About the artwork
This diptych, executed in acrylic and spray paint, presents an abstract composition characterized by dynamic forms and a vibrant palette. The two panels, each measuring 70 x 60 cm, are intended to be displayed together, forming a larger work of 140 x 120 cm. The surface features layered applications of paint, with broad strokes of acrylic providing a foundation for the more precise and gestural marks of spray paint, including drips and splatters. The composition employs a range of blues, reds, purples, and yellows, creating areas of high contrast and visual movement. Geometric and organic shapes intersect, some defined by crisp edges, others by softer, blended transitions. White areas provide breathing room and highlight the intensity of the colors. Elements reminiscent of graffiti tags and stylized letterforms are integrated into the abstract landscape, reflecting the artist's origins in urban art. The work demonstrates a continuation of his distinctive style, which incorporates elements of his graffiti background into a gallery context.
Expert opinion
Toxic's work occupies a distinct position within the art historical context of Street Art and Contemporary Art, particularly as a first-generation graffiti artist who successfully transitioned into the mainstream gallery system. His association with figures like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Rammellzee provides a direct link to the seminal New York art scene of the 1980s, lending historical weight to his oeuvre. The market for his works benefits from the enduring interest in artists who pioneered the Street Art movement, particularly those whose practices demonstrate a sophisticated evolution beyond their initial street interventions. The use of traditional canvas with spray paint and acrylic positions his work at the intersection of urban expression and fine art painting, appealing to collectors interested in both historical significance and contemporary aesthetics.
About the artist
Torrick Ablack, known as Toxic, is an American artist born in 1965 in the Bronx, New York. He emerged as a significant figure in the graffiti movement of the early 1980s, beginning to paint graffiti at the age of 13 alongside A-One and Kool Koor. Toxic joined the Tag Master Killers (TMK) crew, led by Rammellzee, whose philosophy of "Gothic Futurism" influenced his artistic vision, expanding it beyond traditional graffiti to embrace abstraction and complexity. A pivotal moment in Toxic's career occurred in 1982 when he met Jean-Michel Basquiat, who became a mentor and encouraged him to transition from painting subway trains to canvases. Toxic, along with Rammellzee and Basquiat, formed the "Hollywood Africans" in 1983, a collective response to the stereotypical portrayals of African Americans in Hollywood, and are depicted in Basquiat's paintings of the same name. Toxic's work has been exhibited internationally, including in "Arte di Frontiera: New York Graffiti" in Bologna, Italy, in 1984, and later in institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of the City of New York. He has continued to evolve his practice, with recent solo exhibitions showcasing both new and earlier works.
Additional info
Signed
Dated
Certificate
3x
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