Meet Larry ”NUFACE” Compton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry ”NUFACE” Compton.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My artistic background started as early as kindergarten for me, as I grew up I was in awe of seeing my older cousin draw cartoons and comics that I began to experiment myself. Taking what I learned from home, after finishing school work I’d entertain myself drawing or doodling anything I could. In middle school, I can remember selling t-shirts that I drew using iron-on crayons with rap images like microphones or boombox and Simpson characters. As a senior, I ran for senior class president, and I drew all my campaign flyers and posted them around the school. I honestly wasn’t trying to win. I just wanted to showcase my drawing, and I actually won the election. All of high school, I took commercial art classes until moving to Atlanta attending CAU where I took fine arts and life drawing as well as printmaking. I think the unique thing was experiencing all these variations of art and the bridging of 2 cities, Detroit where I’m from and Atlanta who has embraced me since coming in 1995. Since then you could find me at any hip hop or comedy show in the city. EQUIPPED with my sharpies ready to try to get an autograph from one of my favorite artist. As I’m just trying to preserve, protect and honor a culture that has done so much for me. In opening this dream of mine, I’m hoping to create something my daughters can be proud of and instill a sense of leadership as well as showing them the importance of social currency. With 2 of my oldest daughters(father of 4 daughters) growing up and moving out whether working or college I’m not as spread out as I was in the past as a father so I’m able to make time to focus on this vision of mine.

Please tell us about your art.
My art has been a reflection of myself and my childhood. From my addiction to Hip Hop music, The comic book and pop culture. From themes dealing in black power and family to creating my own characters. I originally painted on art canvases but capturing a wider audience led me to painting on t-shirts creating my own line of clothing called Nuface clothing. With a unique style, I was giving my buyers an ”exclusive” mentality as no one would have on what they were wearing, and they supported me for that reason. Aside from drawing/painting and clothing I’m most notably known as The Hip Hop Hoarder aka an ultimate rap fan touted by many peers as a walking museum. As I’ve been collecting music and memorabilia since a child, once I was exposed to Hip Hop, thanks to my father who surprised me with my first rap show ever where Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, and Run DMC all performed at Cobo Hall in Detroit.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I think the role of artists has drastically changed in that society is starting to come around and support out LIVING artist. Cities like Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Detroit are starting to embrace the graffiti culture as well as Museums who strayed away from that”type” of art in the past… With staying current with our current affairs, I find myself using art as therapy whether to release frustrations are as motivation to myself and others. I can recall painting Obama pictures religiously during his term.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My works have been exhibited at local art shows, galleries and public library and most recently the trap music museum I was also part of a team commissioned by the city of Atlanta to paint a mural in honor of MLK. Although my clothing or art can be seen at my big cartel page located in my IG bio I prefer more of a personal one on one with My supporters….I’m in the process now of crowdfunding to create and open my own Hip Hop and culture center which will house my large collection of hip hop memories from magazines, cassettes, Records, Autographed merch, etc that link is https://www.gofundme.com/nuface-hiphop-museum.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nuface.bigcartel.com/
• Phone: 4047591129
• Instagram: @nuface
• Facebook: Larry Compton
• Twitter: @nuface
• Other: https://youtu.be/pZI3iU6HFOY https://www.facebook.com/BMDossier/videos/1309249665849117/

Image Credit:
Steve West and David Martinez aka Phannyshotya

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