P.Cob_ Toronto
by jwc 3o2
Mr. P.cob was a Toronto writer whose work began appearing painted on walls in the inner city in the mid-198os, continuing into the early 199os. Despite the prolificity of over 2oo (known) texts, ranging in lengths from 1 to 48 words, that place him fairly constantly in the position of public performance of his painting, his identity as a biped is unknown; all we have of him is a body of remarkable work that, over the years, consistently shrinks as the city changes, perhaps only 3o% orso still readable (if that).
Intensely personally political, P.cob's combination of laconic lyricism ("THEy LOVEd your MOM / yEARS BEFoRE / HElP ME AS SHE gos"), accusational aesthetics ("gANgEd / MEN RiP / UP LONE / MAN") & bizarre imprecation ("L.J. / PENiS AN SPERM OF POPE JOHN PAUl II / iN RECTUM OF MR. P.cob // MASS PRoduCE PAiNTed stoNES OF THiS AN HidE THEM UNdeR ground") -- among other qualities -- puts his work into a genre all its own that blurs classificational boundaries, helping it to achieve a kind of all-around incomprehensibility; there was something about his work to confound &/or offend everyone.
P.cob -- homeless, multiphrenic, systemically abused & ranting his loves & hates in found paint on well-chosen available surfaces -- has proven provocative in ways the avantgarde wouldn't even be able to dream of.
see also:
www.youtube.com/user/oiaecho?blend=21&ob=5#p/u/O/zMqA...
&
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeiELDvWBZU
