In the middle of broad daylight and crowds of passers-by on Jade Street, a gray wall turns into a colorful world, in which the sincere eyes of the drawn characters say more than a thousand words. Drawing graffiti is a "natural need" for him, when asked about what it means to him, he answers: "How do you ask a bird why it sings so beautifully?".
Jonathan Rivera, with the stage name Jade, is one of the most famous Peruvians graffiti artists. In fact, the more correct term is muralist, since he mostly creates legal wall paintings, which he harmoniously integrates into the environment and often receives payment for. He was born in the Andes the village of Junín, but since the age of seven months he has been living in Lime. Jade became interested in art at the age of eleven and started drawing graffiti at the age of fourteen. He enrolled in art school, but left it very soon due to dissatisfaction with the school system. He decided to independently develop his artistic talent on the street. Since 1997, self-taught Jade has developed into a world-renowned graphic artist who, with his graffiti persistently holds up a mirror to today's society.
Environmental portraitist
Jade uses artistic expression to show his vision of the world, which he combines with the Andean culture that is deeply rooted in him. He says he is "environmental portraitist". His inspiration is things from the environment that arouse his emotions, it can be a smile, injustice or the chaos of the street. He says the street is for him: “More than just a place to paint; the people and situations surrounding the wall affect the final product. The street allows me to exist and be a part of the lives of the people who see my art day after day. I take responsibility seriously for my intervention in public space and how it affects everyone involved. The more you pay attention to what the street is telling you, the more honest you are when painting a wall."
Jade creates simple and interpretive works of art in which anyone can see their meaning. His graffiti achieves its purpose when it inspires people to question and doubt. Peru has a strong influence on his development graphic style. He tries to preserve the culture of his country through art and in this way show respect and support to his people. His characters have the rough features and facial structure of a Peruvian Andean man. The dominant colors are earthy: red, brown, yellow. He always draws children's eyes to show the human side of the character. And it is the eyes that bring a surprising emotional component to his graffiti.
He also signed in Ljubljana
Jade he drew graffiti in twelve countries around the world and exhibited in, among other places Paris and Berlin. He also visited Slovenia and left his mark in Ljubljana and Maribor. He says that Slovenia is his favorite country in Europe, mainly because of its natural beauty and also because he is probably the first South American to paint graffiti on its streets.
www.jadeuno.com
– the official website where Jade regularly publishes her latest work.
www.juxtapoz.com
– everything and more about street art, graphics and illustration.
www.streetartnews.net
– graffiti blog.
www.ilgorgo.com
- an online magazine about Italian and international street art culture.
