Graffiti artist COST returns to the street art scene in New York City with new partner ENX. Originally one half of COST & REVS - the graf-writing team whose work and impact could live forever - Cost feels the timing is right for his return to the scene after a lengthy sabbatical that has left him pining for the streets that never left him and contemplating a move to the gallery scene - a world he's never really attempted to fit into or create for. He explained a bit of the reasoning behind his inclinations to J. Pablo of The Village Voice:
"You're not doing your craft for money; graffiti is about fame, really," he explains. "Which is a bad precedent if you plan on eventually earning a living as an adult. A [graffiti] writer invests so much time into racking paint, scoping spots, and scaling buildings, there's no time left for developing other skills. Beyond that, too much fame could be [counterproductive] in that you'll have entire squads of cops dedicated to getting you."
While COST was never formally embraced by or enamored of the establishment, his relationship with the world of street art was also complicated by the massive criticism he and REVS received from peers - even in the midst of their rise to fame during the 90s - who considered them inauthentic as graf writers because they did more pasting than tagging from scratch. That said, COST's work is still highly coveted across the art world and his latest posters are already being ripped from the streets he recently returned to - COST ultimately inspired by fallen comrades in the street art game and compelled by the desire to get back to getting up. COST and ENX will be showing at Doyle New York's StreetArt Auction on April 8th. Keep your eyes peeled for more.
Spotted at TVV
