Graffiti NY Subway Map M/M by Exhibited Lava I&II N/R!

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Double your traffic. Welcome to Cornell Gallery's Famous $9.99 No-Reserve Art Auctions! Sounds Too Good To Be True?.... Check Out Our Feedback And See What Our Happy Clients Have To Say About Us!!!! And Please Remember to Browse Our Other Current Listings at / stevecornellgallery - We List 10-15 New Pieces EVERY DAY! This vibrantly expressive work of graffiti art is an original 2011 mixed media (spray paint, paint pen, acrylic) on a New York subway map by the legendary, EXHIBITED, New York graffiti artist "Lava I & II" (20th Century). Gritty, raw, and inherently subversive, graffiti art has emerged from its urban roots and risen to an internationally recognized, gallery-exhibited art form. From his first introduction to the medium, Lava I & II has evolved into a mature artist, representing the New York style through his brightly designed compositions. His works focuses on the original intention - to tag the artist's name - and yet he brings it to another level, adding in a modern graphic design twist. Using a standard New York City map, Lava I & II incorporates his stomping ground with his unique graffiti style. The lines are crisp, executed with a draftsmanly touch, and pull the viewer's eye through the large letters in the center. He paints his logo of a stick figure with a crown above his head, a larger-than-life symbol representing the artist's dominance over the sprawling metropolis. Don't miss your chance to own it in this fantastic No Reserve auction! The piece measures 23" x 29". Don't miss the opportunity to own this exhibited artist's one of a kind art! ABOUT THE ARTIST: Originally “Straight Man” of the Black Spades, a gang in the South Bronx from the late 60’s to the early 70’s, Lava has remained a part of graffiti art as it has evolved through the decades. His first exposure to graffiti was for a way to mark the Black Spade’s gang territory with aerosol spray paint, starting out small time in neighborhoods on things like buses. His brother, known as Kool Breeze, was writing on trains and expressed the need to expand to entire burrows. From there, Lava went from place to place, meeting others and learning the train yard layouts and the back streets of the city. In the beginning, graffiti, or “writing,” was all about getting your name out there. It wasn’t until the 80’s that the art was becoming more important and the artwork was getting to another level. However, getting known was becoming harder, which meant artists had to step up their game and kick it up a notch to be noticed. Filmmakers began to film graffiti, which was the first time money was made off of it as an art. Writers started to collaborate with other media to gain exposure. The emerging hip-hop culture became an element of graffiti, and with it came the DJ, MC, and the B-Boy who came along with break dancing. Lava grew from this experience. As the art got better, he could better express what was going on. Graffiti became less forbidden, and instead of it remaining taboo, Lava could have open conversations about his writing. Lava’s entrance into the art world began when hooking up with UGA, United Graffiti Artisits, NOVA, and Fashion-Motor. In 2000, after a hiatus of a couple decades, a representative from a graffiti website “Subway Outlaws” met with Lava for an interview and photography purchases. Upon being introduced to the website, Lava noticed his and his brother’s names under the obituaries. Afterwards, he attended “Funhouse,” a graffiti showing at Five Pointz in Long Island City. There, he was recognized by old friends and then came out of retirement. He began writing again and realized graffiti artists had started to capitalize on their work. By this time, graffiti had become more official through different publications. His friends encouraged him to get into publications, publishing his notoriety for the first time. ________________________ We have been selling artwork for over 25 years, specializing in 1950's to 19... read more

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