FUTURA
Born in New
York in 1955, Futura 2000 is one of the most famous graffiti
artists in the world.
"Back then I don't think anyone ever thought much about
the future of the movement and where it was going. Surely I
didn't. It was a passing fancy, a fad, a sign of the times.
Social unrest and war were at the forefront of our culture.
There were gangs and there were causes, there was indecision
and there was pressure. There was a feeling of helplessness
and there were messages to be delivered. Modern day graffiti
was that movement”
One of the most unique features about Futura's work was his
abstract approach to his style of graffiti. The primary focus
of the average subway artist was lettering. Futura displayed
a much broader focus; he mastered the ability to create interstellar
scenes that set him apart from his peers. Futura's aerosol strokes
could be as thin as the fine lines achieved only through the
use of an airbrush.
In the past his most prolific areas of work has been as an illustrator/designer
of record sleeves, first becoming involved with The Clash; producing
a sleeve for their Radio Clash 7" single and handwriting
the sleeve notes and lyrics sheet for their LP Combat Rock.
Years later James Lavelle resurrected his career by getting
him, to produce the artwork for several releases on Mo' Wax
records, this also led to Futura producing the imagery which
has largely defined James Lavelle's UNKLE project. Recently
much of Futura's artwork is channelled towards the production
of highly collectible toys, and during the 1990's he was heavily
involved with the clothing companies such as Subware, Phillie
Blunt, Nike, and GFS.
FUTURA
on YOUTUBE
FUTURA has shown
work at Elms Lesters Painting Rooms both in the 2004 ICYGRAPE
no.1924 exhibition and in the landmark two man show PIRATE UTOPIAS
with JOSE PARLA in 2007.
Elms Lesters
has work available by FUTURA.
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 FUTURA
MASCOT 2007
61 x 61 cm (2' x 2') mixed media on canvas
 FUTURA
NBC 2007
122 x 122 cm (4' x 4') mixed media on canvas
In 2005 Futura
designed a series of symbols and iconography for Tour de France
winner Lance Armstrong's bike and designed Nike's Lance Armstrong
10//2 clothing line; 10//2 commemorating the date when Armstrong
was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“Somehow Lance's crew got interested in me and so in late
August, Mark [Parker] called me and asked if I would be interested
in doing something creative with Lance Armstrong's bike next year…it's
not only great exposure, but also a chance to get close to an
event like the Tour and a human being like Lance, who I think
transcends his sport. He's a phenomenal individual…Lance
is a cancer survivor; coming from behind, the underdog aspect
of it, defying death and the coming back and then winning something
as difficult as the Tour de France so many times in a row. I don't
have words for how I really feel, it's very emotional."
Futura has exhibited his fine art in galleries all over the world,
and his iconic status attracts everyone from serious art collectors,
to teenage skateboarders.
In 2006, Futura appeared in the PS2 video game, Marc Ecko's Getting
Up: Contents Under Pressure.
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