Thinkspace Projects is thrilled to present ‘One Smile, Many Styles,’ the debut west coast solo show of PEZ, one of three revered street artists featured this month, who have remained relevant and versatile over the years, blessing walls around the world, and now our gallery walls.
In this latest body of work, PEZ has curated his recent endeavors. Rather than feeling confined to the painting, the medium he is best known for, he explores a variety of mediums, creating a cohesive experience that immerses viewers in what he has dubbed the “PEZ Universe.” He asks his fans to travel to this fantastical place exploring all his different styles and mediums. Here, one can find sculptures, acrylic works, spray paint based works, wood cuts and other surprises. He aims to stimulate his signature joy in others.
To celebrate ‘One Smile, Many Styles’ and Thinkspace Projects final exhibition of 2021, our interview with PEZ explores his artistic toolbox, favorite destination his work has taken him, and what he’s looking forward to in 2022.
What was the inspiration behind this latest body of work? What themes were you exploring?
I got my inspiration for my own creations trying to recreate and reinvent my styles taking like a reference mi old works I like it more.
What was the most challenging piece in this exhibition? How did it help you grow as an artist?
Every piece was a challenge, I feel that a work of art is for life and creating something that can never be modified is always a challenge, maybe most challenging was my sculptures painted by spraycan with stencils. I feel I’m growing up as an artist creating sculptures and starting a new medium.
What’s in your “artistic toolbox”? Are you particular about brands you use?
I love to sketch on pencil on my sketchbook, then continue working on the IPad coloring and then vectoring my lines in Illustrator to do the stencils. My best spray paint will be forever Montana Colors also I love Liquitex and Golden High Quality on the acrylics.
How do you like to unwind outside of the studio?
I use to share and play with my kids, have a good dinner in my fav restaurant with my wife and then go to dance with her, enjoy a barbecue with my friends, cook delicious dishes in my kitchen, see a movie with my family eating popcorn.
Do you have a process for sourcing and/or keeping track of your inspiration?
I go with the flow!
Most artists express themselves creatively as a child, but there is a moment when a shift occurs from just being creatively inclined to being more artistically minded – do you know when that moment was for you?
When I started to paint graffiti in 1999.
Where have you traveled to either work on a mural or showcase your work in a gallery space? Do you have a favorite destination/wall and why?
Moscow Russia, where I had the opportunity to paint my biggest wall in my life, 18 floors of fun and creativity – I’m going back this year to paint a big one again.
What words of wisdom would you share with your past self when you were just starting to show your work/ create murals? Is there anything in your artistic journey that you wish you may have done differently?
I think that everything I did in the past was just what I felt at that moment and I would not change anything about my evolution as an artist since everything happened in a very natural way of which I am very proud
What did you find to be the biggest challenge of 2021 for you?
Keep creating as I please and keep surprising my fans with new creations.
What is your proudest accomplishment of 2021? Life thus far? (can be art-related or not)
Earn money to buy my new house.
What big projects do you have coming up in 2022?
New Murals in Austin, Monaco, Moscow, Miami, Seoul, Paris, exhibitions in Barcelona, Mallorca, Miami, Tokyo, my new Art-Toy and my first collection of NFT’s.
