Jojo Anavim is an American contemporary visual artist. Anavim's work features a blend of pop art and street-art influences and employs a large variety of materials and techniques including collage and acrylic paints.[1]
Background
He was born to Persian-Jewish parents who emigrated from Iran prior to the Islamic Revolution in 1979.[1] Anavim's mother, a marketing manager, and his father, a jeweler, encouraged his interest in the arts. They enrolled him in art classes taught by Al Baruch, the Disney animator who created Captain Hook and Mighty Mouse.[2] As a child, Anavim was naturally drawn to design; namely the typography, juxtaposition and colorful artwork of commercial packaging.[3]
'Don't Post That' mural for Canvas Condo Apartments, Long Island City.
Career
After studying Business at Hofstra University for one year, Anavim transferred to Hunter College.[1] Afterwards, he worked as a contract graphic designer. Anavim enjoyed success as a graphic designer; creating print and digital ad campaigns for businesses such as W Hotels and Sephora, and album art for artists with Universal Music Group, such as The Chainsmokers.[3]
Anavim has said “I try to draw out those warm, fuzzy emotions of happiness in people — and when I do, I have done my job.”[3] His work can include over 100 layers of collage, acrylic and aerosol paints, oil pastels, diamond dust, silk-screen, gel transfers and more. In his original piece for Amar’e Stoudemire, Anavim tracked down copies of The New York Times article from 1948 announcing the independence of the State of Israel, incorporating the historic moment in his collage.[3]
