Cope2-Curated Group Show “The Authenticity” Opens at One Art Space, Marks Shepard Fairey’s Return to Tribeca Gallery

One Art Space in Tribeca opens “The Authenticity” on September 5, a 17-artist group exhibition curated by graffiti writer Cope2 that marks Shepard Fairey’s first appearance at the gallery in ten years, according to a release from One Art Space.

Cope2, born Carlo Jr. and active in South Bronx graffiti culture since 1978, organized the show around artists he describes as drawing on outside influences while staying rooted in their own style. “I feel that what they do is authentic. Every artist is inspired by every other artist,” Cope2 said in the release. “Even me, I learned from graffiti writers in the ’70s, but what these artists do that I like is they draw from other sources, but they’re still authentic.”

The lineup includes Fairey, Danny Cortes, Mark Bode, Scien and Klor of 123KLAN, Mqizm, Stash, Cope2, Valeri Larko, Joe Iurato, Eye Sticker, Delta2, Dain, CortesNYC, Claytonles, Rebecca Marley, Wane One and Indie184. The release describes the visual through-line as bright color and bold imagery, pointing to Fairey’s OBEY giant, Eye Sticker’s neon-pink figurative work and Mqizm’s painted mailboxes. Gallery co-owners Mei Fung and MaryAnn Giella McCulloh said they were looking forward to bringing Fairey’s original work back to the space.

The exhibition runs September 5 through September 18 at One Art Space, 23 Warren St. in Tribeca. A VIP reception is set for September 4 from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by a public opening reception September 5, also 6 to 9 p.m.

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