Futura 2000

Futura 2000 (born 1955) is one of the most famous graffiti artists. He started to paint illegally on New York's subway in the early seventies, working with other artists such as ALI. More recently, he is a respected designer/gallery artist. One of the most unique features about Futura's work was his abstract approach to his style of graffiti. The primary focus of the average subway artist was lettering. Futura displayed a much broader focus; he mastered the ability to create interstellar scenes that set him apart from his peers. Futura's aerosol strokes could be as thin as the fine lines achieved only through the use of an airbrush.

His most prolific work is as an illustrator/designer of record sleeves, first becoming involved with The Clash; producing a sleeve for their Radio Clash 7" single and handwriting the sleeve notes and lyrics sheet for their LP Combat Rock. Years later James Lavelle resurrected his career by getting him, alongside Ben Drury, to produce the artwork for several releases on Mo' Wax records, this also led to Futura producing the imagery which has largely defined James Lavelle's UNKLE project. Recently much of Futura's artwork is channeled towards the production of highly collectible toys, and during the 1990's he was heavily involved with the clothing companies such as Subware, Phillie Blunt, Zoo York, Nike, and GFS.

Appearances in other media

Futura 2000 has appeared in:

• The 2006 video game Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure as himself.
• John Mayer's 2006 music video "Waiting on the World to Change", alongside graffiti artists DAZE and the Tats Cru.
• DJ Mehdi's 2002 music video "Breakaway", seen covering an entire room with his signature tags in black marker and spray paint.
• Emile de Antonio's 1982 film In the King of Prussia as himself, creating the film's opening title as a graffiti mural.
• The Swedish rappers Looptroop mention Futura 2000 in their song "Adrenaline Rush" off their 5th album Modern Day City Symphony (2000).
• In the 2005 film "Just For Kicks", about sneaker culture in hip hop, as himself.
• On the album MiLight Futura's voice can be heard giving a shoutout to artist DJ Krush.

External links

• [1]
• Futura 2000
• Futura 2000 @ RTHQ
• Futura 2000 @ 5th Dimension
• Futura 2000 @ 149st
• Futura 2000 @ about.com

Donate to Wikimedia