Gauntlet Gallery — Cope2 Print Index
Detroit Stencil Series
Summary
The Detroit Stencil Series, from 2013, is a varied edition of 20, aerosol on cradled wood panels at 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches. Each piece carries different background and throw-up colors, making every one distinct. Tied to an Inner State Gallery opening, it is a hand-sprayed object series rather than a flat print.
Why It Matters
A varied edition where each panel differs in color gives collectors genuinely individual works within a coherent series. The Detroit and Inner State Gallery connection anchors the pieces to a specific exhibition moment, adding provenance and situating Cope2 within the broader mural and street-art ecosystem of that city.
Collector Perspective
Twenty hand-sprayed panels, each color-unique on cradled wood, place this in a scarce, high-craft tier above flat prints. The exhibition tie strengthens provenance. Because color varies per piece, the specific example matters to value. Confirm signature, numbering, and aerosol authenticity, and assess the wood panel's condition.
Historical Context
Debuting around a November opening at Detroit's Inner State Gallery in 2013, this series reflects Cope2's presence in a city that became a hub for large-scale street art. The stencil-and-aerosol method on wood extends graffiti technique into gallery-ready sculptural objects.
FAQ
Why is it called a varied edition?
Each of the 20 pieces has different background and throw-up colors, so no two panels are identical.
What is the format?
Aerosol on cradled wood panels measuring 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches, a dimensional object rather than a flat print.
What is the gallery connection?
The series was tied to an opening at Inner State Gallery in Detroit in November 2013.
About the Artist
Cope2 (Fernando Carlo, born 1968 in the Bronx, New York) is a graffiti writer who began tagging New York City subway trains in the late 1970s. A veteran of the transit-era writing scene, he built his reputation through prolific throw-ups and bombing before transitioning to gallery work and canvases. His signature bubble-lettered tag has appeared worldwide, and he has collaborated with brands including Adidas, Time magazine, and Converse. Cope2 remains an active figure bridging old-school New York graffiti culture with the contemporary urban-art market.
Collecting Cope2 at Gauntlet Gallery
What should I look for when buying a Cope2 print?
Focus on hand-signed and numbered screen prints or giclees, ideally released through recognized publishers or the artist directly. Check the edition size, the pencil signature, and any embossed or blindstamp marks. Spray-painted originals on canvas or found objects command higher prices but require closer provenance review. At Gauntlet Gallery, each Cope2 piece is documented with its edition details and condition notes.
How is a Cope2 work authenticated?
Cope2 works are typically authenticated through the issuing publisher's certificate of authenticity, the hand signature, and traceable provenance from a gallery or the artist's studio. Because his tag has been widely imitated, matching a signed print to a documented edition is the most reliable path. Gauntlet Gallery pairs each work with its supporting documentation and does not claim any third-party authority the artist does not use.
What drives value in Cope2 works?
Value is driven by medium (unique spray-painted originals over open editions), edition scarcity, condition, and cultural significance tied to his subway-era history. Early or historically documented pieces and notable brand collaborations carry premiums. Signed, numbered, low-edition prints in excellent condition hold value best on the secondary market.