Crash, John Matos

CRASH, JOHN MATOS (New York, 1961).
"Tell the truth". 2008.
Acrylic and spray on canvas.
Signed and dated on the back.
Measurements: 122 x 122 cm; 127 x 127 cm (frame).

Crash's paintings can be defined as an explosive synthesis between New York graffiti from the 80's and pop art reconfigured from the street. Crash belongs to the pioneering generation that took graffiti out of the tunnels and into the galleries without taming it, maintaining its visual force as a revulsive gesture.

Crash, born in the Bronx of New York, is a graffiti artist. Already at the early age of 13, he was spray painting New York City trains. Crash was first recognized for his murals on subway cars and abandoned buildings, and is now considered a pioneer of the graffiti art movement. His work is said to convey a "visual link between street life and established society," and in 1980, Crash curated the now iconic exhibition: "Graffiti Art Success for America" at Fashion Moda, launching the graffiti movement that has remained very active to this day. In 1983, Crash had his first gallery show by Sidney Janis at the Sidney Janis Gallery. In 1996, Crash painted an Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster and gave it to the artist as a gift. Clapton went on to use the specially designed guitar during his 2001 tour and then appeared with another. In total, Crash has created 5 guitars for Clapton, although only three of them have made public appearances. One of Clapton's "Crashocasters" (nicknamed after Eric's former guitar technician Lee Dickson) was auctioned for $321,100 (USD) under the name "Crash-3" and was used extensively during the first Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2004. Shortly thereafter, Fender Musical Instruments commissioned the creation of 50 guitars with graffiti design similar to Crash and named the line "Crashocasters." Crash also went on to design a line of custom-painted Telecasters with matching Fender amps. Other artists such as John Mayer and Ed Sheeran have used custom painted Crashocaster guitars. Crash painted another Crashocaster that Clapton played at the 2019 Crossroads Guitar Festival held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on September 20-21, 2019. In 2015, musician Ed Sheeran commissioned a collaboration between Crash and British artist Teddy M to create the 'Crash x Teddy M' Stratocaster. The guitar features Crash's famous eye design and Teddy M's Heart, and Sheeran debuted it during his sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium, London, in July 2015. In July 2006, pieces titled "Aeroplane 1" (1983) and "A-U-T-O-matic" (1985), along with other paintings from his permanent collection, were displayed at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in a featured exhibition titled "Graffiti." In 2016, a new series of spray paintings on canvas were exhibited at the JoAnne Artman Gallery in Chelsea for her solo exhibition titled, "Breaking Ground: Redefining the Urban Experience." In 2018, Crash exhibited again at the JoAnne Artman Gallery for another show, "Concrete Jungle." Additionally, in 2010, Crash was commissioned to create special limited edition luggage for TUMI, Inc. In 2019, Crash participated in New York City's "Beyond the Streets" event, which brought a massive new display of the evolution of graffiti and street art to the city that helped it become a global phenomenon.