Standing at 3x8 inches, each original mixed media sculpture speaks to the improvisational spirit of street art and the artist's personal narrative. The "Salvage Can" series emerged from waiting for art supplies, showcasing Colla's ability to innovate with available resources. This circumstance led to the transformation of discarded spray cans into a medium for artistic expression. Colla's approach involved using spray paint and acrylics to craft a mixed-media sculpture that conveys a street-wise aesthetic and intricate detail. The fact that each can is signed and dated on the bottom adds authenticity and offers a tangible connection to the artist's engagement with his work.
Symbolism and Technique in "Salvage Can 10"
Colla's "Salvage Can 10" stands out for its haunting imagery, displaying a contemplative and intense figure. Using a spray can as a canvas is deeply symbolic within the context of graffiti art, signifying both the tool of the trade and the transient nature of the art form itself. The choice to repurpose used cans highlights themes of sustainability and the reclamation of materials, which aligns with the broader ethos of street art's ability to transform and reinvigorate urban environments.
Impact on Street Art and Graffiti Culture
Eddie Colla is recognized as a significant figure in the street art movement, and his "Salvage Can" series contributes to the rich tapestry of graffiti artwork. By taking an object that is so integral to the creation of street art and making it the subject of the art itself, Colla blurs the lines between tool and artwork, creator and creation. His work serves as a visual statement within the art community and as a physical artifact that embodies the process and environment in which street art is created.
Collectibility of Eddie Colla's "Salvage Can" Series
For collectors, each "Salvage Can" piece represents a unique slice of Eddie Colla's artistic journey. The series' creation story—borne out of a need to create with limited resources—resonates with the narrative of many street artists who often work with what they have available. This backstory, coupled with the intimate scale of the work, makes each piece desirable for those seeking to own a part of the improvisational and spontaneous energy that defines much of street pop art and graffiti artwork. "Salvage Can 10" encapsulates Eddie Colla's innovative spirit and ability to make profound statements through street art. His choice to work with used spray paint cans during an artist residency illustrates the authentic and impromptu essence that street art is known for. Each signed and original mixed media sculpture from this series is a testament to Colla's role as a graffiti legend and a creative force in contemporary art.
