COMET -YES2 - Collaborative Painting
Like many graffiti writers, John "COMET" Russo began painting subway trains at a very young age. COMET was one of the early writers and starting back in 1971 when graffiti was in its infancy. COMET along with others paved the way for other writers of that era and gave the graffiti community a solid foundation to build on. During his run on the trains, he had 4 talented and artistic partners, "SILVER TIPS", "BILLY 167", "CLIFF 159" AND OF COURSE "BLADE 1". COMET and BLADE took over the #2 and #5 train lines back in 1974. Their reign as kings lasted for 7 years up till 1981. No other writer ever held these train lines that long.They were true kings. At the age of 50, COMET returned to his passion once again, and turned to the canvas to start his new battle above ground.
YES2
Graffiti artist YES2 was inspired by the images he saw painted on the cities subways and in its streets in the New York of the 1980’s. Giving in to his desire to join in on the beautiful destruction he began creating his own works in the streets using spray paint in 1986. Painting feverishly in NYC in the late 80’s, through the 90’s and into the new millennium, YES2 has become a well recognized and influential figure not only in his native NY but also in the global Graffiti community. Beginning travels abroad in 1996, the artist has painted in the streets of Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Canada, as well as various cities in the U.S.
Known for what some call a typical NY style of graffiti lettering, the artist has fun continually re-inventing his style while still maintaining the signature aggressive, dynamic, and energetic graffiti look, with a pinch of wit and a sprinkle of ‘I don’t give a shit’. Never finding the time to slow down, YES2 continues to live in NYC and create his work in varying forms and on various surfaces throughout the world.