Alexander Mozzarella Moze
The deadly type
circa 2007
Mixed media on canvas
30 × 24 cm
Unique
Location: Paris, France
Arianee token ID
582884264
Share by
Email
Documents
-
Invoice or proof of purchase
-
Certificate of authenticity
-
Other documents
About the artwork
The composition features prominent graffiti-style elements superimposed over a background that appears to be a reproduction of Vincent van Gogh's "Wheatfield with Cypresses." The central motif consists of two interlocking, stylized forms: one in blue, outlined in white, occupying the upper portion, and another in a vibrant lime green, outlined in blue, dominating the lower center. These forms exhibit characteristics of abstract letterforms or character designs typical of urban art.
Overlapping these graphic elements are gestural turquoise and blue spray-paint marks, contributing to the work’s layered aesthetic. To the right of the green form, a dark rectangular panel contains the white block lettering “THE DEADLY TYPE...” followed by “.NY.” This text directly references “TDT (The Deadly Type),” a graffiti crew of which the artist was a member. The juxtaposition of classical art imagery with contemporary street art techniques and motifs creates a dialogue between historical and modern visual cultures.
Expert opinion
This work is situated within the broader context of street art and urban art, a movement that gained significant momentum in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The integration of graffiti aesthetics with recognizable art-historical references, such as Van Gogh’s landscapes, reflects a common strategy within this genre to engage with art history while asserting a contemporary voice. The artist’s association with established crews such as “156” and “TDT (The Deadly Type)” provides a historical anchor within the graffiti subculture, which can enhance its appeal to collectors interested in the provenance of urban art. The market for Moze 156’s work, as indicated by past auction results, suggests a consistent, albeit moderate, demand, primarily within specialized Postwar & Contemporary and Urban Art sales. The use of mixed media and the explicit reference to a graffiti crew further contextualize the piece as an authentic representation of the artist’s practice.
About the artist
Alexander Mozzarella, known as Moze 156, was born in 1973 and began his involvement with graffiti art in 1984 in Seine-et-Marne, France. Initially working independently and using various pseudonyms such as Smurf, Bomb, and Master, he later adopted "Moze" in 1998. His early work was influenced by artists like Bando and Boxer. In 1995, he collaborated with A-One, who became a mentor. Moze 156 is recognized for his contributions to the Parisian street art scene, notably being among the first to paint on fruit trucks and vehicles between Cergy and Belleville in 1999. His career gained further recognition when JonOne introduced him to Agnès B in 2000, leading to his first exhibition at Galerie du Jour in 2001. Moze 156 was also a member of the "156" crew, alongside artists like JonOne and Psyckoze, and later part of the "TDT (The Deadly Type)" group, which included Toxic, Koor, and Jay One. His body of work encompasses tagging, graffiti art on trucks, naive style frescoes, and pastel caricatures.
Additional info
Signed
3x
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.