APC ART is pleased to offer our global collector base this exceptional and incredibly rare early work by Crash (John Matos) — “Frustration” (Green Variant), 1997.

This striking piece is a hand-pulled silkscreen in colors on aluminum panel, hand-finished with green glitter by the artist himself. Measuring 40 x 28 x 2 inches, it is signed, dated, and numbered en verso in black marker from an extremely limited edition of only 12. Self-published by the artist, this rare variant captures a pivotal moment in Crash’s evolution from graffiti prodigy to internationally acclaimed contemporary artist.

Born in the Bronx in 1961, John “Crash” Matos began painting New York City subway cars at just 13 years old. By the 1980s, he had become one of the defining figures of the American graffiti movement, exhibiting alongside Keith Haring, Dondi White, Futura, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. His early shows, including Graffiti Art Success for America (1980), marked the first time street art was formally introduced into the gallery environment. Crash’s dynamic visual language — combining comic book energy, pop culture symbolism, and sharp color blocking — has since become a cornerstone of contemporary urban art.

Frustration (Green Variant) embodies the core themes of Crash’s practice: the tension between creativity and chaos, the collision of fine art and graffiti, and the emotional pulse of the city itself. The imagery — a cartoon figure in mid-fall beneath a giant eye and brushstroke — reflects both humor and self-awareness. The addition of hand-applied glitter not only heightens the visual drama but also references graffiti’s unapologetic celebration of color and shine.

This work’s rarity cannot be overstated. With only 12 examples ever produced, and each hand-finished by the artist, this series represents one of Crash’s smallest and most sought-after editions. Works from this period are increasingly scarce, and collectors recognize the 1990s as a critical era bridging Crash’s underground origins with his institutional recognition. His pieces are now held in the Museum of Modern Art (New York), Brooklyn Museum, Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam), and the Boca Raton Museum of Art, among others, and have been acquired by numerous high-profile private collections worldwide.

As Crash’s market continues to rise, particularly for early and hand-finished works, this piece represents an outstanding investment opportunity. It captures both historical significance and aesthetic brilliance — the very hallmarks of lasting value in contemporary collecting.

The work is in excellent condition, preserved to archival standards since its creation. It is in hand and will ship immediately from the USA.

APC ART is pleased to offer archival framing options upon request, utilizing museum-grade materials and UV-protective glazing to ensure longevity and presentation quality.

OFFERED EXCLUSIVELY BY APC ART
MIA. ATL. NYC. LONDON. PARIS. LA. TOKYO.

Provenance
Private collection; New York, NY, USA. 
GIFTED TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER BY THE ARTIST IN 1997.

Included with the work will be a certificate of authenticity from APC ART (with the gallery’s blind stamp), guaranteeing authenticity in perpetuity. 

Condition
The work is in excellent condition. The work shows extremely well. Colors bright & Vibrant. Aluminum panel in great shape. Very rare work.