I think everyone feels pigeonholed to some degree. But it’s my job to continually try to work beyond what people know me most for. I’m very proud of what I’m pigeonholed for though, so I’m grateful to be pigeonholed
Category: Art
Suitcase Joe’s Introduction to Illustrated Madness. FT. Hopes & Jimmy Bonks.
Illustrated Madness has been a long time in the making in my head. My love for zines, graffiti, illustration, independent publications, and photography has all come together right here in your hands. A small, humble beginning to something bigger, I hope. More than anything, I like to imagine that one day, some kid will stumble upon a copy of Illustrated Madness, tucked away in a forgotten box or chest, and it will spark the beginning of their curiosity to discover more. Hopefully, it leads them to uncover their own love for photography, art, and illustration, taking them on wild adventures that only a life of creative pursuit can offer. An adventure of discovery that will lead them to their own kind of splendid madness.
HOKZ / HOKZYN. <ENG>
I am almost never 100% sure of what I want to say. Sometimes I am, but most of the time it is an impulse or an idea that comes, takes hold of me and haunts me. It is not until after I go out to paint, write or do something about it that I manage to understand what it could really mean, but sometimes that message never comes through. I am thankful for my friends, people close to me, and people who stop to look at my work because many times, it is through you that I manage to see and understand things about my work that I would not have been able to understand on my own.
HOKZ / HOKZYN. <ESP>
En la calle y en el arte las reglas las voy a romper. Los grafiteros deberían preocuparse por pintar como más les guste, cada quien a lo suyo intentando hacerlo más duro y más cabrón cada vez. TSK:.
Saucyboi69 for Illustrated Madness.
Erotic art is the most important art form to me. It is a declaration that you are proud to see the beauty in something others keep hidden or under strict control, that you can be confident in yourself and what you feel a natural attraction towards. The prouder you are, the better. There is a stigma attached that can make people look down on the genre or not want to interact with it at all. But that’s what makes it feel like an underdog tale to me, and a fight worth fighting.
Will Carsola for Illustrated Madness.
There were many moments like this, but the most pivotal moment was when I dropped out of art school. I was a painting major but after starting to make videos with my friend Dave Stewart, I decided to drop out and teach myself how to write, direct, edit, and more. Making sketch comedy, graffiti, skate, and music videos led me to animation, which helped further define my art style. That led me to co-create a couple Adult Swim shows, which led to my involvement with Liquid Death.
SUCKYBAT.
My message and style is I don’t give a f*ck. I’m just here to paint this bat and piss people off.
FRKO.
Sometimes institutions don’t want my edgy/challenging art. Some of these places want to control what black art is. They only want to show what is comfortable for them.
PHOTOJOURNAL: GUEZ X DEAD RELATIVES. “PLAYA MODE” 11/1/24
When it comes to curating shows, the one thing I try to keep in mind is showcasing a glimpse of my world/reality. Including people is a huge aspect to my life, because our community is what shapes this culture. -GUEZ.
SOVIET.
There’s no intentional message behind my painting besides an underlying current of being anti-establishment. I try to paint things I would find interesting if I weren’t the painter. I approach my work as someone outside myself, a fictional character. I want my art to make you think and laugh about the absurdity of life.