Art Legends by Traver Dodorye

Art is a way that we all as humans can express ourselves. Some of us leave our legacy behind and some of us go unnoticed. There are numerous amounts of artists that we admire because of their legacy and the story of struggle before their success. Success can come after death, but for most artists it do come after they die. Artists like Pablo Picasso, Jean michael Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt, Joan Miro, Claude Monet, Keith Haring, and the list goes on. The most important thing that stands behind is their legacy. They inspire young artist like myself not to look at the paycheck but the legacy you will leave behind.  

Jay-z buys basquiat custom hood from swizz beatz for good cause.

Jay-Z recently purchased a piece of art by Swizz Beatz that portrays the image of iconic artist Jean-Michel Basquiat painted on a Mercedes-Benz hood. I understand all of the proceeds from this and a bunch of other pieces Swizz has created will be donated to a charity that benefits kids. Which is cool.

Some of the other pieces Swizz is selling also feature the likenesses of highly recognizable cultural icons, including Muhammad Ali and of course, the ever marketable Bob Marley. I grew up doing graffiti and SAMO was always one of my personal idols, long before his name became the default signifier for people looking to evoke an air of artsy counter-culture chic.

One of Basquiat’s paintings sold earlier this week for $29 million. Back in May, one of his pieces sold for a staggering $49 Million. His work can now be found emblazoned onsneakers and t-shirts. And there’s nothing wrong with any of that. Whoever controls Basquiat’s estate should get that money. And while I can appreciate that his art is being increasingly embraced by a wider and younger audience independent of the art community, sometimes I have to wonder if everybody out there dropping his name really understands the legacy or if they just want to soak up some of that cool long associated with his brand.

Do it for the people!

Traver Dodorye speaks on what encourages him to keep striving in the art industry. When art took an affect on his life at the age of 16 or 17 Traver speaks on how he could never imagine it would mean so much to him as it's meaning today. "It is a cultural thing for me, I do it for my peoples. One kings dream is not to leave earth with anything but what you leave behind is the most important thing. Will what you leave behind be temporary? Will it be millions of dollars or art that will make history after death. Sometime I do sit back and wonder after I past will I become famous but as of chasing fame that is not my goal. I do what I love and people respect that." Traver speaks on a quote he saw online about his inspiration Jean Michel Basquiat "In an age of limitless options and limiting fears, he still makes poems and paintings to evoke his world". Mr. Dodorye says he feels like people live life in fear of becoming successful and let the economy and obstacles in life hold them back, "you can't let them take your dream it's equivalent  to letting them take your soul!"

Traver Dodorye speaks on the influence of Art

Mr. Dodorye speaks on how Art has influenced him

Traver Dodorye speaks on the influence of art and how it has made him become the person he is today. "Without art  I don't know where I would be today, It has allowed me to express myself in which not too many people will understand you". Mr. Dodorye has been influenced so much by art and his inspiration Jean Michel Basquiat and Picasso. Traver paints on what ever he can, shirts, canvas, mirrors, humans. An upcoming artist like Traver is dedicated to his craft and expresses how appreciative he is for his craft art and says the world will soon know who Mr. Dodorye is.