I create because I have an entire universe inside me — characters, stories, visions — and art is the only way to set them free.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My art lives between western cartoons and anime — a balance shaped by two worlds. Growing up, my father's cassette and DVD collections introduced me to the golden age of animation: Looney Tunes, Popeye, Felix the Cat, and more. In my teens, a friend introduced me to One Piece, pulling me deep into shonen anime. These two influences merged into my style, which I now channel into fantasy and sci-fi storytelling.
Where do you find inspiration?My inspiration lives in the overlap between my experiences and my imagination. Film, television, and games fuel my creativity, but simply living is my greatest source. I scatter pieces of my identity across my characters and worlds — sometimes feeling split between them. The stories I tell are shaped by struggles and successes uniquely my own, producing worlds unlike any that have been explored before.
What would you do with $25,000?I shared a one-bedroom with my parents my whole life — until circumstances forced me out with no job and three months of rent to my name. $25,000 would change everything. I'd split a portion with my family as a foundation boost, secure stable housing for myself, and seed a business I've been building toward. Not a shortcut — a launchpad. Faith got me this far. This would make it real.
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Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
