Futura 'Snow Globe' Available

Artist: Futura
Title: Snow Globe
Medium: Glass + Resin on Metal Base
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 Inches
Edition: UNSURE
Prices: $60

Leonard Hilton McGurr, known professionally as Futura, is a foundational figure in the evolution of graffiti into fine art. Rising to prominence in the 1970s New York City subway scene, he distinguished himself through a radical departure from the letter-based styles of his peers. While others focused on elaborate typography, Futura pioneered an abstract aesthetic characterized by ethereal sprays, thin lines, and a sense of cosmic motion. His seminal 1980 work on a subway car, titled Break, serves as a historic milestone for introducing pure abstraction to a medium previously defined by linguistic representation.

His influence extends far beyond the transit tunnels of his youth. Throughout the 1980s, he transitioned into the traditional art world, exhibiting alongside contemporaries such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. His signature style—often featuring floating orbs, crane-like motifs, and sharp, geometric elements—found a natural home in the burgeoning hip-hop and streetwear cultures. He gained further international recognition for his live painting during the Clash’s 1981 European tour, effectively bridging the gap between American street culture and global punk movements.

In the decades since, Futura has become a prolific collaborator with major global brands, applying his distinct visual language to everything from high-fashion apparel to athletic footwear. This commercial success has not diminished his status as an innovator; instead, it has solidified his role as a bridge between the grit of the street and the prestige of contemporary galleries. Today, he remains a vital force in the art world, continuing to explore the intersection of technology, graphic design, and abstract expressionism.