Street Identity: Slick, OG Slick
Slick stands as one of the great conceptual satirists of our era. His oeuvre serves as a masterclass in parody and satire, incisively commenting on social and political issues as well as the human condition.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Slick relocated to Los Angeles in 1986 at the age of 19, where he emerged as a pivotal figure in the global graffiti movement, particularly influencing the West Coast scene. In addition to his graffiti artistry, Slick cultivated a significant commercial art practice and played a leading role in American streetwear culture, adapting his distinctive satirical style for a wider audience. Central to Slick’s practice is a subversive tension. His work spans traditional graffiti burners, streetwear, toy design, site-specific installations, public sculpture, and studio painting. Slick's critiques of popular culture and normative behaviors are framed by a fascination with natural decay and human destruction. His oeuvre ranges from anti-branding reinterpretations of corporate logos to battle-driven, chiaroscuro-influenced burners and deviously playful sculptures.
A pioneer in streetwear, Slick has been the creative director for brands such as Fuct and Shaolin Worldwide, among others, along with countless commissions. His recent sculptural and installation commissions around the world have expanded the scope of his practice. Notable works include the 15-foot-tall sculpture “Love Gloves” and the large-scale piece “Three Slick Pigs,” both created in 2019 in Shanghai, China. These works situate Slick’s hyper-cartoonish yet soulfully personified characters in public spaces. Internationally recognized and celebrated locally for his seminal “LA Hands” image, Slick frequently reworks the iconic hands in various mediums, including canvas, walls, sculpture, and installation. Slick’s work has been exhibited at prominent venues such as the Museum of Contemporary Art (Los Angeles), the Chinese American Museum (Los Angeles), Beyond The Streets (traveling), and LA Louver (Los Angeles), among others.