TYPOE for the Miami Design District Ambassador

Typoe is part of a group of Miami bred artists changing the city's cultural landscape. Typoe has grown from graffiti artist to a more traditional gallery artist represented by Spinello Projects, and along the way, he has helped to cofound the much-loved space, Primary Projects. Earlier this year, he collaborated with local brand DelToro to design shoes. Amongst the floral wingtips fans is the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade. Mr. Wade is just one of Typoe's fans as the artist proves to be a talented curator and producer and a caring collaborator known for supporting city and local artists. 

Q&A

MDD: What's the first piece of art you fell in love with?
TYPOE: The earliest things I remember visually are my mom’s paintings and a Picasso flower print that was hanging in the back of my parent’s house when I was little. I think the first time I saw a piece of art and felt like it changed my life was definitely a Robert Rauschenberg. He is the man. The way he assembles and makes marks is perfection. His process took art in a new direction. I like when people challenge the process.

MDD: Who are your favorite designers?
TYPOE: Alexander McQueen, Marcus Wainwright & David Neville, Matthew Chevallard, Tadao Ando, Carlo Scarpa.

MDD: What is the best piece of style advice you've ever heard?
TYPOE: Your style is an extension of you. Just be yourself.

MDD: Who is is your favorite writer?
TYPOE: Dr. Seuss

MDD: What is inspiring you these days?
TYPOE: Everything inspires me... Everything I see around me, my family and friends, my past, my possible future. Most of my work is very personal so I like to pull inspiration from all my own experiences.

MDD: What is your motto?
TYPOE: Excellence takes no breaks.

MDD: What is your favorite indulgence?
TYPOE: Ice cream. Specifically a little place on south beach 'Emack & Bolios'. Enter at your own risk.

MDD: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
TYPOE: I would say learning how to master my craft and finding my visual language as an artist. Maturing in my process. There have been many monetary and material things that I have accomplished but this is the most important thing to me: style and being the best at what I do.

MDD: What career other than your own would you like to attempt?
TYPOE: There are so many things I want to do. Besides being a full-time artist and being a partner on the Primary projects team, I want to do more in fashion design, and so many other creative ventures. I just love collaborating and working with people.

MDD: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
TYPOE: Stop thinking so much so I can sleep at night.

MDD: Who are some of your favorite local artists?
TYPOE: Agustina Woodgate, Sinisa Kukec, Emmett Moore. These are a few of my favorites, not only because they are amazing people but also because of their dedication to mastering and understanding their craft.

MDD: 2013 is almost finished and we're all looking ahead to 2014. What are you looking forward to next year?
TYPOE: I am very excited about next year. There are so many projects coming soon that I can't wait to share with everyone. I can't talk about them just yet but it is going to be a lot of fun!

MDD: What are you excited about at this year's Basel festivities?
TYPOE: I'm just starting to see all these emails for events and there are so many that it is impossible to pick. I'm most excited about seeing a lot of friends coming to town that I usually only get to see when I travel to different fairs.

Original article: MiamiDesignDistrict.net