Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Edwards.
Hi Justin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid, I always had a knack for drawing, but never took it seriously. In fact, it wasn’t until my senior year of undergraduate college that I was reintroduced to it – by one last class credit to graduate: Drawing 001. There, I revived my passion for drswing. Once I graduated, I was worked as a consultant and traveled a lot, so I invested in an iPad to draw digitally. Then, In 2022, I suffered a major knee injury while playing basketball that left me bedridden for a year. Hence, it was there that I committed to art full-time; painting and drawing as much as I oculd. At first, my art was a way for me to escape the pain and anxiety of my injury. I meditated a lot and received visions that I would then replicate on canvas. So, I guess you could say it was about spirituality and mental health. Eventually, my art evolved into what it is now, which is where I combined boxing and painting to make abstract anf figurative pieces.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, not really. First, it was hard to consider art school as a grown adult versus sticking a corporate job to support myself, but ultimately I decided I wanted to take my passion seriously. Then, I had to learn patience, and formal painting techniques, and how to market myself consistently; all things you learn along the way. Lastly, dealing with feelings of self-doubt, critics, and time management became a struggle, even to this day. As a result, relationships with friends and siginicant others suffered, and I spend a majority of my time in my studio because it is the only way to make time to work.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
For my work, I specialize in action painting, by bridging together my love for boxing and passion for painting into a style I call Art Boxing. The precursor to this process was created by Japanese artist Ushio Shinohara. While his canvas is a wall and a gloves wrapped in towels, i use a heavy bag wrapped in canvas and perform using techniques I’ve learned in my 5 years of boxing training. It’s similar but different. I also create figures, abstract pieces, sculptures, and motion media experiences with it as well. I’m most proud of finding a style I can call my own, finding new ways to create with it, and a way that keeps me fit. Since I started last year, there has been numerous opporutnities to create my work in different mediums; from making sculptures of boxing bags to using projection mapping through motion media. It has been one creative ride thus far.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck has played a role that I have created my own luck by staying the course even when the future seemed bleak. In fact, it’s like sailing the ocean in the middle of a fog; you don’t know what to expect but your intuitiion tells you to keep going. In addition, I have been lucky encounter people who believed in me and my art and gave me opportunities to showcase it; like Jean-Patrick Guichard, Tolu Aremu, Professor Alessandro Imperato, Professor Christine Lyon, Akazi Gallery, Black Boy Art Show, etc. However, that all came because I believed in my work and constantly networked; consistently challenging myself to think outside the box. So, I guess you could say I wouldn’t call it luck, but destiny
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theartboxer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartboxer/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-edwards18/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-gWco0s-aO5BTEzrXeQtA
