LAST WEEK, it was all about music with the discovery of Grey “The Vegan Rapper” and riding the wave of overnight online stardom. THIS WEEK, it is all about our visual Artists. With Art Basel officially starting in Miami tomorrow, the artistic energy is pervasive and omnipresent and thank goodness for that because America can still use some healing after the craziest and dramatic presidential election. Tash and I are already in Miami and are bracing ourselves for an explosive time of Art, culture and style.
To kick off heART of cool’s (HoC) Art Tuesdays (Basel style) we are excited to share with you a new found ecclectic jem we discovered moments after walking off the plane in Miami. His name is Jay Shogo. Artist. Designer. Illustrator. Entrepreneur; Shogo is a one of a kind cool looking VISIONARY from Tokyo, Japan, who has been creating his master pieces since 2009 using 20 to 100 sharpies. Yes, I said sharpies, the permanent markers that are so old we might as well say they are vintage. Besides, Shogo is no stranger to the fashion world as he began his career in the retail space at a small boutique in Tokyo and then went on to be an eyewear and clothing designer for a Japanese apparrel company. And today, Shogo’s entrepreneurial spirit is seen in his own brands, “High Light Cavalet” (clothing) and “beik” (eyewear), both stores are located in Tokyo.
A man of my own heart. A world traveler and someone who effortlessly infuses his worldview collected by his experiences around the globe into his artistic works. Shogo, is brilliant and possesses a dynamic spirit that seeks to express itself in an array of color. Drawing extreme inspiration from the American people and culture, Shogo learned different artistic techniques while in the US and he uses Sharpies, spray paints and acryllics.
Whether you see his work on the “Wynwood Walls” in Miami, “5POINTS” in New York City or back where it all began in the strerts of Tokyo, you are sure to witness the creative vibration he is emanating on this planet and you will be inspired in a super cool way.
If you are in the Miami area for Art Basel, be sure to check him out this Saturday at the It’s Toki Time experience in conjunction with The House Of Suntory Whiskey. You will not regret it. Japanese Whiskey, Japanese Art and Japanese funk music. We will definitely be in the building for sure and look forward to escaping away to Tokyo for a night at Art Basel 2016.
💜Love & Light🌞,
CRISTEN M. MILLS
