Bo130, pseudonym of Bobo, is a Milanese artist born in 1971, recognised as a leading figure in the international street art scene.
His career spans several artistic disciplines, from graffiti to painting, graphics and design.
Education and First Experiences
Growing up in Milan, Bo130 undertook art studies at the Liceo Artistico in his hometown. Later, he moved to London to further his education at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, earning a degree in Graphic and Media Design at the London College of Communication.
However, it was his passion for graffiti, cultivated since his teenage years, that steered him towards the art movement known today as street art.
The Origin of the Art Name
Between 1985 and 1998, the artist used several pseudonyms before finally adopting ‘Bo130’. In the Leet alphabet, ‘Bo130’ is read ‘Bobo’, the nickname by which he has always been called.
The expression ‘Bo!’ in Italian slang means ‘I don't know’, reinforcing the idea of anonymity associated with his codename. Bo130 was one of the first writers to combine his tag with an icon, in his case a stylised crab, making his work instantly recognisable.
Influences and Artistic Style
Bo130's style is deeply influenced by the subcultures of the 1980s, such as punk, hip-hop, skateboarding and soundsystems. These movements, with their aesthetics and message of rebellion, stimulated his visual research, leading him to develop a personal artistic language.
His works can be described as a lysergic journey into the memory archive of an alien visiting our planet. Using a variety of materials, techniques and colours, Bo130 creates layered works where figures, shapes and words intertwine in an intricate interplay of hidden dialogues, defined by the artist himself as ‘tribalism-future-retro’.
Special Projects and Collaborations
In addition to his personal artistic activity, Bo130 has participated in numerous special projects and collaborations. From 1999 to 2002, he was an active member of the collective ‘Sun Wu-Kung - Hardcore Entertainment’, founded in Milan by Claudio Sinatti and Painè Cuadrelli.
This group, composed of artists, videomakers, photographers and DJs, focused on experimental audiovisual production, video art, animation and live VJing, characterised by the unconventional use of digital and analogue techniques.
In 2005, together with Microbo and collector ‘The Don’ Donini, he produced the book ‘Izastikup’, published by Drago Arts.
This publication, considered a cult, collects the most iconic stickers self-produced by artists from all over the world, representing a unique testimony of the street art culture of the time.
With Microbo, with whom he has shared an artistic and personal path for many years, he organised events such as ‘Arteimpropria’ in 2003 at Galleria Meravigli and ‘The Urban Edge Show’ in 2005 at Spazio P4. These events anticipated the now established trend of inviting artists to create site-specific works in specific locations.
Bo130 has always been interested in community-based projects, that promote collaborative behaviour, knowledge sharing and awareness creation through diverse connections between people, cultures, arts and nature. The artist firmly believes that diversity is the heritage that unites everyone.
Exhibitions and Awards
Bo130's entry into the art world dates back to 2002, with a growing interest that has led him to exhibit in various parts of the world.
His works have been exhibited in major museums and galleries, becoming part of several private collections in Europe and the United States. Since 2003, Bo130 has participated in more than a hundred exhibitions and projects between Europe and the US.
In 2004, he was invited to exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Genoa, Villa Croce, in the exhibition ‘Empowerment’, and at MassMOCA - Museum of Contemporary Arts in Massachusetts, in the project ‘The Interventionists’.
Some of the artist's prominent exhibitions are:
- ‘Cross The Streets’ curated by Paulo Lucas von Vacano, MACRO - Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Roma (2017)
- ‘Popism’ curated by Giuseppe Stagnitta and Julie Kogler, Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina (2016)
- ‘Codici Sorgenti’, contemporary urban visions, Palazzo Platamone, Catania (2015)
- ‘10 Years of Wooster Collective’ curated by Marc and Sara Schiller, Jonathan LeVine Gallery, New York (2013)
- ‘Back 2 back to Biennale’ - 55th Venice Biennale
Bo13O: Works for sale with prices and value from Wunderkammern
If you are interested in the artist, you can find Bo13O's works for sale online at our website.
If you would like to know about Bo13O's prices, value or which works will be exhibited, please do not hesitate to contact us by sending an e-mail to shop@wunderkammern.net.
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