| Justin Bua | |
| Field: | Figure drawing, graffiti and illustration |
| Training: | Art Center College of Design |
Justin Bua is an artist, author, speaker and entrepreneur. He currently lives in Texas and is best known for his lyrical narrative paintings of musicians, DJs and similar characters who help define the urban landscape.[1]
Bua grew up on the Upper West Side of New York City during the height of the graffiti movement and was fascinated by the raw, visceral street life of the city.[2] Bua attended Manhattan's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts and complemented his education on the streets by writing graffiti and performing worldwide with breakdancing crews. He went on to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he earned a B.F.A in illustration and taught figure drawing at the University of Southern California for ten years.
Bua's distinctive figurative style combines his classical training with his background in graffiti, breakdancing and experience living in New York City.[3] The subjects of his paintings range from recognizable figures, such as Snoop Dogg and Muhammad Ali, to anonymous people pulled from his memories, including the DJ and guitar player for which he has become best known.[4] Each of Bua's subjects is ennobled within the urban landscape he paints and is often rendered with elongated limbs or hands, emphasizing the rhythm of the scene. Bua exhibits worldwide and was featured in a 2011 event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.[5]
As an artist "for the people, by the people, of the people," Bua's fan base is diverse and ranges from former presidents, actors, musicians, professional athletes, dancers, to street kids and art connoisseurs.[6]
Launching his reputation in the world of commercial art, Bua has designed and illustrated a myriad of products that include skateboards, CD album covers, apparel and advertising campaigns, and he served as a member of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee as an appointee of the United States Postmaster General.[7] He has also developed successful visual concepts in the entertainment world, including: the opening sequence of MTV's sketch-comedy television series, The Lyricist Lounge Show (2000 - 2001), EA Sports video games NBA Street (2001), NFL Street (2004), Slum Village's award-winning music video Tainted and Toyota's Long Beach Grand Prix campaign.
In July 2013 Bua became the first artist to launch an online school with ArtistWorks, allowing students around the world of varying levels of experience to study his curriculum and interact digitally through video exchange.[8]
In 2013, Bua collaborated with nutritionist David Wolfe to create the superfood drink mix, Immortal Machine.[9]
In 2015, the artist developed, hosted and was the executive producer for Oxygen Channel's "Street Art Throw Down" which featured graffiti and street artists, including Lady Pink, Ron English and Mear One, as guest judges.[10]
In 2017, Bua was a featured artist on Artsy benefiting the American Civil Liberties Union.[13] [14]