- 11
Futura 2000
bidding is closed
Description
- Futura 2000
- NBC
- Signed; signed, titled and dated 2007 on the reverse
- Mixed media on canvas
- 122 by 122.5 cm, 48 by 48 1/4 in.
- Executed in 2007.
Provenance
Private Collection
Catalogue Note
Futura 2000 – or Leonard Hilton McGurr – is a pioneering graffiti artist who has been painting subway trains since the early 1970s. For this reason few of his early works have survived, most having been cleaned or destroyed. In high school Futura read the 1970 book Future Shock by Alvin Toffler and was deeply affected by its dystopian prophecies, which solidified his fascination with nature and acceleration of time.
Futura was one of the first to exclusively focus on abstract pieces – with his unmistakable brush-like strokes – at a time when most writers were obsessed with lettering. His first group show took place in 1981 at the SA Alternative Space, in New York. That same year, he was on stage with The Clash, painting live. He subsequently worked on a number of projects with the Clash, including several sleeve designs
During the next few years, his work took him around the world’s museums and galleries. In the 90s, he invested his time and resources in street wear companies.
Futura was one of the first to exclusively focus on abstract pieces – with his unmistakable brush-like strokes – at a time when most writers were obsessed with lettering. His first group show took place in 1981 at the SA Alternative Space, in New York. That same year, he was on stage with The Clash, painting live. He subsequently worked on a number of projects with the Clash, including several sleeve designs
During the next few years, his work took him around the world’s museums and galleries. In the 90s, he invested his time and resources in street wear companies.