TOUGH BUT KIND

“Spikes&Smiles” is my artistic exploration of being Black in America, challenging perceptions that label Blackness as “dangerous” while we live authentically. The sea urchin symbolizes this—perceived as harmful yet harmless, undervalued yet coveted in luxury. As a Black artist navigating accolades and obstacles, I’ve often felt like a “street urchin,” without a solid foundation but driven by passion. This project blends high and low art with pop culture to create a unique, original IP. Inspired by legends like Murakami, KAWS, Johnny Cupcakes, and Bobby Hundreds, my goal is to rival brands like Bape with a higher cultural purpose.