About the artwork
Created in 2020, COPE2’s *Sauvage the number1 true legend* is fully in line with the visual language the artist has developed since his early days in the New York graffiti scene. The dense and vibrant composition revolves around an intertwining of organic shapes, stylized lettering, and motifs emblematic of street art. The blocks of saturated color—dominated by intense reds, electric blues, and luminous turquoises—interact with splatters, spray effects, and layering that directly evoke the aesthetic of urban walls. Here we see COPE2’s signature style—sharp black outlines, rapid brushstrokes, and an accumulation of tags and inscriptions—conveying raw energy and controlled spontaneity. The presence of the number “94” and multiple signatures reinforces the work’s roots in authentic graffiti culture, while asserting its pictorial identity on canvas. The signed work stands out for its balance between apparent chaos and structured composition, revealing a maturity in the transposition of graffiti into a studio format.
Expert opinion
This work is a compelling example of the contemporary output of COPE2, a veteran of the New York graffiti scene whose career spans more than four decades. Created on canvas, it demonstrates the artist’s ability to adapt his urban style to durable media without losing any of its intensity or authenticity. The layering, rich color palette, and bold brushwork make this work instantly recognizable. On the market, COPE2’s unique works attract consistent interest, particularly among collectors with an appreciation for the history of graffiti and its pioneering figures. Large-format, signed, and visually dense pieces like this one are particularly sought after. This work is therefore a solid choice for collectors wishing to acquire a representative example of COPE2’s work, at the intersection of street culture and contemporary painting.
About the artist
Fernando Carlo, aka COPE2, is a leading figure in New York graffiti. Born in 1968 in the South Bronx, he began painting in 1978. Very active in the 1980s and 1990s, he made a name for himself by painting on all the New York subway lines, earning him international renown. Today, COPE2 continues to create, blending his raw energy with abstract expressionist style works, interwoven with his famous bubble letters and canvas tags. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in the United States and internationally, including D'Stassi Art in London in 2024 and JPS Gallery in Hong Kong in 2021.
Additional info
Signed
Framed
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