Piece 

Cope2 made this piece with spray paint, in the Bronx, sometime after his birth in 1968. Here we see a striking example of wildstyle graffiti, a complex and interwoven layering of letters and shapes. The tags and symbols around the main piece serve as signatures and dedications, marking this as part of a broader culture. Born Fernando Carlo, Cope2 emerged from the New York City graffiti scene of the late 1970s and 80s. This was a period of immense social and economic change. Artists like Cope2 created in a city on the brink, claiming public space as their canvas, often in defiance of legal and social norms. Their work became a visual representation of marginalized voices and urban struggles. Understanding graffiti requires us to move beyond formal analysis and delve into the socio-political context of its creation. We need to consult primary sources like interviews with artists, historical records of urban development, and legal documents relating to graffiti. This approach reveals how art can challenge existing social norms and give voice to the disenfranchised.