Man with a message

FOLLOWING on the success of art exhibitions it held last year of work by Tokidoki and Gary Basemen, Groove @CentralWorld is hosting a show of sculptures, prints and streetscape paintings by illustrator Jeremyville from his recent series “Community Service Announcement”.
The show “A Trip to Jeremyville” – for which no closing date has been decided – is supposed to be about “feeling freedom again” in those moments when imagination and optimism thrive. A highlight is an illustration of the Ratchaprasong intersection outside the mall, which covers a whole wall near the entrance. The self-taught illustrator told us he was “an odd child” and turned to art to deal with the world around him.
“To me, art should have something to say, communicate a message, a feeling, and yes, even try to change the world,” says Jeremyville. “I never just try to create a cool or style-driven image – to me that’s the least important part of art. It should stand for something, provoke inner thought and alter the way you see yourself and the world. That’s the true power of art, and of an unforgettable image.
“The most important thing is that you have to make sure to create your own style. It could be the product of hours of hours of drawing, thinking and trying new things until you get the essence of your own style. That’s something you need to go through if you wish to become an artist. I don’t think art is easy or instant. It needs effort and takes time. There is no simple answer.”
With an instantly recognisable style of refined simplicity and arresting pop iconography, Jeremyville imbues his work with thoughtful messages of social and personal change. Global brands Disney, Converse, Mercedes Benz, LeSportsac, Cappellini, Kiehl’s, Colette and Uniqlo have all utilised his talent.
Jeremyville has been exhibited at the Andy Warhol Museum in the US and other museums in Spain, Italy and France and has works in private collections around the world. The New York Times recently ranked him one of 100 best illustrators of all time.
Meanwhile the JeremyvilleCSA’s is a global project featuring deceptively simple messages paired with his sparse, almost poetic text that’s being championed by his 100,000 followers on the social media. They keep the messages flowing through paste-ups and personal projects from Hong Kong to Belgium and Paris and from Ferrara in Italy to Thailand.
“Connecting with another person in a real and meaningful way is the most important thing that art can do,” Jeremyville says. “I hope you can visit my installation at CentralWorld and connect in some way with the messages.”