C.A Wisely 'Wild Style' Movie Poster

Artist: C.A Wisely
Title: Wild Style
Medium: Giclee Print
Size: 24 x 36 Inches
Edition: 25
Price: $150

 

C.A. Wisely is an acclaimed painter from Ghana who is widely recognized for his masterful contributions to the tradition of hand-painted movie posters. Based in a studio in Teshie, Accra, Wisely has become a leading figure in the evolution of this unique West African art form, which originated during the mobile cinema era of the late 1980s. His work is characterized by exceptional portraiture and dramatic, often surreal interpretations of global cinema and popular culture. Unlike the rapid digital productions of the modern era, Wisely utilizes labor-intensive techniques, often painting on recycled flour sacks with oil and locally mixed house paints to create large-scale, one-of-a-kind artworks.

The artist has gained international prominence through his partnership with the Chicago-based Deadly Prey Gallery, which has helped bring his talent to a global audience of collectors and fans. Wisely’s portfolio includes reimagined posters for a vast array of films, ranging from cult classics like The Terminator and Alien to arthouse works by directors such as David Lynch and Wes Anderson. His ability to capture likenesses with such precision has even led to public defenses of his skill against claims of digital manipulation, proving the technical prowess he brings to his craft. Beyond film posters, he has expanded into creating portraits of sports icons and alternative music posters, such as his distinctive takes on Grateful Dead imagery. Today, his original canvases and limited edition prints are highly sought after by galleries and private collectors worldwide.

Wild Style Zine Available

Artist: Wild Style
Title: Wild Style Zine
Medium: Softcover 92 Page Zine
Size: 8.5 x 11 Inches
Edition: UNSURE
Price: $40

 

Released in 1983, Charlie Ahearn’s Wild Style is widely regarded as the first authentic hip-hop motion picture, serving as a vital historical document that immortalized the movement before it reached global commercialization. The film’s influence on breakdancing (b-boying) was transformative, as it provided a visual blueprint for the dance’s acrobatic evolution. By featuring real-life pioneers rather than professional actors, it captured the raw energy of South Bronx street culture and exported it to international audiences. This exposure helped spark a worldwide phenomenon, directly inspiring the first generation of breakers in countries like Japan and Germany.

The movie’s impact was driven by its legendary cast of artists and dancers who played versions of themselves. At the center of the breakdancing movement was the Rock Steady Crew, featuring icons like Crazy Legs, Ken Swift, and Frosty Freeze, whose athletic floor moves and headspins became the gold standard for the genre. The narrative follows the journey of protagonist Raymond "Zoro", played by pioneering graffiti artist Lee Quiñones, alongside his love interest Rose, portrayed by the "First Lady of Graffiti," Lady Pink. Other seminal figures included Fab 5 Freddy, who acted as the film's musical and cultural consultant, and the legendary Grandmaster Flash, who showcased his foundational turntablism skills. Together with rap crews like the Cold Crush Brothers and Fantastic Freaks, these artists helped Wild Style define hip-hop as a unified culture of four pillars: MCing, DJing, graffiti, and breaking.

Kenny Random 'Wild Crisis' Prints Release Details

Here are the next two print releases called 'Wild Crisis' by artist Kenny Random. This is a brilliant take on on the greatest movies of all time 'Wild Style'. This wicked hip hop homage is available in two different ways, both are 70 x 70cm giclees that comes signed and numbered by the artist. The version above is the regular release of 100 on 200GSM paper for €100 each. The version below is the hand applied gold leaf edition of 25 on thicker 250GSM paper with an edition size of only 25 for €500 each. This will be available online at 4pm EST on Friday October 7th. Be quick, this like all his releases will not last very long!

Check it out HERE