Collection: Eric Orr

Eric Orr is an artist from New York City. He pioneered the substitutive style of graffiti art in the late '70s, eschewing "writing" in favour of visual iconography, and in the process, created the distinctive robot that would become his signature and alter-ego. In 1984, he collaborated with pop artist Keith Haring on a series of drawings in the NYC subways that featured his "Max Robot head" character alongside Haring's iconic "radiant baby", becoming the only artist to ever collaborate with Keith Haring in the New York City subway system. In 1986, he created and published four issues of his "Rappin' Max Robot" comic book which went on to become the world's first Hip-Hop comic book.

He has designed and illustrated images, covers, and logos for musical artists including Jazzy Jay, Busy Bee, Positive K, Jazzy Joyce, Masters Of Ceremony, Ultimate Force, Lord Finesse, Diamond D, and Diggin' In The Crates (D.I.T.C.); worked with and exhibited alongside such notables as Futura, Seen, Doze, and Kaws; and his work has been featured in publications including Juxtapoz, Mass Appeal, Sketchel, Complex, and the International Graffiti Times. In 2014, his personal archives were acquired by Cornell University for the Hip-Hop collection in their archive of rare books and manuscripts, and in 2015, Columbia University added copies of his works to their permanent collection.

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UPCOMING COLLABORATION

STOWE EDITIONS
Eric Orr X Keith Haring - Untitled TVs

Hand pulled screen print on Black MV woven paper with chalk finish
Hand torn edges 
48 x 87 cm
Edition of 250
Signed & numbered 

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  • Eric Orr - Back to Basics
    21 May 2021

    Stowe Gallery is delighted to be the first UK gallery to represent the NYC based artist Eric Orr. His show in 2021 “Back to Basics” showcased a collection of original artworks, each with a particular history inspired by the series of drawings Eric did with Keith Haring in the NYC subways circa ‘84 whilst also sharing similarities to the pieces shown alongside Basquiat and Haring in NYC.

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  • Richard Widdington, Artnet
    22 December 2022

    Artist Eric Orr Tagged New York’s Subways With Keith Haring. Now, His Hip-Hop Illustrations Are Getting the Museum Treatment

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