Justin Bua Bio (Biography)

Justin Bua Bio

Born in New York in 1968 to a single mom Justin Bua grew up in NYC's raw and wild Upper West Side. A third-generation artist following in the footsteps of his mother and grandfather, he first got attention as a breakdancer and a graffiti artist. In fact, while a student at New York's High School of Music and Performing Arts (F.A.M.E), he took a year off to tour internationally as a break dancer with The New York Express in a show created by famous choreographer Julie Arenal. After high school, he went on to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California where he earned a B.F.A in Illustration. There, Bua learned the technical skills that allowed him to unleash his creativity. He began his art career by doing slick bottom paintings for skateboards. He went on to develop the characters and backgrounds for the EA Sports video game, "NBA Street." He then created the world for Slum Village's award winning music video, "Tainted". Bua teamed up with EA Sports again as the visual consultant for their best-selling game, "NFL Street". His collaboration with PF Flyers brought art onto the streets with his limited edition shoe line released in May 2004. The shoe line sold out within hours of its release and Bua will release his second shoe line and his first apparel line in 2005. His book, tentatively entitled Bua: The Beat of Urban Art is currently in production. Bua's audience is a diverse group that ranges from street kids to former US Presidents, graffiti writers to fine art connoisseurs, rap and hip hop fans to jazz aficionados. Bua also teaches Figure Drawing in the Fine Arts Department at the University of Southern California (USC).

Among Justin Bua's most popular workds are The D.J., El Guitarrista, Piano Man II, Jazz Trio, Trumpet Man, The Block, Poker Game, The MC, Caterpillar, CyberSquatter, Rising, Graffiti is Art, The Artist, Piano Man, Como No, In the Sky, Green Street, Midnight Solo, Jazz Quintet, The Block, Four of a Kind Beats a Full House and Saxophone.