Gauntlet Gallery — Cope2 Print Index
Dripping Tags (First Edition)
Summary
"Dripping Tags" is a 2025 first-edition giclee by Cope2, produced as a collaboration with Signari Gallery and Post Modern Vandal. It measures 18 x 24 inches and is printed on acid-free, 100% cotton 305gsm Moab Juniper Baryta Rag fine art paper, a premium baryta stock that carries deep blacks and crisp detail.
Why It Matters
The collaboration with Signari Gallery and Post Modern Vandal distinguishes this from Cope2's solo editions, layering an additional provenance story. The Juniper Baryta Rag substrate is a higher-end paper than the Moab Entrada he typically uses, signaling a print meant to showcase the density and drip of layered tag work.
Collector Perspective
Collaboration prints appeal to buyers tracking multiple names, so keep any accompanying collaboration documentation. The 305gsm baryta rag is a notable upgrade in materials, and the "Dripping Tags" subject foregrounds Cope2's raw tagging vocabulary rather than his cleaner bubble letters, giving it a grittier register within his catalog.
Historical Context
The tag, the handwritten signature that launched New York graffiti, is the foundational gesture of the culture Cope2 grew up in. By titling a 2025 collaboration print after dripping tags, he returns to that origin mark, reframing the most basic unit of graffiti as a deliberate fine-art composition.
FAQ
Who collaborated on this print?
It was produced in collaboration with Signari Gallery and Post Modern Vandal.
What paper is it printed on?
Acid-free 100% cotton 305gsm Moab Juniper Baryta Rag, a premium baryta fine art paper.
What size is it?
18 x 24 inches, or roughly 45.7 x 61 centimeters.
What does the subject depict?
Layered, dripping tags, referencing the handwritten signatures at the root of graffiti.
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.