07/24/09
Text: Kee Chang
Rainbow lasers, graphic unicorns, “Super Molester” (yes, a pervy superhero), and Mr. T—Jasper Wong’s illustrations are, in the illustrator’s own words, “a diarrhea of pop culture.” Vibrant, crude, downright playful, deliberately absurd—you really don’t know what to make of it all at first. Childlike frivolity and homoerotica unite in his schizophrenic body of work.
Profiled by American Illustration, Archive, and Taschen this year alone, it looks like Wong has a lot more to look forward to in his illustrious career.
What is your background in illustration?
Most of my education is from my time glued in front of the television on Saturday mornings, but my formal education is from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco with a BFA in Illustration.
Can you briefly walk us through your creative process?
I don't really have a set way of working. Sometimes I mix digital with traditional processes, while other times I'll do a big painting on canvas or paper. It’s really what I feel like doing at the moment. It’s all about the process and the experimentation with those processes that makes art making so darn fun.
What are your main inspirations when you're brainstorming concepts?
Everything. I basically absorb things that interest me and poo it out on paper. It’s a diarrhea of pop culture.
What is your fascination with Mr. T?
Ever since I was a child, it has been my life goal to obtain manhood. In my opinion, Mr. T is the epitome of manliness, so I strive to reach his level of pure awesomeness. Sadly, I lack the ability to grow facial hair and my dreams of becoming a man has been crushed. But I'm still very much fascinated with Mr. T and I still hope to become a man one day.
What are you working on next?
There are a bunch of projects in the works ranging from products that consists of shoes, iPhone cases, and wallets. I'm also doing a big painting for ACE Hotel in New York. If you’re out there, reserve room 610 because that’s the "Jasper Wong" room. Other projects I'm passionately working on include the brand I'm starting up with a bunch of other Bay Area artists and a gallery in Hong Kong.
