Justin Bua

Justin Bua is an artist, author, speaker and entrepreneur. He currently lives in Texas and is best known for his lyrical narrative paintings of musicians, DJs and similar characters who help define the urban landscape.[1] As an artist "for the people, by the people, of the people," Bua's fan base is diverse and ranges from former presidents, actors, musicians, professional athletes, dancers, to street kids and art connoisseurs.[2]

Justin Bua
Bua (unknown date)
Born1968 (age 54–55)
EducationArt Center College of Design
Known forFigure drawing, graffiti and illustration
Websitejustinbua.com

Early life and education

Bua grew up on the Upper West Side of New York City during the height of the graffiti movement and was fascinated by the raw, visceral street life of the city.[3] Justin attended Manhattan's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts and complemented his education on the streets by writing graffiti and performing worldwide with breakdancing crews. Bua went on to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he earned a B.F.A in illustration and taught figure drawing at the University of Southern California for ten years.

Fine Art

Bua's distinctive figurative style combines his classical training with his background in graffiti, breakdancing and experience living in New York City.[4] The subjects of his paintings range from recognizable figures, such as Snoop Dogg and Muhammad Ali, to anonymous people pulled from his memories, including the DJ and guitar player for which he has become best known.[5] Each of Bua's subjects is ennobled within the urban landscape he paints and is often rendered with elongated limbs or hands, emphasizing the rhythm of the scene.[2] Bua exhibits worldwide and was featured in a 2011 event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.[6] In 2021, Bua launched his first NFT collection to much fanfare,[7] and as of 2023, he has teamed with Supermojo, Ripple and the Ripple Creator Fund to bring a new series of BUAverse NFT's to the XRP ledger.[8]

Commercial Art

Launching his reputation in the world of commercial art, Bua has designed and illustrated a myriad of products that include skateboards, CD album covers, apparel and advertising campaigns, and he served as a member of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee as an appointee of the United States Postmaster General.[9] He has also developed successful visual concepts in the entertainment world, including: the opening sequence of MTV's sketch-comedy television series, The Lyricist Lounge Show (2000–2001), EA Sports video games NBA Street (2001), NFL Street (2004), Slum Village's award-winning music video Tainted and Toyota's Long Beach Grand Prix campaign.[3][10]

Speaking and Entrepreneurship

In July 2013 Bua became the first artist to launch an online school with ArtistWorks, allowing students around the world of varying levels of experience to study his curriculum and interact digitally through video exchange.[11]

In 2013, Bua collaborated with leading nutritionist David Wolfe to create the superfood drink mix, Immortal Machine.[12]

In 2015, the artist developed, hosted and was the executive producer for Oxygen Channel's "Street Art Throw Down" which featured graffiti and street artists, including Lady Pink, Ron English and Mear One, as guest judges.[13]

Bibliography
  • Bua, Justin (2011). The Legends of Hip Hop. New York City: Harper Design.[14]
  • Bua, Justin (2007). The Beat of Urban Art – The Art of Justin Bua. New York City: Collins Design. OCLC 474259359.[15]

Presence at Auction

In 2017, Bua was a featured artist on Artsy benefiting the American Civil Liberties Union.[16][17]

See also

References
  1. Borbet, Jason T. "Price Ranges And Studio Images Of 14 Contemporary Artists". Forbes. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  2. Navarro, Mireya (April 29, 2007). "Justin Bua - Artist - Los Angeles". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  3. "Justin Bua - Biography". rogallery.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  4. "It's A Black Thang.com - Justin Bua Artwork". It's A Black Thang.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  5. "Justin Bua Art Gallery | The Black Art Depot". www.blackartdepot.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  6. "Justin Bua And The King DMC At LACMA | Los Angeles, I'm Yours". laimyours.com. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  7. "BUA NFT Collection".
  8. "Bua NFT Drop 2023".
  9. Agency, Limelight. "Justin BUA artist Biography". www.limelightagency.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  10. "Toyota of Orangeburg: April 2012". toyotaoforangeburg.blogspot.com. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  11. "Learn How To Draw with Justin BUA | ArtistWorks". artistworks.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  12. "Immortal Machine – Protein Shake – I LOVE YOU » Kristen's Raw". Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  13. "Street Art Portfolio: Justin BUA". March 2, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  14. Bua, Justin (2011). The Legends of Hip Hop. Harper Design; Illustrated edition (October 15, 2011). ISBN 978-0061854972.
  15. Chideya,Farai, "Justin Bua Chronicles 'Beat Of Urban Art", NPR Books,September 19, 2008
  16. "Street Art for ACLU: Benefit Auction 2017 | Artsy". m.artsy.net. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  17. "Street Art for ACLU: Benefit Auction 2017". Art for Social Action. April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2018.


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