Public Matter:
New Horizons

FUTURA

A pioneer when graffiti met contemporary art, Futura was known as early as the seventies for his radical approach in the street, introducing abstraction to an entirely letter-based discipline. His work caught the attention of the East Village Crowd in the 80s, and Futura (then Futura 2000) found himself part of a wider art movement that included the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Julian Schnabel. Radical then, his methodology can now be viewed over the span of decades as something consummately pure. When compared to the many street artists who have come along since, Futura's work still stands apart for its subtlety, use of white space, and elemental quality. The artist knows all that is needed - as it was at the beginning - are clouds of primary color, arresting movement, and skillful tricks with a spray can. Insight and proficiency have kept him relevant for 40+ years with no signs of slowing down, and successors have yet to match Futura's impossibly thin aerosol lines. The works are united by a black backdrop, bright palette and energetic strokes; and will stand as testament to Futura's continuing influence in the dynamic space between high and low art.