In the age of mass production, individuality is the ultimate rebellion.
* Culture Curator, Community Catalyst, Self-Crowned King of Collectibles
Welcome to the House of 8r43: Redefining Art in the Digital Age
8r43 is not just an artist; he is a pioneer, breaking down the barriers between traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation. A master of blending analog and digital mediums, his work is a reflection of both personal experience and the boundless possibilities of technology. With roots in painting, drawing, and design, 8r43’s art invites you to explore a world where human creativity and artificial intelligence coexist in harmony. Rather than viewing technology as a threat, he embraces it as a partner, forging new narratives and redefining the future of contemporary art. Immerse yourself in his visionary creations and discover a realm where innovation and imagination converge.
/CONTRIBUTION
A true culture creator,
8r43 channels his roots in street art and skateboarding into a thriving career as an artist and designer. Currently working as a Graphic Design Artist at Culture Kings, he blends streetwear aesthetics with cutting-edge fashion, crafting visuals that resonate with a global audience. His designs celebrate authenticity and individuality, bridging the gap between art, culture, and youth fashion.
* Streetwear, Art & Fashion
* Decades of Design
8r43 is the driving force behind DesignHouse BS
where he has spent over a decade as a freelance Senior Designer. Specializing in grunge, punk, and hardcore aesthetics, his work speaks to niche subcultures and underground communities, drawing on his love for bold, unapologetic visuals and storytelling.DesignHouse BS is a community dedicated to spreading love, knowledge, and collaboration among like-minded artists and collectors. This initiative underscores his passion for fostering innovation and mutual support in the digital art space.
Before stepping fully into the world of design, 8r43 honed his understanding of fashion and retail through leadership roles, including Retail Sales Manager at HYPE DC and Retail Salesperson at Universal Store. These experiences gave him a deep appreciation for the connection between fashion and identity, shaping his approach to design and creativity.Academically, 8r43 studied fine art, visual arts, and graphic design at TAFE Queensland and CATC Design School, developing a foundation that supports his diverse artistic pursuits. His education, coupled with hands-on industry experience, set the stage for a career defined by innovation and a deep understanding of visual culture.Beyond his professional achievements, 8r43 is a self-proclaimed king of collectibles and a passionate advocate for individuality in art and fashion. From vintage tees to digital collectibles, his work explores the intersection of tradition and innovation, always aiming to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness.Today, 8r43 continues to push boundaries as a designer, artist, and culture creator, exploring new mediums and redefining the limits of art, fashion, and digital culture. His work reflects a deep commitment to leaving a lasting impact on the world of design and inspiring a new generation to stand out and make their mark.
//ARTISTIC PROCESS
1. Cataloguing and Style Definition
Each project begins with a reflective process where 8r43 catalogs his previous work, including paintings, sketches, and designs. Built over decades, this archive becomes a foundation for identifying recurring themes, traits, and elements that define his evolving artistic voice. Using AI tools like MidJourney, 8r43 dissects these characteristics, shaping the prompts that will guide his exploration.
2. AI-Driven Exploration
With a vision rooted in his cataloged style, 8r43 creates detailed prompts to harness AI’s potential, generating countless iterations of subjects. This phase is experimental yet intentional, allowing him to sift through the results, identify compelling elements, and discard what doesn’t align with his vision.
3. Transformation and Refinement
Once selected, the AI-generated pieces undergo transformation in Photoshop through a series of custom actions developed by 8r43. These recorded actions—meticulously refined over time—enhance texture, color, and detail, embedding his unique fingerprint into every piece. This stage is where the artwork becomes a fusion of machine-generated potential and human creativity, carrying the emotional weight and intuition of the artist.
4. Generative NFT Collections
For NFT projects, this process is repeated with detailed attention to individual components, such as eyes, mouths, and backgrounds. Each element is created with six variations and twelve color palettes to ensure diversity and collectibility. Python scripts are then used to assemble the final collections, complete with metadata. This approach streamlines the process while preserving the integrity and vision of each piece.
///SYMBOLISM AND MEANING THROUGH WORK
1. The Color Orange
Opposition and Identity: Orange was selected as a symbolic contrast to blue, reflecting a personal allegiance as a staunch Queensland supporter in the context of Australia's State of Origin rugby rivalry. This choice underscores the artist’s identity and playful rebellion against New South Wales (whose color is blue). It’s not just about sports, but also about embracing individuality and differentiation, positioning orange as a statement of opposition and uniqueness.
Cultural Tie-Ins: The color orange also connects to the branding of Pornhub, tying the artwork to themes of modern consumption, the adult entertainment industry, and its impact on audiences. This dual symbolism – as both opposition to blue and a nod to the vibrant, bold energy associated with the Pornhub brand – creates a layered narrative that engages with identity, societal taboos, and target audience relevance.
2. The Significance of 222
Personal and Artistic Connection: The number 222 carries profound personal significance for the artist, representing their birth date, February 22nd (22/02). This embeds a sense of identity and personal history into the work, connecting it to the artist’s own narrative.
Warhol’s Legacy: Coincidentally, 222 also marks the death date of Andy Warhol (February 22, 1987), a key influence on the artist. Warhol’s revolutionary work in screen printing and his ability to elevate everyday objects into iconic art forms deeply resonate with the artist. The inclusion of 222 symbolizes not only a personal connection but also a homage to Warhol's transformative impact on the art world and his embrace of mass production as a creative medium.
3. Bright Colors
Emotional Resonance: Bright, vibrant colors are a deliberate nod to Andy Warhol’s style, evoking the Pop Art movement's energy and dynamism. For Warhol, color was a means of eliciting emotion and creating visual excitement, and this tradition is carried forward in the artist’s work.
Affective Spectrum: The use of bold, striking colors also mirrors the spectrum of human emotions, tying the visual appeal of the artwork to its thematic content. These colors serve as a bridge between the artist’s influences and their own creative voice, creating a sensory experience for viewers.
4. 8r43 (BRAE)
Playful Collecting: The artist’s fascination with personalized license plates, particularly humorous or creative ones, speaks to a broader interest in finding art and humor in the mundane. “8r43” cleverly translates to “BRAE” (the artist’s name) in license plate language, blending personal identity with this quirky obsession.
Personal Branding: By incorporating “8r43” into the artwork, the artist injects a unique personal signature. This reflects their ability to merge everyday elements with deeper meaning, much like Warhol’s elevation of Campbell’s soup cans or Brillo boxes. The integration of this playful yet meaningful motif establishes a distinctive mark that defines the artist’s style.
Overall Significance
The work is a vibrant amalgamation of personal identity, homage to artistic influences, and cultural commentary. By weaving together elements like color, numerical symbolism, and personal quirks, the artist creates a multidimensional narrative that is both autobiographical and universal. It challenges viewers to consider the intersections of individuality, culture, and the mundane, encouraging a deeper engagement with the artwork’s underlying themes.
/>CONNECTION & GRATITUDE
At its heart, 8r43’s work is a testament to collaboration over resistance. By embracing artificial intelligence as a partner rather than a threat, he demonstrates how human creativity and machine ingenuity can coexist to produce something truly original. This approach challenges traditional notions of authorship and redefines the role of technology in art.
The vibrant colors in his work serve as a reflection of his inner world, capturing the spectrum of emotions tied to his experiences with autism, ADHD, depression, and other mental health challenges. Rather than sensationalizing these struggles, his art uses them as a foundation for authenticity and depth, weaving an honest narrative into each piece.8r43 works exclusively with even numbers and factors of 24, such as 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12. This preference stems from his pursuit of balance, symmetry, and natural harmony, ensuring every creation aligns with a consistent and intentional structure.