GHOST GALERIE

DELTA 2

Calvin Gonzales, American
Born in 1965
DELTA 2, born amid the artistic vibrancy of Spanish Harlem, discovered the works of BAN 2, LEE, and BLADE at the age of eleven—vibrant murals that moved through New York’s subways like colorful promises. Fascinated, he grabbed his first spray can, driven by an irresistible urge to make his name known in public spaces, without belonging to any crew. The streets of New York became his canvas, where he developed his unique “bubble letters” style, inspired by the shadows of graffiti legends. DELTA’s journey was not without challenges. An independent spirit, he encountered more closed doors than open arms, facing rejection after rejection. Yet these obstacles only sharpened his resolve. Alongside MACK, he made his mark on the 6 line, eventually moving to outdoor murals, spaces offering him greater freedom and respect. With SHARP by his side, he ventured into these “outsides,” establishing himself as a bold, independent artist. During a visit to the Metropolitan Museum, marked by the mysteries of ancient civilizations, he found his name. The Egyptian Delta—a symbolic land tied to the myths of Isis and Osiris—resonated with him, echoing his identity. Combined with his childhood on 102nd Street, this name became his emblem. In the shadow of murals and canvases, DELTA reinvented himself. In 1984, encouraged by ERO, he exhibited in galleries, becoming one of the first graffiti artists to achieve international recognition. His style evolved into a form of neo-modernism, where spiritual and geometric influences converged. Mastering pen work with near-divine precision, he later turned to oil painting for greater depth. This shift to the conventional art world did not detach him from his roots. In every line and motif, he honored the legacy of early writers, distinguishing himself through meticulously detailed works imbued with a dedication to perfection. For DELTA, urban art is not mere imitation but a spontaneous language, forged in the streets and destined to live beyond the walls.
« Since I was eleven, taking the subway to visit my grandmother, I started seeing these entire train cars painted by guys like LEE and BLADE. I thought, ‘I can do that.’ Back then, I drew a lot, superheroes, comic book characters, and then I started creating my own bubble letters, all on my own, no crew, just me. » – Delta 2 « In 1984, I started painting with ERO, who was already connected to the Fun Gallery, and he introduced us to the La Placa Gallery. Within a month, I had a passport, a plane ticket to Vienna, and I was in Europe. » – Delta 2

EPOCHAL VISIONS: AN EXHAUSTIVE CHRONICLE OF WORKS BELONGING OR HAVING BELONGED TO THE GALLERY’S COLLECTIONS

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