Momo pulls, pushes pixel art
SCAD grad Momo has a three-part vision - in perler beads.
Kentucky native and Atlanta-based artist Momo Unspoken is a woman of many artistic talents, best known for her pixel fashion and abstract paintings. After graduating from SCAD in August 2015, Momo has made quite a splash in the art realm. Her debut exhibit Momoland comes to the Paragon 7 Studio Sat., March 26, from 7-11 p.m.
Momo’s upcoming show is a unique experience that’s more than just art hanging on the walls. Momoland is segmented into three parts: the art gallery, a fashion show, and a pop-up shop.
“I want people to be surprised and shocked,” she says. “I want people to feel like they’re going to something they’ve never seen before.” Each room of the art gallery explores different themes. The first theme, “Black Pixels,” contains art with primarily dark colors and heavy usage of perler beads. She says it represents her art mixed with the digital age.
Momo says she used perler beads as a kid, and remembered sucking at it. Then, while at SCAD, she was trying to figure out a way to wear her logo without putting it on a T-shirt like everyone else. She says one day a classmate passed her in the hallway wearing a My Little Pony necklace made of perler beads, and it all clicked. “I was like, ‘Oh shit! I forgot about those,’” she says. “I was so hyped.” She says that’s all it took for her to realize she could uniquely use perler beads to enhance her pixel art.
The room dubbed “Draco White” features collaborative work from visual artist and designer Johnny Draco, and most of the pieces are exclusively black and white. A “Digital Blue” room focuses on pop art and society, using shapes and geometric themes with various shades of blue. The last room, “Anime Pink,” uses vibrant colors to express her love for anime and comic books.
The fashion show displays pixel fashion created by Momo, including watches, hats, patches, bracelets, glasses, and earrings, with live music from DJ D - The Mashup Monster, who’s music and fashion style best correlate with her show, especially “Digital Blue,” Momo says. The night also entails a surprise musical performance, and a pop-up shop, so guests may purchase Momo’s visual art or pixel fashion art fares.
Momo’s upcoming show marks the launch of her brand and is only the beginning of a three-part installment of Momoland. Following her Atlanta exhibit, she plans on moving to New York City to unveil the second chapter. Eventually, she says she wants to move to Tokyo to open a Momoland store and host the third and final segment.
“I’m really into making ordinary things extraordinary,” she says. “It’s all about pushing the limits of things.”
Momoland debuts at the Paragon 7 Studio Sat., March 26, from 7-11 p.m.