Timeless

Delta 2 is an American artist from the first generation of New York graffiti. Active since the early 1970s, he was one of the pioneers who transformed writing on New York walls and subways into a veritable urban art movement. Originally from New York, Delta 2 began painting at a very young age, in the context of the emergence of graffiti writing in the Brooklyn and Bronx neighborhoods. At the time, subway trains became the main medium of expression for young artists seeking to assert their identity in public space. Delta 2 quickly distinguished itself by the precision of its lettering and the graphic construction of its compositions. His work belongs to the so-called "old school" generation of graffiti, alongside major figures such as Lee Quiñones, Dondi White and Futura 2000. Like these artists, he has participated in the evolution of graffiti from a clandestine practice in tunnels and on trains to gradual recognition in galleries and institutions. In his works on canvas, Delta 2 retains the energy of original graffiti while developing a more painterly approach. Letters remain at the heart of the composition, but are often accompanied by figurative elements, references to music, urban culture or the New York imagination. The dynamics of movement and the rhythmic construction of the image recall the influence of hip-hop and jazz, two cultural universes closely linked to the emergence of graffiti. Over the decades, the artist has pursued a practice faithful to the spirit of the movement's beginnings, while adapting his work to contemporary media. His works bear witness to the history of graffiti and its gradual transformation into an internationally recognized art form. Today, Delta 2 is considered one of the representatives of the founding generation that laid the foundations of modern graffiti. His work is of particular interest to collectors who are sensitive to the history of street art and the memory of New York's first writers.