Lately, many new fans have likely found out about Grotesk’s work thanks to the hype that his –hyper recognisable– silicone sculptures that he’s made with cube-shaped cartoon characters as inspiration has, which have taken minimalism to more of a stumpy sense of humour. What’s interesting about this unique style is that he has applied to the world of fashion and, suddenly, his toys have been decorated with the latest Ralph Lauren collections (especially, the now-iconic Stadium 1992 and Snow Beach).
GROTESK, YOU’LL KNOW HIM FOR HIS SCULPTURES
Grotesk’s sculptures have become some of the most stimulating hyped-up objects of the season. And it comes as no surprise, as some of them (like the ones that are inspired by one of Ralph Lauren’s most recent collections) are purely toy collectors’ items. But, still, Grotesk has been working for quite a while now. And, before that, we had already lived other hyped-up items along with him.
But, wait, because this might be latest and most novel hyped-product from Grotesk, but, in fact, this artist has a lot of experience behind him, having had worked in this field for more than ten years. Which is why we’ve already lived up a few hypes by his side. So let’s start from the beginning and remember that, even though his art is considered quintessentially New York-inspired, in fact, Kimou Meyer comes from Europe. From Geneva (Switzerland), to be more precise. It was in Brussels (Belgium), however, where a professor from his university was so transfixed by his approach on art direction that he hired him for his New York studio. Obviously, in the aforementioned studio, he didn’t last more than two years before falling for his first big brand: Ecko Unltd. And from there he went on to collaborate with other brands of the calibre of Alife, Stüssy, Uniqlo or Nike.
A true meteoric rise that served for him to come back down to earth with several projects of his own: the creative agency Doubleday and Cartwright, the e-zine Victory Journal (specialised in content that blends culture and sports, two of his greatest obsessions) and the clothing brand NoMas. However, the project that gives Kimou Meyer the most joy continues to provide him with an adventure as an illustrator and artist under the name of Grotesk. A name that, by the way, he chose as a homage to the Neue Haas Grotesk font. You know, those artists from the 21st-century who are obsessed with typography.
Under this alias, he’s been able to build his own imagery that could be defined as sort of a midway point between Parra’s pop silhouettes and Miroslav Sasek’s most traditional shapes. All of this joined together with the silver thread that is street culture. Even though, increasingly, it’s becoming unnecessary and impossible to use external references to talk about Grotesk, as Kimou Meyer has managed to define his own completely original style. Completely recognisable. And, above all, eternally mutant. As mutant as admitting collaborations, like the one with Ralph Lauren and being able to integrate his own universe without letting the brand eat at his creativity. And so now that we’re done with the hype over Grotesk’s sculptures, we have to ask ourselves: what’s next?
