A picture is worth a thousand words, and in Akumal we have pictures galore! You may have noticed the new face on Gillys in Akumal Pueblo – and inside the restaurant as well.
Not to be outdone, Hekab Be library in Akumal Playa has also been rejuvenated by a visual presentation of a Nelson Mandela quotation.
Who’s the mastermind –and hand – responsible for the face lifts? Se llama Jake Gardiner.
Jake comes to Mexico and the Akumal area from Leeds, England, where he began painting when he was eight. His family boasts other artists — Jake’s granddad was a well-known sculptor and an uncle was a poet. After high school Jake enrolled in art studies but a year later opted for real life experience as a graffiti artist instead: “It’s nice to plunk yourself into the deep end and work it out!” At 16, he adopted “Klone” or “Klonism” as his street-art name.
Since he’s been in the Riviera Maya area, Jake has worked on projects in Tulum at Cuba Ko Blanco and in Playa del Carmen. Probably the largest is a 30 meter long mural at Playa Animal Rescue, a work still in progress. Also, on 25th Ave. a few blocks north of Constituyentes you can see a 10 meter tall Klonism shouting out the bakery name — Miga Playa Bakery!
Most recently Jake and artist “Dan Q” from Mexico City worked together to transform a wrecked boat on the beach at Solimán Bay into a work of art — it just makes you smile to see it. Jake has collaborated with other artists in the past, saying there is a spirit of collegiality in street art.
Jake lives on a ranch west of Akumal Pueblo with his wife Nicky, a writer and editor, and their daughter Lily Bee, who was born in Mexico last autumn and is reputed to be the happiest baby on the planet! He has installed solar, so is online. You can reach Jake at Www.facebook.com/klonism and Www.knowhowart.tumblr.com
Instagram – klonism Twitter – klone2061 He does digital design as well as spray art.
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