Futura
atoms
circa 2008
Mixed media: black and red markers and red, black, blue, and gray spray paint on pure linen canvas.
70 × 62 cm
Unique
Location: paris, France
Arianee token ID
834516148
Share by
Email
Documents
-
Invoice or proof of purchase
-
Certificate of authenticity
-
Other documents
About the artwork
A dynamic composition unfolds on the pure linen canvas, featuring a combination of linear structures and circular forms created with spray paint and a marker. The background is punctuated by a dense scattering of red, black, and blue paint splatters, creating a textured field. Two vertical elements, rendered in red marker with a hatched pattern, anchor the upper-left and lower-right quadrants of the work. Interwoven with these linear motifs, several swirling red aerosol shapes—varying in size and intensity—suggest movement and energy. These circular elements interact with the paint splatters, at times appearing to emerge from or sink into the textured surface. A distinct black outline frames the central area of the composition, providing a structural boundary that contrasts with the organic flow of the spray paint. The artist’s signature, executed in black marker, is located in the lower right corner of the canvas, integrated into the overall design. The interplay of controlled lines and spontaneous marks, along with the limited yet effective color palette, defines the visual language of this piece. The technique involves both precise drawing and the fluid application of spray paint, demonstrating a range of artistic gestures.
Expert opinion
This work is part of the evolution of the Street Art and Post-Graffiti movements, in which artists have shifted from public spaces to galleries. Futura’s contribution to this transition is well documented, as he played a role in bridging the gap between urban art and the contemporary art market. His abstract approach, distinct from the more figurative or narrative styles of some of his contemporaries, has retained a consistent appeal. The market for works by artists from the 1980s New York graffiti scene remains robust, with a particular emphasis on unique canvases that showcase their techniques. Works from this period, as well as later pieces that reflect the evolution of their style, are sought after by collectors interested in the origins and development of urban art within the contemporary art landscape.
About the artist
Leonard McGurr, aka Futura, was born in New York in 1955. Futura was one of the very first graffiti artists to break away from lettering in the early '80s and create abstract compositions. Futura soon developed a body of work on canvas, which he exhibited alongside artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf. The key elements of the style we know today are already there: clouds of color with subtle variations, extremely fine lines that seem to scratch the surface, and above all that astonishing fluidity of execution that gives his works that distinctive atmospheric tone. His style and virtuosity have made Futura a key figure in the urban art scene, which has spanned the ages and made a mockery of simplistic categories. He is regularly invited to take part in projects and exhibitions by institutions around the world, including the Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the MOCA in Los Angeles and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Additional info
Signed
OTHER ARTWORKS YOU MAY LIKE
Your Dynamic Snippet will be displayed here...
This message is displayed because you did not provide both a filter and a template to use.