Pop iconoclast Ron English paints, infiltrates and satirizes modern culture on canvas and directly onto hundreds of pirated billboards. Delivering a steady stream of customized imagery with strong sociopolitical undertones and subversive media savvy, English stays offering up an alternative universe where nothing is sacred.
Fresh of his recent collaboration with mega artist Chris Brown, the “Dum English” Toy series. He's now teamed up with Sprayground, an exclusive lifestyle brand selling deluxe backpacks and accessories for the fashion savvy person who relies on a durable and comfortable backpack.
Last night the YCMC crew hit the Lower East Side to check out the official launch of Sprayground x POPaganda Pop-Up Shop at Toy Tokyo.The line was out the door, NYC's top tastemakers, fashion and toy heads were all gathered to check out and cop the latest artwork inspired bags from Ron English, who was on deck signing autographs. Even the @trndsttrs made an appearance.
We got a chance to sit down with the man himself and tap into the mad genius’s mind.
photo credit Charlie Giannetti
What’s a typical painting day like?
I have a studio that has a lot of light, so I like to get up at 5 or 6 in the morning and listen’s to NPR all day. I have a hard time concentrating when painting, and can’t have a lot of distractions.
Describe the world of Ron English art?
I present a fun house mirror to the world we live in. Everything that exists in the real world just distorted and perverted a little. We experience things and re-experience them as dreams, they kind of all morph together in weird ways and take on different meanings, and it’s like a dream world. Dream world’s built from the same reality we all share, but everyone’s dreams are unique.
Put two characters together to create a new toy?
Godzilla eats Hello Kitty; I can picture Hello Kitty in Godzilla’s belly, lol….
Fresh of his recent collaboration with mega artist Chris Brown, the “Dum English” Toy series. He's now teamed up with Sprayground, an exclusive lifestyle brand selling deluxe backpacks and accessories for the fashion savvy person who relies on a durable and comfortable backpack.
Last night the YCMC crew hit the Lower East Side to check out the official launch of Sprayground x POPaganda Pop-Up Shop at Toy Tokyo.The line was out the door, NYC's top tastemakers, fashion and toy heads were all gathered to check out and cop the latest artwork inspired bags from Ron English, who was on deck signing autographs. Even the @trndsttrs made an appearance.
We got a chance to sit down with the man himself and tap into the mad genius’s mind.
photo credit Charlie Giannetti
What’s a typical painting day like?
I have a studio that has a lot of light, so I like to get up at 5 or 6 in the morning and listen’s to NPR all day. I have a hard time concentrating when painting, and can’t have a lot of distractions.
Describe the world of Ron English art?
I present a fun house mirror to the world we live in. Everything that exists in the real world just distorted and perverted a little. We experience things and re-experience them as dreams, they kind of all morph together in weird ways and take on different meanings, and it’s like a dream world. Dream world’s built from the same reality we all share, but everyone’s dreams are unique.
Put two characters together to create a new toy?
Godzilla eats Hello Kitty; I can picture Hello Kitty in Godzilla’s belly, lol….
