Studio Visit: Tomokazu Matsuyama

A view of art history seen through the eyes of an astute color fanatic

Anyone concerned that our increasingly integrated, global world will lead to a homogenized population or uniform culture need to look no further than the artwork of Tomokazu Matsuyama to see how uniquely varied it can be. The Japanese pro snowboarder-turned graphic designer-turned fine artist uses an optimistically hued palette of acrylic paints and a mishmash of specific artistic styles to depict his vision of our …

SuicideGirls: Hard Girls, Soft Light

Tats, garters and brazen confidence in a photographic look at the underground movement

by Tara Fraser While pin-up girls have been around in some form for more than 100 years, the duo behind SuicideGirls paved their way onto the scene in 2001 by taking an alternative approach to mainstream notions of beauty. These days SuicideGirls are known internationally through their highly trafficked online hub, which celebrates unapologetic and daringly different women. The community organization has once again taken …

Shark Toof

The graffiti artist talks about diving with, painting and saving his beloved predator

by Vivianne Lapointe LA-based artist Shark Toof has made quite a name for himself for his dangerously bold depictions of the world’s most popular and misunderstood apex predator on street corners across the US. When asked about the genesis of his style and the reasoning behind his shark fetish, he says, “I feel like a lot of murals are wonderful to look at, but you …