A-One
The touch
1982
Spray paint and felt pen on canvas. 76 x 101 cm. Framed. Signed 'A.I'. Verso on canvas signed, dated and titled 'A-One The Touch 17/23/82'.
Inspired by his friend Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), A-One became one of the youngest artists ever to participate in the Venice Biennale. This was during the 12th edition in 1984 under the direction of Maurizio Calvesi.
Born in New York in 1964, he started painting at the early age of six. Nevertheless, he decided to study architecture. During this period, he became a member of the Tmk crew, “the Tag Master Killers”, including members Toxic, Delta, Koor and Rammellzee. He spray painted on the streets but he also worked on canvas in his studio. His first big exhibition was held in New York in the 1980s at the Fashion Moda gallery, during which he proclaimed:
"The Deadly A-One standing on the top of A mountain of dreams, telling myself the broil isn't as hard as it seems! Colors: bake, burn, sizzle, roast, grill and broil". A-One died in Paris at the age of 37 from complications of a brain hemorrhage.
Provenance
Collection Geertjan Visser, Retie; Groninger Museum, Groningen - on loan until 2010 (verso on sticker); private collection, Brussels