Kenny Scharf (American, b.1958) LOT ID: 76472, “Trektime” (1984), Acrylic, Spray Paint, on unstretched canvas, 24 х 39.75 in (Est. US$12,000–18,000)
Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Richard Hambleton, Lee Quinones, Kenny Scharf, Futura 2000, CRASH, Taki 183, and other leaders of the first wave of international street art and graffiti stars are included in this week’s ’80s Graffiti Sale by artnet Auctions.
A fantastic mix of drawings, sculptures, collaborative pieces, and event a street sign, the sale highlights the incredible energy that was bubbling up from the streets of New York during the heady years of the 1980s before it launched across the planet to inspire new waves of street art practitioners working today. These are works from some of the original masters.
artnet Auctions is featuring the ‘80s Graffiti Sale, an auction of over 30 works by iconic street artists. The works have estimates ranging from US$1,500 to US$95,000. The sale features one of Keith Haring’s iconic subway drawings, a set of works the artist created from 1980 to 1985. Haring executed these works in chalk on unused subway advertising panels covered in black matte paper. “Untitled (Robots, Figures, and Angels),” estimated at US$75,000 to US$95,000, was taken from New York City’s 59th Street Station. The piece demonstrates the fusion of Haring’s unique style with the larger Street Art movement of the 1980s.
The sale also includes an early Futura 2000 spray paint on canvas from 1985 entitled “Cerise Clock.” The work, estimated at US$20,000 to US$30,000, exemplifies the artist’s pioneering approach to Graffiti Art. The chaotic arrangements of contrasting color, abstracted forms, and dynamic shapes echo the works Futura 2000 executed across subway trains in the late 1970s.
The ‘80s Graffiti Sale is live on artnet Auctions through December 20, 2012.
Click here to view the ‘80s Graffiti Sale
Click here to view all lots on artnet Auctions
Click here to register to bid on artnet Auctions
