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The crew and I made the trip to Miami for Art Basel, as usual, this year. We had an ambitious schedule of murals and art events, including a 77 foot x 35 foot mural at Mana Contemporary and a 20 foot x 30 foot mural at Eneida M. Hartner Elementary School as part of the RAW Project. Both of my murals are environmentally themed which is always important but especially with the climate change denial represented by the incoming administration. I was very happy to have a pro-Earth mural at a school where kids might be inspired to ask questions about the mural’s content. Miami during Art Basel is always overwhelming but inspiring. There are so many murals, art shows, fashion events, and parties going on that it is absolute sensory overload.
There are too many amazing pieces of art and bizarre people and things to tell about. If you have a chance to go and like the idea of Lollapalooza, Mardi Gras, Coachella, and a bunch of art and artists all mixed together, it’s for you….oh yeah, and if you don’t need much sleep. Speaking of late nights, I had a good time DJing a couple of events – the Wynwood Walls opening dinner party was an amazing group of people, put on by the Goldman family; also Swoon’s birthday party at the Juxtapoz Clubhouse was a great time with the most bohemian and eccentric crowd, which is saying a lot for Basel. Thanks to all the different galleries and organizations who showcased and supported my work as well as my assistants – Dan Flores, Nicholas Bowers, Rob Zagula, and intrepid smoker and Bud Light drinker/ photographer Jon Furlong who did a great job documenting everything, which I guess was a good excuse for him to stay on the party train the whole time. His photos prove that you can work when you play and play when you work.
If you’re in Miami, check out my murals as well as all of the other public art in Wynwood. It has become one of the most art-saturated places in the world.
– Shepard
Photos: Jonathan Furlong
