Artist Statement: I have painted gucci links all over my piano. Where the gucci link necklace holds its iconic stamp in the hip hop culture, the luxury and extravagance, when juxtaposed with a piano, makes me think of Liberace. My goal is to draw the viewer from across the street--the same thinking, I’m sure, that Liberace and all the hip hop heads had about being flashy. I’m convinced that when the sun shines on the links it will blind everyone. I can't wait to get it out in the streets...come to think of it, the jumbled gucci links may also look like a Versace printed silk shirt, pure gaudery!!!!
James Alicea is a New York City graphic designer and artist. Alicea shares his humor, wisdom and occasional rhymes while painting and drawing monsters and other shady characters. His hand-drawn typography can be seen throughout a majority of his work. In May 2013, Alicea participated as a Sing for Hope Artist, painting one of the 88 pianos placed throughout New York City for the month of June 2013. In connection with this project, he received press coverage in the Huffington Post and CBS News. Alicea, who also paints under the name BlusterOne, is a graduate of the acclaimed High School of Art & Design (NYC graffiti Mecca) and received a BFA from the Columbus College of Art & Design, in Columbus, Ohio. He has co-founded the successful graffiti-inspired clothing brand PNB Nation, the Japanese clothing brand AndSuns, and is a long-time member of the art collective The Barnstormers. In 2011 he co-founded the private art studio and community art hub 596ArtistUnion. Alicea has also designed graphics for Rocawear, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, FUBU, Shady Records, Sirius Radio, and Comedy Central.
