An Abundant Life - A Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Last August I was invited to an event at Gary Lichtenstein Editions at Mana Contemporary for the pre-release party for the artwork that had been created by Tommy The Animator for the Legends Recording Group album "The Foundation." I always love going to events at Gary Lichenstein Editions because Gary Lichtenstein and Melissa Marr, the Director of Operations, are such wonderfully creative and inspiring people and the space itself is beautiful. There are many excellent Artists of all genres and modes of expression that have strong relationships with Gary and Melissa, and the artwork on display is always gorgeous. Gary is an Artist and a Master Printer who creates the highest quality silk screen prints in collaboration with some of the greatest contemporary Artists. It's always exciting to go to an event that he and Melissa are a part of, whether at the studio at Mana or at another gallery or event space. There is something very special about the work they do and the people they collaborate with, and so whenever I receive an invitation I try to make sure I get there. On this particular night in August it was a pre-release because the the Album release party would be two weeks later. I was glad that I had the opportunity to attend on that night first because it was a bit more low key and gave me a chance to really see the artwork and meet the Artist who as it turns out is awesome as an Artist and as a person as I knew he would be if he was working with Gary Lichtenstein Editions. I found out that night that several of the pieces had been painted with iconic images of Ice-T and other legends, and some had been signed by both Tommy and Ice-T. I have two of them that are treasures in my collection. Two weeks later, the Album Release party was a very exclusive event with Hennessy as one of the Sponsors. The large studio was packed with high profile guests and it was definitely a highlight of the season.

Tommy The Animator grew up in Manhattan on the Upper West Side and was influenced by some of the world's most revered Break Dancers and Graffiti Artists such as the late Frosty Freeze of Rock Steady Crew, Charlie Rock, and George "SEN-One" Morillo. In his early years he embraced the Hip Hop culture, first as a break dancer and then as a music producer. In the late 1990's he was incarcerated due to some legal trouble, and during his incarceration he changed his view of the world and began to draw, something that he often did in the past to pass the time. He found it to be a good form of therapy, and after being released in 2002 he began to teach himself 2D/3D animation, releasing animated shorts with well known Rap figures in the music industry which led to his being given the name "Tommy The Animator". In addition to gallery shows in New York, his work has been exhibited during Art Week at Art Basel and is sought after by collectors.

To me, when I look at Tommy's work there is something so intensely beautiful about it. The colors and shapes and textures are stunning. His pieces are also many times so different from each other, with sculptures and 3-D printed objects finding space along with paintings and drawings, sketches, prints, figurative work and abstracts within the expanded universe of his creation. His messages are not easy to view sometimes because he takes on subjects of urban life such as violence, racism, and poverty with such a direct gaze, but there is something within even his harshest work that still has great beauty. The work shown at the events I attended at Gary Lichtenstein Editions was gorgeous. Each one was a unique jewel, and they lent themselves to the diamond dust and gold that were part of the printing process for select pieces. The images he creates are precious, and are priceless, and the stories they tell are worth much more than a thousand words. 

Tommy The Animator

At Gary Lichtenstein Editions

At Mana Contemporary

https://www.gleditions.com/

 https://www.instagram.com/tommytheanimator

https://tommytheanimator.crevado.com/my-work

With Ice-T And Gary Lichtenstein




Photograph Screenshot From An Instagram Story
By Tommy The Animator
Photo Credit Eladio Lopez

 

Inspiring Another Generation

Photograph Courtesy Of

https://www.instagram.com/_simpleenigma/

Blessings,

Jannie Susan