It has been a long time since FUNCO aka FUNC88, has been bracing the vertical surfaces of Paris and the world with his name. As a prolific member of the ULTRABOYS Crew, he has worked his way through a collection of his favorite Montana GOLD, BLACK, SILVERCHROME, ULTRAWIDE, and now TARBLACK cans in the search for a new way to create. During this time it was not only his preference for the type of cans that changed, so too has his style, his approach, and his ethos toward graffiti. What was once a classic endeavor for graffiti style writing perfection has become a more instinctive and organic process where the only judge of his work worth taking into consideration is himself.
Upon reflecting on the works made in 2022, FUNCO has also put pen to paper to give us a little more insight into how he himself sees the work he creates today. This is what he had to say.
“As time flies, I tend to see beauty in different places when it comes to shapes and forms. In 2022 I didn’t see letters, composition, and piecing like I used to. Nor did I comprehend it anymore as I previously did.It may sound weird but my usual letter tracing and painting routine felt obsolete. It was repetitive and I want more than this from my artwork, or at least I want to try to do things differently and have more fun with it.
FUNCO
The work has become some form of decayed graffiti
I started to make all my pre-programmed graffiti patterns disappear and attempt to camouflage everything. I call these last paintings ‘Corroded Culbutos’. They are not necessarily well balanced, didn’t follow a logical structure (if we talk about standards), and appeared to be all burned out and nibbled on. Possibly, they relate more to elements within nature like blobs, humus, or rotted roots. The work has become some form of decayed graffiti.
FUNCO
I started to create paintings based on feelings
I came to a point where I started letting my mind roam free with all my gestures. I started to create paintings based on feelings rather than following traditional steps in the search of an expected result. I need a bit of surprise in the action of painting and I’m not against a little help from the elements (rain/wind or whatever…) It always makes things interesting.
FUNCO
Even my tools have changed, I’m not concerned anymore about a particular cap, I go with whatever comes on the can or is in my bag at the time.
Recently, I fell in love with the Montana TARBLACK cans and they have since become one of my favorites! ULTRAWIDE help me to add texture on a large scale and I used them mixed with other Montana BLACK colors on a regular basis.
I have a different approach to my paintings these days that is probably quite noticeable. I’m not rejecting my previous graffiti practice or trying to get rid of it. It’s just that for me, an evolution has occurred. Or even a mutation. I assume a few resurgent bits and pieces can be seen under those new potato-like forms and their accompanying corrosive color clouds”.
FUNCO
It’s a bold move to step away from the classic pre-programmed aesthetic beauty of graffiti and focus on another type of beauty that is connected more to how it feels rather than how it looks. But if anyone seems to be doing this successfully, it’s FUNCO. We look forward to seeing where this journey takes him.
