Interview
Chopperstylzz
Chopperstylzz is a self-taught contemporary artist whose work fuses street energy, cosmic abstraction, and mythic storytelling — all painted on one of the rarest canvases in modern art: decommissioned federal prison uniforms. His journey from confinement to creative ignition is not just a backstory — it is the engine of his entire artistic identity. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and raised in a world of culinary creativity and martial discipline, he always possessed an instinct for expression. But it wasn’t until a series of life-altering events led to federal incarceration in 2017 that his artistic voice fully awakened.
When traditional supplies ran out in prison, he began cutting, sewing, and stretching khaki uniforms into makeshift canvases — igniting what is now known as FEDWEAR, a groundbreaking body of work rooted in transformation, defiance, and rebirth. Each piece carries emotional residue from the many lives those uniforms once touched, turning every painting into a layered artifact of American carceral history. His bold, fast, and intuitive brushwork mirrors the chaos of his past while channeling a newfound spiritual clarity. Today, his work blends sensual pop influences, Chicano aesthetics, cinematic tension, and warrior mythology into a visual language that refuses containment — a reflection of the belief that genius survives even the harshest environments. With FEDWEAR ending upon his release, this chapter of his oeuvre is finite, historically significant, and already generating attention from collectors, curators, and cultural commentators. Chopperstylzz’s art is more than image — it is redemption made visible, rebellion made beautiful, and proof that creativity can turn confinement into legacy.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My journey into the art world wasn’t planned — it was born out of necessity. I started painting while I was incarcerated, at a moment in my life when everything felt stripped away. When traditional supplies ran out, I cut apart federal prison uniforms and stitched them together to create canvases. That’s how the FEDWEAR era began. What started as survival turned into expression. Expression turned into identity. Art became the doorway back to myself — and ultimately, to my freedom.”
What inspires you?
“Transformation inspires me — the idea that something broken, overlooked, or discarded can become powerful, beautiful, and meaningful. I’m inspired by the people I’ve met, the cultures I’ve studied, and the emotional textures of my past. The streets, mythology, Miami neon, martial discipline, Chicano lines, Wu-Tang’s philosophy — I pull from everything that shaped me. Above all, I’m inspired by the belief that anyone can rewrite their story.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My work deals with rebirth, identity, survival, and the tension between light and shadow — both in a person and in society. I explore modern mythology, street culture, and spiritual symbolism through vivid color and bold line work. The underlying message is always the same: nothing is wasted — not your past, not your pain, not your mistakes. Everything can be transformed.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is what happens when street art, pop culture, mythology, and raw human experience collide. The style is bold, neon, emotional, and cinematic — but the foundation is deeply personal. Every piece carries the DNA of its canvas. Every brushstroke is fast, intuitive, and alive. And since FEDWEAR canvases will never exist again, each work is literally one-of-one in history.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I’m influenced by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s honesty, Retna’s script, El Mac’s precision, and the vibrancy of Miami’s street scene. But I’m equally inspired by nontraditional artists — tattooers, graffiti writers, martial artists, musicians — people who create under pressure, without permission, and without waiting for validation.”
What is your creative process like?
“My process is instinct-driven. I paint fast, almost like a fight — letting the energy decide the direction. I don’t sketch much; I respond. When I work on FEDWEAR canvases, I honor the material first. Those uniforms carry stories, trauma, memory, and humanity. I build the art around that energy. Every piece starts with intention, ends with transformation, and evolves while I’m in the middle of it.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s job is to reveal truth — not the polished truth, but the uncomfortable, emotional, human truth beneath it. Artists document culture, challenge it, and add to it. I believe the next era of art belongs to people with real stories, real scars, and real voices — not just technique or trends. Art is becoming more personal, more raw, and more necessary.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Miami Art Basel marks the first major exhibition of the FEDWEAR collection — a body of work born during confinement and completed after release. Every piece in this collection represents a miracle of persistence, risk, and rebirth. This exhibition is the official public debut of my story and my future as an artist.”
Website: www.chopperstylzz.com
Instagram: @chopperstylzz
