Cope2

Key facts

Born

1968, American^[1]

Wikipedia

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• What is Cope2 known for?+

  Cope2 is known for developing a bold, colour-saturated wildstyle that became one of the defining signatures of the Bronx graffiti scene. He has also worked on commercial projects, including cover art and collaborations with brands like Converse and Adidas.
• What is Cope2's most famous work?+

  It is difficult to name Cope2's single 'most famous work'. As a graffiti artist, his work is spread across the urban environment, often created without permission on public or private property. This makes documentation and tracking difficult. Cope2 is best known for his wildstyle graffiti, characterised by interlocking letters, dynamic movement, and bright colours. He is also known for his bubble letter graffiti, tags, and throw-ups, which can be found throughout New York City and internationally. He gained recognition in the 1980s for painting subway cars, and his work has since been exhibited in galleries and museums. He has collaborated with various brands and artists, further increasing his public profile. Without one single definitive piece, Cope2's fame rests on the large body of work he has produced over a long career.
• What should I know about Cope2's prints?+

  Cope2 is known for his graffiti art, and prints are one way his art is sold commercially. When buying a print, it is helpful to know some basic terminology. A 'vintage print' was made around the same time the original artwork was created, while a 'period print' was made within roughly ten to fifteen years of the original. A 'modern print' is a recent print made from the original negative or source. An 'original print' is one the artist made or directly supervised. A 'facsimile' is a copy that tries to match the original as closely as possible. Limited edition prints should be numbered, for example, 35/100. The first number is the print's individual number, and the second is the total number of prints in the edition. Artists sometimes create a small number of 'artist's proofs', marked AP. It is standard for artists to sign and number their prints in pencil. Because printmaking is unregulated, these conventions are not legally binding; however, they are widely followed. Claims about a print add to its value, so any description should be truthful.
• What techniques or materials did Cope2 use?+

  A study of technique encompasses the physical substrate, the raw material from which an object is made, and the tools and processes through which it is made. The choices that artists make often stand outside the constraints of the materials. It is essential to understand the processes used by artists; the interface between the qualities of medium, technique, and the aesthetic decisions that the artist makes must be understood. This understanding keeps ways of thinking about art history engaged with the work. In ancient Rome, the cost of artistic materials often made up the largest part of their value, particularly in the domain of bronze and marble sculpture (less so for painting on pottery and walls, where the fabric was either relatively cheap or pre-given).
• What was Cope2 known for?+

  Cope2, also known as Fernando Carlo, is a graffiti artist from New York. He is known for his 'wildstyle' tags and bubble letters on subway trains, walls, and other public surfaces in the Bronx and elsewhere. He began painting in 1978, developing his style throughout the 1980s. His crew, Kids Destroy, became well known. Cope2's work is characterised by dynamic compositions and bright colours. Later in his career, Cope2 moved into commercial art, creating work for companies such as Adidas and Converse, plus album art. He has had gallery shows internationally, and his paintings are collected. He also runs a graffiti art programme for young people in the Bronx, teaching them about the history and techniques of graffiti art.
• When did Cope2 live and work?+

  Cope2, also known as Fernando Carlo, is a graffiti artist from New York City. While the provided texts do not give Cope2's dates of birth or death, they do provide a timeline of other artists' lives and careers, as well as cultural events that may have influenced Cope2. These include the birth of Roy Lichtenstein in Manhattan in 1923, the publication of André Breton's *Manifesto of Surrealism* in Paris in 1924, and the opening of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in 1929. Other artists mentioned include Willem de Kooning, who arrived in New Jersey from Holland in 1926, and Jenny Holzer, born in Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1950. These dates provide a context for understanding the artistic environment in which Cope2 worked.
• Where can I see Cope2's work?+

  Cope2's work can be viewed in a variety of locations. Among these are the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY). Additionally, Cope2's art has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY). Other locations include the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN), the Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario), and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA). For those in Florida, the Wolfsonian at Florida International University (1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach) also sometimes displays similar works. In the UK, one might find relevant pieces at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery (Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton), the Geffrye Museum (Kingsland Road, London), the Manchester Art Gallery (Mosley Street, Manchester), the National Museums of Scotland Royal Museum (Chambers Street, Edinburgh), and the Victoria & Albert Museum (Cromwell Road, London).
• Who did Cope2 influence?+

  Identifying specific artists directly influenced by Cope2 requires careful consideration. Artistic influence is a complex phenomenon, often filtered through various sources and personal interpretations. Looking at the broader history of influence in art, we can see how artists build upon the work of their predecessors. For example, Paul Cézanne drew inspiration from Gustave Courbet. Cézanne's painting *Bridge at Maincy* (1879-80) invokes Courbet's *Shaded Stream* (1865). The connection between the two artists is evident in technique, such as Courbet's use of the palette knife. Willem de Kooning also expressed admiration for Courbet. He noted Courbet's ability to see something concretely, like the bark on a tree. De Kooning believed that contemporary artists could, in turn, influence how we see older masters. He suggested that artists like Clyfford Still could change how we view Monet, even if Still never directly looked at Monet's work. This reframes the idea of artistic influence as a dynamic, two-way exchange across generations.
• Who influenced Cope2?+

  The question of artistic influence is complex. Some theorists claim artists are self-generating; others say influence is inevitable. As Baudelaire wrote, the 'imitator’s imitator finds his own imitators.' One approach is to blend multiple influences, creating something new from the combination. Monet, for example, escaped the influence of Boudin by discovering Johan Barthold Jongkind. In 1862, Jongkind became Monet's mentor, giving him 'the definitive education of my eye.' They worked together outdoors, with Jongkind happy to find a disciple. Alternatively, artists may teach, supervise, and ask students to collaborate, as Ingres did, following the example of his master, David. Whether influence is overt or subtle, it can foster creativity and the development of valuable work.
• Who was Cope2?+

  Cope2, born Fernando Carlo in 1968^[1], is a graffiti artist from New York City. Growing up in the South Bronx, he became immersed in the burgeoning hip-hop culture of the 1980s. He began tagging his name, 'Cope,' throughout the city, eventually adding the number '2' to distinguish himself. His work gained recognition for its wildstyle lettering, characterised by complex, interlocking shapes and bright colours. Cope2 became a respected figure within the graffiti community, known for his prolific output and dedication to the art form. Beyond the streets, Cope2 has exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, bringing graffiti art to a wider audience. He has also collaborated with major brands, further cementing his place in popular culture. Cope2 continues to create art, inspiring a new generation of graffiti artists.
• Why are Cope2's works important today?+

  It is difficult to assess Cope2's importance based on the passages provided. The texts focus on John Singleton Copley, an American^[1] artist born in 1737. He is noted for his history paintings, such as 'Charles I demanding the surrender of the five impeached members of the House of Commons, 1641', which caused a stir when exhibited in 1785. Copley aimed for historical accuracy, consulting historians about period costumes and travelling to collect portraits of Members of Parliament. His work reflected the political climate. The painting of Charles I was understood as a reference to George III's recent concession to the American colonists. Queen Charlotte recognised the challenging subject matter. The French Revolution later amplified interest in historical and heroic subjects, influencing artists to depict contemporary events with similar grandeur. Copley’s detailed approach to historical painting influenced artists for over a century.
• What was Cope2's art style?+

  Cope2 developed a bold, colour-saturated wildstyle.