Miami, FL – June 22, 2018 – Brightline announced its collaboration with Typoe, internationally known and Miami-based multidisciplinary artist, who created a permanent art installation at MiamiCentral, the new 11-acre intermodal development in the heart of downtown Miami. Typoe’s movement-themed murals live on a main wall and two surrounding columns in the ticketed guest lobby at MiamiCentral. Typoe’s installation is one of the first steps in blending culture and community into each of Brightline’s three South Florida station. World Red Eye got the inside scoop behind Typoe’s newest art installation at the unveiling celebration at the Brightline station.

WRE: Tell us about how this all began. Where did you study and learn the tools to become the artist that you are today?

Typoe: I’m self taught for the most part. My mom, older sister, and great aunt are all artists so I picked it up from there. The rest I learned from books and playing with things.

WRE: What was your inspiration behind your new mural at the Brightline Station?

Typoe: The main concept for the Brightline was movement. I wanted to use optical illusions, color, and design to bring people on a journey. Every wall has a different design so you can interact with each area in a new way. This is the start of a new creative initiative for the Brightline and it is an honor to be the first one to spearhead this project. The whole point is to integrate into the fabric of the city. They could have brought any artist from around the world and it says a lot that they are utilizing the city they are in. That is very important and other institutions and companies can learn from their initiative.

Miami is completely influencing my work. Just the colors alone that I work with are inspired by the landscape around me. My mind is always stuck on such intense bright colors.

Typoe

WRE: How do travelers at Brightline Station interact with your piece of work? 

Typoe: I’ve already seen people taking pictures and interacting with my work there, it’s really fun to watch. Kids love the colors and take really awesome pictures with it. I think really everyone has their own approach to it. I just want the travelers to be able to freely move along the mural with ease and also be engaged at the same time. The optical illusions get to play with your perspective in different areas and that is always something that I think will pull people into the mural and make them think about they space they are in.

WRE: How long did the project take to execute?

Typoe: This piece took a little over a week with 6 assistants with paint brushes going at almost 20 hour shifts to get it done. The planning process before that was about a month or two leading up to that final installation period. Afterwards, I slept for a very long time haha.

WRE: Miami is one of the world’s most diverse cities. How does living in Miami influence your art? 

Typoe: Miami is completely influencing my work. Just the colors alone that I work with are inspired by the landscape around me. My mind is always stuck on such intense bright colors. I’ve lived here my whole life so the lifestyle and buildings and neons find there way into my work all the time. I can’t escape it.

WRE: How has your art evolved throughout the years?

Typoe: As I grow up and mature as a person, my work does the same exact thing. For example, when I was in my early twenties, I feel like my work was much darker and in a more aggressive scattered state. Which was a reflection of where my life was at the time. Now that I am 34 years old, things are just different for me and my work reflects that. I see the world through a much more positive lens now.

WRE: Whats is next for you? Do you have any major projects in the works? 

Typoe: Yes! I have many things to come. A solo show in Miami in September. I’m working with ADIDAS on a store project on south beach to launch this summer. And so many more exciting things that I’ll be ready to share soon!