Despite only being 366 days, 2016 was a year full of extreme highs and severe lows. 2017 may or may not be more forgiving than 2016, but like many others, I feel like the only thing that will prevail is our innate desire to create positivity and art in the world. In this new year, on a monthly basis, I will be highlighting certain artists, movements, people, and programs that I feel deserve to be noted.
This month, a certain visual artist has caught my eye. He is an Argentina-based 2D artist whose style combines urban streetwear and mythology from various Asian traditions, most notably Japan's.
His name is Mau Lencinas and he goes by 199hates.
I think his style is so fascinating from the clothes his characters wear to the bold colors used to highlight his subjects. I would love to see a graphic novel or animated film illustrated by him.
Even his illustrations with more muted colors are presented in such a way that strikes the perfect balance between realism and surrealism.
His characters are usually portrayed as heroes nonchalantly positioned after defeating a variety of different monsters and creatures.
One thing that stood out to me about his illustrations was the frequency in which name brand clothing and their parodied counterparts made appearances.
I don't believe this was for the sake of including these companies, per se, but because of Lencinas' awareness of the brands and styles that are so prevalent in urban areas worldwide.
