John Crash Matos

CRASH Sydney Janis Gallery 1984

1984

Dondi White, Futura, Lee Quinones, Crash, Daze, Lady Pink & Zephyr: Celebrating 15 Years Above Ground (1995): This rare, complete portfolio of 7 hand-signed limited edition screen-prints, was published on the occasion of the 1995 exhibition, Celebrating 15 Years Above Ground: a historic event exploring the evolution of 1980’s New York graffiti legends: Crash, Daze, Dondi, Futura, Lee Quinones, Lady Pink, and Zephyr. The seldom seen complete set of 7 works accompanied by both original portfolio covers, makes for a standout addition to any 1980’s New York graffiti collection. Medium: 7 individual screen-prints in colors on fine, deckle-edged Stonehenge paper; plus a screen-printed portfolio cover on heavy matte paper. 1995. Each work individually measures: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm). Each hand-signed & numbered in pencil by the respective artists from an edition of 100 (5 works signed & numbered frontside; with Futura & Lady Pink signed & numbered on the reverse). Condition: Prints: Some very minor signs of handling; rubbing on the right lower edge of Zephyr; in otherwise very good overall vintage condition as pictured. Superb overall print quality & color separation. Fine archival paper. Portfolio casing (last image) contains some minor signs of aging & handling. Collections: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Dondi White: Dondi was an American graffiti artist best known for his dynamic lettering and stick figures. His work, whether painted on canvas or on walls, is characterized by a dynamic energy and explosive use of color. Dondi became associated with a group of legendary artists working in the East Village, including Futura, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. His canvas works reiterated the lettering, symbolic icons, and stick figures that were his signature marks on the streets, while his later work from the 1990s included collages that juxtaposed pencil drawings with blueprints of the subway system—which had previously served as his canvas. Futura: Futura 2000 is a contemporary American graffiti artist. Over the course of his career, he transitioned from making New York-based subway graffiti in the early 1970s, to exhibiting at Fun Gallery in the 1980s alongside major artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Kenny Scharf. He went on to collaborate with the punk band The Clash, designing their album art and performing live graffiti during their concerts. Today, McGurr’s work can be found in the collections of the Museo de Arte Moderna di Bologna, the Musée de Vire in France, and the Museum of the City of New York. Lee Quinones: Lee Quinones is an American-Puerto Rican artist known for the graffiti he made on New York subway cars during the 1970s and 1980s. Quinones addressed political and cultural issues through his graffiti, with quotes such as “Earth is Hell...

Dondi White, Zephyr & Charlie Ahearn ‘Heroin Kills' Subway Art Photograph 1981. A rare, historic, early 1980s Bronx, New York graffiti photograph by Charlie Ahearn of Wild Style fame...

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Annina Nosei Gallery, New York, 1982-1988: A set of 3 rare vintage original Basquiat announcement cards from 1982, 1986, 1988, respectively - with 2 published d...

Dondi White NYC 1987: A rare, highly collectible Dondi White illustrated exhibition announcement published on the occasion of: 'Matter of Facts, New Drawings by Dondi White'. 56 Blee...

Original acrylic and spray paint on canvas. Hand signed, titled and dated on verso by John 'Crash' Matos. Canvas size 36 x 36 inches. Frame size approx 40 x 40 inches. Artwork is ...

John CRASH Matos "Broken Sparrow" Spray Paint on Canvas 32 x 96 inches signed by artist on verso. Artist signature tag incorporated to front design. Born John Matos in 1961, CRASH ...

Original acrylic and spray paint on canvas. Hand signed, titled and dated on verso by John 'Crash' Matos. Canvas is stretched. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Auth...

John CRASH Matos "Urban Odyssey (4 Panels)" Watercolor, Spray Paint and Ink on Arches Paper 34.5 x 85.5 inches, Framed Born John Matos in 1961, CRASH was raised in the Bronx, New Yo...