Gauntlet Gallery — Cope2 Print Index
Photograff
Summary
Photograff, from 2016, is a square 18 x 18 inch archival pigment print on 290gsm Moab Rag in an edition of 50. The title fuses photography and graffiti, and the work leans into a layered, image-driven treatment of Cope2's lettering rather than a clean throw-up. It is a compact, contained composition well suited to intimate wall placement.
Why It Matters
The Photograff concept nods to graffiti's long, uneasy partnership with the camera, the medium that carried subway pieces beyond their brief life on the trains. For an artist rooted in ephemeral work, translating that documentary sensibility into a fixed print is a knowing gesture about how graffiti survives.
Collector Perspective
An edition of 50 places this in the mid-scarcity band for Cope2 prints, tighter than his 75-run releases. The square format and heavier conceptual framing give it distinct shelf presence. Collectors should confirm signature and numbering, and weigh it as a considered studio work rather than a straightforward tag reproduction.
Historical Context
Produced in 2016 during a productive stretch of studio releases, Photograff reflects Cope2's ongoing move from street to gallery. The title itself speaks to the generation of photographers, from Martha Cooper onward, who preserved a graffiti scene that authorities were actively erasing.
FAQ
What does the title Photograff mean?
It combines photography and graffiti, referencing how the camera preserved ephemeral street work and blurring the line between documentation and art.
How large is the edition?
Photograff was released in an edition of 50, tighter than several of Cope2's 75-run prints.
What paper is it printed on?
It is an archival pigment print on 290gsm Moab Rag fine art paper.
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.