Tokyo, Japan 2016
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BIOThe Producer BDB (Bryan Avila, b. 1983)
is a Los Angeles-based contemporary artist whose work serves as a vibrant intersection between high-fashion luxury and urban street culture. Emerging from the California street art scene, Avila has spent over a decade redefining how we view historical icons. His signature "Updated" series—which reimagines figures like Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Karl Lagerfeld, and Frida Kahlo through a lens of modern streetwear—has garnered international acclaim, leading to major exhibitions in Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Miami. Beyond the gallery walls, Avila’s influence extends into the corporate and philanthropic sectors. His large-scale murals are permanently featured at Universal Studios Hollywood, and his work is held in the global collections of Delta Airlines. In recent years, his practice has evolved to include a deep commitment to social impact. As the Lead Artist-in-Residence for the Athletes 4 Life Foundation, Avila mentors youth through the "Art ‘n’ the Schools" initiative, bridging the gap between underserved communities and the world’s most prestigious art fairs, including the LA Art Show and Art Palm Beach. Avila continues to push the boundaries of "Urban Pop," recently exhibiting at Rosenbaum Contemporary alongside legendary figures Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf, cementing his place in the lineage of artists who translate the pulse of the street into the language of fine art. Artist Statement "My work is a dialogue between the legacy of the past and the 'hype' of the present. I am fascinated by the concept of the 'Icon'—how a person’s image becomes a brand, and how that brand evolves over generations. By 'updating' historical figures—dressing Warhol in contemporary streetwear or placing Basquiat in a modern luxury context—I am not just paying homage; I am inviting these legends into our current cultural moment. I view the canvas as a remix. Just as a producer layers sounds to create a track, I layer textures, fashion, and pop-culture motifs to create a visual narrative that feels both nostalgic and immediate. My process is deeply rooted in the energy of the street, but it is refined by a reverence for high-fashion aesthetics and the meticulous craftsmanship of fine art. Ultimately, my goal is accessibility. Whether through a permanent mural in a public space or a curated gallery show, I want to bridge the divide between the elite art world and the next generation of creators. Art should be a mirror that reflects where we’ve been, but dressed in the style of where we are going." |
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About Bryan AvilaWaiting on the documentry
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