“ Almost 10 years with a toy, travelling around the world with me from college in the States back to the UK, and a full circle moment that still leaves me speechless.”
Hey Louis, where are you located mate?
London, United Kingdom
What do you do for a living?
I’m a Social and Digital Editor
To break the ice, tell me your favourite movie or tv show of all time and why?
Futurama, for the heart and the humour.
How long have you been collecting for?
Since 2004.
If you were to describe your collection in one sentence, how would you say it?
Marvellous misc - an eclectic mix of kicks, comics, canvases and collectibles.
At what point did you decide that collecting was a real passion for you? Did you buy something special, did someone introduce you, was there a defining reason or moment that you can clearly remember?
I’d go to Richmond, London every Sunday as a kid with my parents and visit 30th Century Comics. I loved going in and chatting with fellow collectors who would clue me in to an exciting pick-up or nerd out to Bruce Timm’s Justice League. Winning the final bid on a CGC 7.0 ASM issue 20 aged 15 and owning a piece of history changed the game for me.
What is the absolute grail in your collection and why?
A personal grail recently ascended to a new level when Kaws personally signed my Pink Accomplice. Almost 10 years with a toy, travelling around the world with me from college in the States back to the UK, and a full circle moment that still leaves me speechless.
Kaws Accomplice, Pink (2002)
And, what would be the 4 other pieces that you would add to make your top 5?
A deadstock pair of Nike x Off-White Chicago’s, Avant Arte’s first Ly bronze sculpture ‘Standing with Luv’ and Haroshi’s white marble ‘Guzo’, an original artwork by Jean Jullien, and the DDT Futuraland X-6000 sculpture box set.
Name three of your favourite artists at the moment to collect and why?
Face Oka, Jun Oson and Yutaka Hashimoto. I’ve become completely obsessed with Japanese modern artists. It all started at a Moosey London group show where I fell in love with two original canvases by Jun and Yutaka. No artist is the same but there is a similar charm and originality to the works I’ve fallen for – especially those who have a familiar, contemporary character and distinct style.
Avant Arte ‘Standing with Luv’ LY Bronze Sculpture (2021)
Nike x Off-White Air Jordan Chicago (2017)
If you could spend a day with any artist, who would that be and what would you do?
Hands down Futura Dosmil. I remember watching an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’, where he meets up with Futura and they knock back a few beers on a rooftop in Brooklyn. It speaks to what life is all about – perfect moments with unique and remarkable people. (And you just know he has hella stories to tell!)
Share with me either your most unique collectible in your collection, or something that you feel is an honour to own (or just very special), and why?
An original Star Wars Clone Wars (the 2D animation) production drawing of General Grievous signed by John Dimaggio. It’s simple – Genndy Tartakovsky is one of my favourite animators on the planet, Jon Dimaggio is one of my favourite voice actors on Earth, and who doesn’t love Star Wars?
Avant Arte Haroshi ‘Guzo’ White Marble (2021)
DDT Futura X-6000 (2021)
Do you have any other weird and wacky hobbies?
I love drawing – often spend hours creating my own characters and compositions on paper and on the computer with my ancient Wacom graphics tablet.
If you were not allowed to collect anything that you already collect, but you had to collect something, what do you think it might be?
I have a huge passion for vintage cars, so I could definitely see myself in financial ruin with more cars than I could drive. Lucky for me, classic cars are super expensive and I’ve blown all my money on kicks and collectibles.
Lastly, if you had no price limit, what would be the one piece you would buy and why?
Money no object, anything by Piet Mondrian. Sometimes you can feel a certain way about a canvas and it doesn’t have to mean anything or everything. You can just enjoy the beauty of its simplicity and elegance and dream of having it on your wall. Mondrian was obviously hugely influential in shaping the abstract art movement but his paintings can be admired whether you know that or not.
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