Grand Prize Winner
Cat-Eye Doomscape
by Ben FootDescription:
Cat-Eyed Doomscape is a design based around a question: Are cats, those most noble and mysterious of creatures, actually mystic visionaries that pad around among us? Can they see and feel things from a realm we humans couldn't even imagine?
When they urgently meow, could it be that they want us to know about the collapse of all existence that is fast impending? Or is it just because they want a cuddle? When they glance sleepily and hopefully upwards upon waking from a nap, is a prophetic dream of the infinite and the beautiful still swirling around their consciousness? Or are they just hoping for a snack?
Look closely into their eyes and see if you can make it out. This is what it looks like to me.
The Artist:
Over several years he has also produced a variety of illustrations, logos, t-shirt designs and posters for a large number of local independent record stores, coffee houses, and music festivals, plus album sleeve art and posters for a myriad of bands including English underground heroes The Retro Spankees and The Squids.
His artwork is best described as a combination of classic comic book styled art and modern-day surrealism. He has a love for drawing instinctively, for solid, crisp black linework and has an intuitive approach to colouring in both traditional and digital mediums. His ideas are inspired by anything from film, literature, comics and music to animals, politics and popular culture and are usually boiled down to two base roots: Agonizing dread and existential despair and the hope of an infinity of painlessness and peace. He likes coffee and animals and he likes you too.
Second Place Winner
Space Aphrodite
by Nando ArryDescription:
Space Aphrodite is a futuristic, robotic interpretation of the Greek Goddess of Love. Perhaps this is what guys everywhere will be dreaming about a couple centuries from now.
The Artist:
Nando Arry is a freelancer designer for clothing brands in Indonesia and the United States. Nando was born in Borneo is now located in Bandung. He has designed previously for VonZipper and MostHated.
Third Place Winner
Chaos Theory
by BeeryMethodDescription:
Seeking the inner being of chaos this frenzied-fellow is forming a pact with the lurking viewer from within. Strangely perfect in a world of disorder by seeing the twist of every beings mortal confusion it is the theorist who tries to make sense of it all. May chaos reign!
The Artist:
Nick Beery aka BeeryMethod works in a vast array of creative disciplines including non-traditional fine art, digital photography, illustration, and design. His approach to all creative forms is to bring a unique fusion of techniques which manifest highly creative and visually striking imagery relative to constantly shifting movements in intercontinental marketing aesthetics. A deep background in information artistry and product design with apparel companies, record labels, action-sports industry and commercial media make his counter-culture and pop-icon aesthetics available on a multitude of media.
BeeryMethod is considered a surrealist, an eclectic visionary, and a promoter of urban culture and movements. His comprehensive body of paintings can be found in galleries across the US and in private collections abroad. His designs are being worn, skated, surfed, and indelibly etched into the minds of global underground culture. His work runs the gamut from curvy and sexy female portraiture to otherworldly dark landscapes and grungy ghost-like characters. Collaboration with fellow artists and culture companies sparks the fire that burns deep in his creative soul.
About RYZ
RYZ is a new footwear brand that sources designs from professional and aspiring artists. RYZ is at the forefront of art and fashion collaborations, one of the leading trends in self-expression. RYZ shoes are available in select Journeys stores, Journeys online, and in the RYZ online store. For more information on RYZ, visit www.RYZ.com
