Homosapienese is an illustrated study of humans that was born from the notion that no matter how different we might think we are from one another, we’re all still just human. It was a fascinating thought to find the visually most interesting cultures and do a mash up.
The juxtaposition between a tribesman from Malakula island and my wife Denise from the megatropolis of Hong Kong fascinated me, and so 6 months ago I set out to collect a library of obscure ethnic cultures from around the world to create this collection of illustrations.
I’ve longed to work completely in a traditional way of just using a pencil and a piece of paper for the longest time. The process has been tedious and laborious but extremely fulfilling since I’ve been submersed in so much digital work for the past few years. Going back to my roots of traditional illustration with graphite pens, ink and brushes made me long for more time away from the machine. The feeling working in traditional illustration feels so honest, tactile and pure. Each piece was done completely by hand with graphite, acrylic, super India ink and marker on 5232 Re_Standard A3 paper from Japan and custom framed by Rob Nijjar of Framing & Art Centre in Kitsilano, Vancouver which we highly recommend.
Each piece is also stamped, dated and signed by the goof that’s writing this blog post. We highly recommend you visit WALRUS to see it in person to find all my mistakes in each piece. The collection will be up until September so be sure to say hi to Daniel and Caroline (raddest peeps ever) that run the shop. They sell super cool stuff as well. Just say’n.
Thanks again to everyone that came out and packed in that store for our opening show party. Love you all. Here are the photos from the opening party shot by Edwin Cheng of Osler Zoo Photography via Flickr.
The collection will be up until September at WALRUS located 3408 Cambie Street Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W8, Canada. Tel: (604) 874-9770
TITLE Chin Dynasty Hipster, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 16.75″ x 22.25″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE $1100 CAD
TITLE Chin Die Nasty, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 16.75″ x 22.25″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE $1400 CAD
TITLE Melanesia Urban, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 16.75″ x 22.25″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE $918 CAD
TITLE Shaman Tyson, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 16.75″ x 22.25″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE $918 CAD
TITLE Big Nambas Denise 2012. 1/1 SIZE 16.75″ x 22.25″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE SOLD
TITLE Nagaland French, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 16.75″ x 22.25″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE $1100 CAD
TITLE Untitled Head, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 14.75″ x 16″ MEDIUM Acrylic ink & Acrylic poster paint. PRICE $918 CAD
TITLE Human Essentials, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 22.25″ x 16.75″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE $701 CAD
TITLE Mudman Street, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 16.75″ 22.25″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE $1100 CAD
TITLE Wahgi Parisian, 2012. 1/1 SIZE 16.75″ 22.25″ MEDIUM Graphite, ink and acrylic. PRICE SOLD
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