Maximillian Gallery

The legendary NY graffiti artist, COPE2, discusses his art in an exclusive Q & A with Maximillian Gallery.

Q: How did you get into graffiti?

COPE2: My cousin, he would tag “chico!” in the neighborhood… and then I would watch the subways roll by and seeing all the huge colorful names on them is what started me into graffiti writing.

Q: What are the key messages or themes in your art?

COPE2: Well back in early 80′s it was about becoming a king of the line, like I became king of the #4 ’2 ’5 lines.  That was the my message back then, in my glory days as a graffiti subway artist. Today its more about just being me and putting what I did back then on and into paintings. So with my paintings you get me, 30-something years of pure original and authentic graffiti art, which people would love to have.

Q: Could you please explain your art name and how it relates to your work?

COPE2: My art name COPE2 was given to me from a good friend of mine who also wrote kope with the k! so when I’m doing a painting I’m transitioning what I did on the subways back in the early 80s into my artwork and paintings today so thats how I relate my art name.

Q: You’re one of the better known graffiti artists. How does that play-out within the community?

COPE2: Its pretty cool in the sense that now I’m a legendary graffiti artist so putting in so many years… I walk down the streets or go to the mall kids and people know who I am its like being a celebrity I get a lot of love and respect from the community.

Q: What would you say to critics of graffiti?

COPE2: Hey I understand them cause graffiti gets and has a bad rap at times. Critics think its some type of destructive art form, when it is and its not. Graffiti comes in all kinds of elements you got your crazy vandals who go out and destroy everything, which I’ve done also in my times but then you have your artist who are doing positive things with their graffiti art, like corporate gigs and the gallery scene, like me and a lot of other graffiti artists, so I guess I understand them also but they must understand us too.

Q: Who are your art influences in graffiti art and outside of graffiti art?

COPE2: When it came to the subway era, it was mitch77′ ban2′ comet’ blade’ lee’ seen’. But my art influences are artist like Bob Ross, man, I loved the way he painted them paintings… I would watch him on TV.

Jean-Michele Basquiat, man he was really an amazing artist I love him, Sad he’s not here anymore. Also, Keith Haring, another amazing artist, to think I would run into him all the time back in the early 80′s just walking in the ville downtown Soho area. He was so cool. Godbless them both.

Shepard Fairey, a master at what he does, amazing artist. Mr. Brainwash, love him or hate him he’s amazing also. Banksy, just the way he just does his thing, so mysteriously, even though I met him in london, when I went out there with pjay. Me seen phetus and pulse had some beers at a nice bar on the Banksy tab Hey thanks for the beer lets do a collabo! And my partner Indie she pretty much helps and inspires me to move on to the next level, thanks babe.

Q: What are your feelings about graffiti often only staying up for a little while in the streets?

COPE2: I guess that’s life nothing last’s forever I had my share and then some so I can’t complain much thats why I’m putting my graffiti art on and into paintings which will last for ever even after death someone will have a piece of my art work now thats for ever.

Q: Do you have formal art training?

COPE2: I learned from the masters of the subways back in the late 70′s early 80′s. That was my training, hitting the NYC subway trains.

Buy a limited edition museum quality COPE2 print.