With over four decades of experience in graffiti, he is known and highly recognized as one of the first subway writers / artists to begin painting on canvas and exhibiting in galleries. His early work in the 70's and 80's played a huge role in the development of graffiti and the evolution of the art movement. He paints continuously and also speaks on many panels (Museum of the City of New York, City Lore, etc.) regarding the art form and the glory days of "the trains."
John "CRASH" Matos
An inspiring fact is that CRASH continues to create his works freehand, spray painting all of the images with bright colors. "Broken English" features large canvases - some with neon sign advertising, a series of small works on paper and most notably upon entrance to the gallery, a vintage 1975 Mini Cooper that has been fully restored, detailed, customized and painted by the artist and is yes, is fully functional.
All of the works and the car will be on exhibit through July 26, 2014 at Jonathan Levine Gallery at 557C West 23rd Street (one of the gallery's two locations.)
A few days prior, I caught Crash in action at the Stanton / Suffolk St. wall on the lower east side, brought to us by The L.I.S.A. Project NYC...
Visit http://jonathanlevinegallery.com & http://www.crashone.com / @crashone on Instagram, for more information and to see the artists' continuous evolution of work.