You ever know somebody that was so damn good at everything that their perfection inspired jealousy and bred anger from deep within you soul causing you to feel shameful because they’re actually someone close to you? Well that pretty much sums up how we feel about Beautiful Decay every time they drop a series and the new holiday release is just more of the same – talented artists making incredible designs on exquisitely made garments.
Skwak, the issue J headliner, is back with another version of his Koogai monsters that feed on the (mostly evil) energy of our world. Here they are jumbled up in a gathering of mass suffering at the hands of society. I feel like a wimp complaining about my sour stomach when these guys are violently vomiting from the repulsive rays of evil that seem to be the only meal they can get these days. Their pain is meant to express disgust at the world around us, and judging by their bulging little eyes things aren’t looking good. Check out Skwak’s site for some more impressive illustrations and toys.
Aya Kato is another featured cover artist who has concentrated her immense talents to produce an exclusive line of sixteen very cool t-shirts. One of my favorites is this Pyramid tee which depicts a gorgeous tower set in a landscape of stylized trees and clouds and cotton candy (??). Visit the Beautiful Decay site to see the rest of the line.
Our friends over at Beautiful Decay have just totally revamped their site adding some great new interactive features for a real community feel. If you want to know what’s what in the art world – the trendiest event in your town, the gallery to explore on your next urban adventure - this is pretty much THE place to be. In addition to the Public Feed, which allowed visitors to post their own content, the site now lets you post your own events in the Events section. Considering the kind of patronage BD attracts, this is a perfect way for artists to promote their shows and get their work out there. This accessibility to a sometimes pretentious or even slightly unapproachable world is exactly what has made all of BD’s ventures so successful. Their youthful and informed approach to traditional high art and the pairing of that world with graffiti, graphic design, music, and fashion has made it much more relevant to a young, design savvy audience. Plus, the site looks just as good as it sounds and they make some hot ass t-shirts! So do yourself a favor: get your mind right and go get some culture at www.beautifuldecay.com.
P.S. we’ll be getting some of BD’s finest designs in the shop in a few weeks so check back sucka.
Beautiful Decay always has a knack for finding breakthrough creative talent and that’s why their artist series tees are some of the most exceptional around. This sketched beauty is brought to us by the masterful hand of comic book illustrator, James Callahan, whose exquisitely deranged line work has garnered him the description “retarded genius”. Looking at the “Barf 3D” shirt, I would have to say that I agree. Not only is the skull on the shirt puking its freaking brains out, but its loony tune collection of thoughts is spewing everywhere as well. And if that didn’t repulse you enough, you can put on a pair of specs and enjoy this gross display in glorious three-dimensional reality. I think this might be a perfect self-portrait for a “retarded genius” like James. Check out his site for comics, skateboard decks, and more.
I know we haven’t done a lot of coverage for the females out there (and we really have no good excuse for it) but since you’ve been real patient with us while we get our shit together, here’s a treat just for you girlies out there. The Evil Genius came up with this crazy tee and it’s just another great piece from the Beautiful Decay collection. With a mixture of cartoon art and real life head shots dominated by the creepy placements of the all seeing eye, the Evil Genius really lives up his name. Now when you walk by a group of dudes, you can be sure they’re looking at your shirt and not anything else.
Beautiful Decay seems to always come up some sick collaboration efforts and this newest release is no different. Working with SPRFKR a.k.a Super + Fucker, they have come up with some shirts that really blew our mind. This dark portrayal of a girl who looks like she could use a super sized number one at Mickey D’s, definitely creeped us out but in a good way. Any chick that has the balls to hold human skulls in her arms and tattoo her entire upper body can come home with us. Pick this up here, and put it on cause you really can’t be naked ALL the time. Oh, and they got a girls version too. Crazy
This Beautiful Decay/Fat Cop XXL collaboration set is limited to only 200 of each. The shirts are hot but the great part about this set is that the design isn’t complete without both the guys and girls pieces. Alone they represent just one part of the dualities of life. The guy’s shirt shows soldiers about to fire on an enemy repesenting death and war while the girl’s version shows the serene, peaceful side of life. Guys, anytime you find yourself in trouble with your lady, get her this shirt and show her she is everything that is good in your relationship. On the other hand, lady’s, if your guy is being a prick, buy him this shirt using his credit card and then kick his ass out the door.
Revolutionary art mag Beautiful Decay offers some very well designed, printed, and cut t-shirts. Their latest collaboration with Polish artist Jan Kallwejt is one of their hottest designs to date – the Lung Music Shirt. The design looks like the digestive system of my old Walkman getting its musical nourishment from eating my tapes. The plastic snacks travel through the whole body giving nutrition to the microphone bronchi, and sliding through the twist cord abdomen. It brings back painful memories, but it’s definitely a poignant metaphor for living and breathing music.
Check out the rest of the line at the Beautiful Decay shop.
