Train 1984

This graffitied train was made by Cope2, who was born Billy Burgos in 1968. Cope2 is a New York City graffiti artist known for his wildstyle lettering and vibrant color schemes. The act of tagging subway cars became both a creative outlet and a defiant act for marginalized youth in the Bronx during the 1970s and 80s. Amidst urban decay, graffiti became a visual assertion of presence and identity. This train can be viewed through an intersectional lens. For many, the act of tagging, running, and bombing trains was about more than just an attention grab. It was about the adrenaline, the feeling of accomplishment, and the community that formed around graffiti. It's a blend of the personal and the political, rooted in the socio-economic conditions of the time. The artwork is not just about surface aesthetics; it's about the complex interplay of identity, power, and resistance within a specific cultural context.