Urban Performance artist, Demont Peekaso, is known for his photographic memory and his entertainment of the senses. As a traditional painter, he is best known as the "visual archivist" for Raheem Devaughn's concert tour, capturing the live experience with paintbrush and canvas. Although he is trained "traditionally," his work is completely unorthodox and his presentation of visual art is totally unexpected.
Peekaso uses his paintbrush almost as a photographer; carefully (yet recklessly) capturing the verve of Devaughn's soulful joyride and his "rolling in the hay" blue-light balladeering on an oversized 5 foot by 7 foot canvas.
Watching Peekaso is like watching "The Joy of Painting" while tripped on LSD: color, scale, skewed lines and a luxuriant, ethereal vibe that brings to mind a new Harlem Renaissance, lavishly released from the mind of a soulful artistic genius.
Heed Magazine caught up with Peekaso at Gypsy Soul's "One Year Anniversary" at Teavolve in Baltimore. The scene was packed and the music was exceptional as always. This particular evening, soul artists Green Tea, Wes Felton, Alison Carney, Kentavious Jones, and Kimberly Nichole blessed the monthly music showcase (organized by events maven Kayenecha Daugherty). True to form, Peekaso did what he does best - with a brush, easel and every color of the paint box. Paradise, jazz, nature, blackness, and exotica (in yellow) strewn across a once blank canvas...who is this guy?
As the "silent band member" for Raheem Devaughn's touring band, Peekaso created the dramatic visual art for Devaughn's albums and eye-catching promotional materials. If you ever noticed the psychedelic urban artwork on Devaughn's album, then you've seen Peekaso's work. Peekaso does live-art as well and will stroke his brush onto a living body, t-shirt, brick wall, or concrete walkway. Peekaso seeks to bring life to all things and he does it well.
Peekaso was born in Queens, NY and moved to Washington DC in the late 80's. He has been creating visual art since birth and even designed his school yearbook in 1991. High Point High School, a school for gifted artistic youth, is where Peekaso began to spread his wings in many respects.
Peekaso hand painted t-shirts and jeans for himself and others, far ahead of the recent trend. He blesses hats, jackets, bandannas, tennis shoes and even purses "anything that will hold the paint" he notes. Plus, you haven't seen a portrait, until Peekaso does yours.
Peekaso has created custom-painted clothing for artists such as Jay-Z, P.Diddy, 50 Cent, Pharrell Williams, Russell Simmons, Missy Elliott, and Quincy Jones as well as several athletes and public figures. If you look close, you will even notice the ornate hand-painted apron worn by the legendary Patti Labelle on TV One's "Cooking With Patti" - bingo, "Peekaso was here".
Celebrity endorsement has provided the springboard for Peekaso to build his reputation. His work has adorned rap legend KRS ONE for Vibe Magazine, Mike Tyson at a memorable press conference before his 2005 fight, and several appearances on artists in the Source and XXL magazines.
Peekaso plays with other visual artists in the creative industry as well. His work has been used by graphic artists for the front cover of Billboard. His graphic designs have been used in the digital production for music videos with Lil Flip, Bobby Valentino, and Ludacris, and on stage for the Jimmy Kimmel television show.
Devaughn's upcoming album, Love and War Master-Peace, features Damian Marley, Dr. Cornell West and, Ludacris. Peekaso says he is very excited about the future. He also noted that Devaughn's tour (no dates confirmed) may be with "anyone, Prince, Jay-Z...who knows".
Previously, Peekaso has toured with New Edition and Brian McKnight, as well as the 24 city "Seagrams Live Tour" with Lil Mo, Xscape, and Sharissa. His onstage artwork is auctioned off after each show, providing the rare opportunity to take home a "living concert" and a night to remember.
Find out more about Demont Peekaso at http://www.myspace.com/peekaso
LIVE Podcast from Ear Candy's One Year Anniversary: http://thesoulcialista.podomatic.com/entry/2009-09-30T09_41_26-07_00 |
