I have always created art, but after realizing how many pieces of framed art ended up discarded in dumpsters, I shifted my focus from creating fine art from new materials to creating fine art from found materials. As the world becomes increasingly dependent on automated technology, the obsolete or broken items end up rejected and forgotten. I began to see the many possibilities in discarded objects. I imagined the life inherent in the piles of items other people discounted as useless detritus.
Increasingly, advances in technology have left me feeling alienated and obsolete. These feelings inspired me to expand my work to include sculpture assembled from found materials. Not only does this work allow me to engage creatively with a variety of materials, it also is an environmentally friendly way to create art. I resurrect junk objects, giving them life again through the creation of new forms. The robot sculptures I make are not limited by the advancements of technology, and serve to remind me that the term “obsolete” is more a frame of mind than a fact of life.
The original image for “Robot 51″.
©2012 RIPT Apparel LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Leave A Comment for Robot 51
Andrius
Color? Silver?
JMayle
Very nice design/ Love the colors, texture, and detail.
whhiitt
confused
but
i fucking dig it
:)
Matt
Yep. It’s a silver tee.
mkipiniak
Am I missing something with the ’51′?
Paul
If you want to know more about the Atomic Sketch Event, which John Airo will be featured at this Thursday, check out the blog I wrote with photos of our attendance last month.
Andrius
51st shirt.
matt2kool
cool design. but i dont like that the artists name is on the shirt. it’s a t-shirt, not a painting.
ovenrude
Art goes far beyond just painting. The media that a piece of art is printed on is really has no effect on its artistic value. Just think of it as a much easier way to transport your favorite painting around.
TJ
@overnrude – So well said
@matt2kool – We are actually suggesting to our artists that they include a signature on their shirt. We feel it gives it much more personality and makes it literally a wearable piece of art. Not all artists have been doing it, but we encourage it
Paul
Actually, in all honesty, the signature IS super large, we probably could’ve made it a bit smaller.
Paul
Anyone in Chicago interested in checking out Atomic Sketch now? :D
Spastastic Nomadic
I like the design, and would have considered it as a gift, but that sig is wickedly large. If you’re going to allow (& encourage) sigs on tees, then at least have them incorporated into the artwork. As it is, it just seems distracting and not wearable.
Paul
I’m pretty sure the tee is still wearable. :-)
Schlomo
I think having the signature large like that is really cool, personally. It strikes me as something similar to a really cool band shirt. I don’t complain when the band shirts I wear have the band’s name in large letters, because I like the band and I want to support them. Why can’t an artist you like be the same type of thing?
Spastastic Nomadic
Well, I don’t wear band tees, either. :/
cbok
That drawing would look cool if it wasn’t posterized in photoshop.
Paul
The original image was a bit too muddy to translate well onto a tee, so we altered it a bit just for the tee. I’ll try to post the original.
C
Wow I can’t believe how hypercritical people can be. The design is wonderful, very wearable on a t shirt and I love it! I’m buying TWO
Heatha
@C: I totally agree about the hypercritical people. It’s a cool t-shirt design and costs 10 bucks. When the artist gets huge, they’ll be begging for his autograph. I love the idea of wearable art in general, and this artist’s philosophy is right on. My sister and I bought 5 and think they’ll make great gifts.
Sis
I think it’s awesome!!! I’m buying one for whole family. Good job John. I really like the large print autograph!!
Steve Lobo
I honestly love the idea of a signature. Nobody hates on Paul Frank for doing it (I don’t think they do at least).
nonna
Love the design John!!!I would have recognized those eyes anywhere….you manage to put humanity even into the eyes of a cartoon character!Love the signature on the shirt too….with a name like John Airo, whats not to love!!Hey it works for Calvin Klein and the like , Right??!!