Many researchers consider the graffiti artist John Matos, also known under the pseudonym Crash, to be the pioneer of street art. He was born in 1961 in Bronx, New York. He began to create graffiti at the age of 13, painting subway cars and dilapidated buildings. In 1980, Matos organized the ground-breaking exhibition “Graffiti Art Success for America” at the Fashion Moda in New York, and in 1981 he exhibited his work in Amsterdam. His murals adorn the streets of the Little Italy neighborhood in New York and the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Canada.
Like most graffiti artists, Crash started out with simple lettering. Over time, his work became more and more complex, and gradually he started working on canvas. The artist usually makes a sketch first and then sprays several layers of paint one on top of the other.
Crash often includes his nickname into his works, combining it with images of cars, airplanes, bombs — something pops up, explodes and rumbles in his paintings. Some of his works address political issues, for example, they might warn about the atomic threat.
In 1996, the famous British rock musician Eric Clapton commissioned the artist to design his guitar. The next customer was the English musician Ed Sheeran. In over 20 years, Crash completed the design of 50 guitars. The famous American firm “Fender” for its “Stratocaster” and “Telecaster” models patented his design: these guitars were presented at a special exhibition in 2009. Crash also designed the Lucky Strike brand cigarettes in 1995, the TUMI Inc suitcases in 2010 and ASH Footwear in 2014.
The Russian Museum displays the early work “Tank No. 1”, made in the style of a comic strip. Matos depicted a tank, which references the “Tank Girl” comic book that was popular in the 1980s, as well as to the word “Crash” — the use of onomatopoeia conveys the sound of destruction and explosion. Later, John Matos chose this word as his pseudonym. The painting resembles New York subway graffiti.
Like most graffiti artists, Crash started out with simple lettering. Over time, his work became more and more complex, and gradually he started working on canvas. The artist usually makes a sketch first and then sprays several layers of paint one on top of the other.
Crash often includes his nickname into his works, combining it with images of cars, airplanes, bombs — something pops up, explodes and rumbles in his paintings. Some of his works address political issues, for example, they might warn about the atomic threat.
In 1996, the famous British rock musician Eric Clapton commissioned the artist to design his guitar. The next customer was the English musician Ed Sheeran. In over 20 years, Crash completed the design of 50 guitars. The famous American firm “Fender” for its “Stratocaster” and “Telecaster” models patented his design: these guitars were presented at a special exhibition in 2009. Crash also designed the Lucky Strike brand cigarettes in 1995, the TUMI Inc suitcases in 2010 and ASH Footwear in 2014.
The Russian Museum displays the early work “Tank No. 1”, made in the style of a comic strip. Matos depicted a tank, which references the “Tank Girl” comic book that was popular in the 1980s, as well as to the word “Crash” — the use of onomatopoeia conveys the sound of destruction and explosion. Later, John Matos chose this word as his pseudonym. The painting resembles New York subway graffiti.
