My newest reclaimed globe, FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET, sold to one of my loyal collectors, filmmaker Spike Lee. The piece, which pays tribute to the legendary hip hop album of the same name by Public Enemy, is inspired by the iconic music as well as the political message that resonates (still) in today’s political climate.

I regularly seek out globes, the kind we used to find in school classrooms, to create art with strong messages. The first one I ever sold was a graffiti globe inspired by Tears for Fears “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” At first glance it’s a fun, colorful tribute to pop music from the 1980s. But a closer look reveals a planet in turmoil.

I also have two other globes currently available, one inspired by David Bowie called THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD (AS THE WORLD FALLS), which is a tribute to Bowie but also a commentary on greed. And the other globe inspired by Marvin Gaye, MERCY MERCY ME (WHATS GOING ON), is about the global climate crisis.

Music is often the doorway I walk through to create these projects. But they go deeper, tending to spotlight important issues and struggles we have as a global community. I like to think a globe is both a learning tool and a beautiful sculptural piece that can be transformed into text-based art in a fresh and contemporary way.

Bonus beat: Chuck D from Public Enemy was kind enough to share my work with his followers on Instagram. I’m thrilled that it has an amazing home with Spike, who helped make “Fight the Power” a rap anthem when it was featured in one of my favorite movies ever: Do the Right Thing.

Thanks to collectors who support living artists like me.