Charlie Giglia
USPS stickers
2016
Graffiti by the artist, created with Posca markers on two large USPS stickers
14 × 21 cm
Unique
Location: paris, France
Arianee token ID
959460351
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Documents
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Invoice or proof of purchase
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Certificate of authenticity
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About the artwork
Two United States Postal Service Priority Mail labels,specifically "Label 228,March 2016," are joined to form the support for this composition. The artwork features a stylized,bubble-lettered inscription rendered in blue with a black outline,which appears to spell "SAR" or a similar tag. The letters are adorned with internal details such as light blue dashes,pink ovals,and yellow splotches,adding texture and visual interest to the primary forms. The background of the composition is animated by scattered elements: green,elongated splatters emanate from the upper sections,while red dots and shapes are distributed across the white label surface. A wavy,purple-hued cloud-like form with red outlines and internal red crosses occupies the lower portion of the piece,providing a contrasting base for the central lettering. The overall aesthetic aligns with established conventions of graffiti art,utilizing bold outlines,vibrant colors,and a dynamic arrangement of forms. The use of official postal labels as a substrate connects the work to the practice of "slap tagging" or "sticker bombing," a common form of street art where artists apply customized stickers or labels to public surfaces. This choice of material integrates the bureaucratic and utilitarian into an artistic context,transforming a mass-produced item into a unique art object. The inherent function of the labels for "domestic and international use" is subverted by their artistic application,highlighting themes of communication,public space,and artistic intervention.
Expert opinion
This work operates within the lineage of Street Art,a movement that emerged from urban environments and often incorporates elements of graffiti,stencil art,and sticker art. The appropriation of commercial ephemera,such as postal labels,is a characteristic strategy within this genre,recalling practices seen in Pop Art but recontextualized for a public,often unsanctioned,display. The artist's use of a "bubble letter" style,a foundational element of graffiti,demonstrates a fluency with the visual language of the subculture from which the work originates. In the contemporary art market,works by established street artists who maintain a connection to their roots,particularly those who have transitioned from public interventions to gallery-ready pieces,have a defined collector base. The market values authenticity and a clear lineage to the street art movement. Pieces on unique supports like these labels are often sought after for their direct connection to the artist's original practice and the historical development of the genre.
About the artist
Charlie Giglia, known by various aliases including SAR, VIKING, SZAR, and SARCASTIC 109, is an American artist associated with the street art movement. His career developed within the context of graffiti culture, where he became affiliated with prominent crews such as TMB, MOD, TOP, FAL, and RI. Giglia's practice often involves the reappropriation of public and commercial surfaces, transforming them into canvases for his distinctive lettering and graphic style. His work frequently explores themes of identity, urban landscape, and the ephemeral nature of street art. Through his various monikers, Giglia has established a presence in both underground and more formalized art contexts. His output includes murals, canvas works, and smaller-scale pieces on found objects or commercial labels, reflecting a consistent engagement with the materials and aesthetics of his origins.
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