John Crash Matos
Artist Profile
Details
Aliases:CRASHER, KRASH
Started: 1975 Primary affiliations: BLS, CIA Local origin: Bronx
Main lines: 1s, 3s, 5s,2s 6s
Started: 1975 Primary affiliations: BLS, CIA Local origin: Bronx
Main lines: 1s, 3s, 5s,2s 6s
Bio
CRASH first became involved in graffiti in the mid 1970s. Around 1977 he significantly increased the volume of his work on the subway. 1978 to 1981 marked the most abundant and creative period of his subway work. During this time he produced numerous spectacular window-down whole cars. He teamed up with many of the era’s most celebrated writers including KEL 139, DAZE and others.
Around 1980 he began to transition his work from subways to galleries, curating notable exhibitions such as Graffiti Art Success at the Fashion Moda Gallery in the Bronx. His work has been showcased in many historical graffiti art exhibitions. In 1983 his work was included in Post Graffiti, a groundbreaking exhibition at the Sidney Janis Gallery in New York. The exhibit also included works by LEE Quinones, BEAR 167, NOC 167, DAZE Jean-Michel Basquiat, RAMMELLZEE and others. CRASH was included in New York Graffiti Art: Coming from the Subway at the Groninger Museum in Amsterdam in 1992.
CRASH has remained active in the fine arts arena, exhibiting and selling work across the world.
He is the co-owner of Wallworks New York, an art gallery celebrating the creative atmosphere of The Bronx.
In addition to fine arts, CRASH has engaged in partnerships with many high profile brands including Absolut Vodka, Tumi luggage, Levi’s and Fender Guitars. The Fender project featured "Crashocasters" a series of custom painted Fender Stratocaster guitars. Muscians such as Eric Clapton, Ed Sheehan and John Mayer own Crashocasters.
Today CRASH continues to produce large scale public works which still possess the vivid color and energy he produced on subways. CRASH maintains the lettering and image abstraction that many writers feel are crucial to the art form. He continues to innovate.
Visit crashone.com
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Around 1980 he began to transition his work from subways to galleries, curating notable exhibitions such as Graffiti Art Success at the Fashion Moda Gallery in the Bronx. His work has been showcased in many historical graffiti art exhibitions. In 1983 his work was included in Post Graffiti, a groundbreaking exhibition at the Sidney Janis Gallery in New York. The exhibit also included works by LEE Quinones, BEAR 167, NOC 167, DAZE Jean-Michel Basquiat, RAMMELLZEE and others. CRASH was included in New York Graffiti Art: Coming from the Subway at the Groninger Museum in Amsterdam in 1992.
CRASH has remained active in the fine arts arena, exhibiting and selling work across the world.
He is the co-owner of Wallworks New York, an art gallery celebrating the creative atmosphere of The Bronx.
In addition to fine arts, CRASH has engaged in partnerships with many high profile brands including Absolut Vodka, Tumi luggage, Levi’s and Fender Guitars. The Fender project featured "Crashocasters" a series of custom painted Fender Stratocaster guitars. Muscians such as Eric Clapton, Ed Sheehan and John Mayer own Crashocasters.
Today CRASH continues to produce large scale public works which still possess the vivid color and energy he produced on subways. CRASH maintains the lettering and image abstraction that many writers feel are crucial to the art form. He continues to innovate.
Visit crashone.com
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
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