Meet Ton Ayres | Visual Artist & Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ton Ayres and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ton, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

Being resourceful is the most important thing behind my success.

Art has been in my life since I was very young, Growing in up in a humble family in Brazil I began learning arts and crafts when I was only 11 years old. At that time my mom taught me how to recycle and reuse things and turn it into art.

With a background in Graphic Design I’ve always been curious about many different art segments and I set a goal to explore all those areas. So I went from Design to Illustration, Fashion, Animation, Graffiti and many more. The versatility of each media opened my mind on how to better use my resources and skills.

Working with what I love also makes a huge difference. Art is a vehicle of expression, it can make people see and feel things they usually wouldn’t if not challenged to do so.

Bringing together art and sustainability to help our culture takes on more social responsibility and is the main goal of my journey while having fun creating, building bridges and relationships between minds that think a like. Working on all 3 pillars of sustainability environmental, social and economic.

Sustainability is becoming more important everyday and it’s already impossible to ignore that our world needs to slow down.

So I believe that what keeps me striving and plays a big role in what I do is the goal, that touches peoples hearts with my art while leaving a legacy for future generations.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My art has 3 main pillars that helps shape my career.

Representativity – Art is resistance. I believe society has reparations to do with black people, and it’s unacceptable that we still see all the racism and the injustices on a daily basis towards black people and the black culture. I strive to bring awareness about the cause by representing my own, getting involved in projects that praises our culture and bring more characters that will inspire other people that don’t feel included in the world we live in.

Sustainability – We must start thinking greener if we want to less our impact on this world, and by bringing art and sustainability together, I am proud to keep the conversation going, making people aware in order to take action. Knowing I was able to transform things and make a new use for it had a huge impact on the way I saw the world and approached my craft.

Love – The love for art and what I do. Through art, I am able to make people understand feelings and connect to something or others. I want to leave a positive legacy in this world so I also work with a few ONG’s in a couple different countries, trying to improve people’s quality of life, lessen their suffering and give them something to believe in.

Art is always in motion just like I was to get to where I am today. During my journey I had to reinvent myself many times, while traveling and moving to different places and countries.

Even though I started creating at a very young age I’ve only decided to be an artist 6 years ago, after I quit playing pro soccer, and it’s incredible what I have been able to accomplish during a short period.

The changes in my environment, language and culture helped find different ways to solve problems with art.

Art has helped me through various times and I like to believe that when I create it can give wings to other people’s dreams.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

A Pineapple Live Party. Pineapple Live is a project where myself, and my business partner Igor Lascani a visionary when it comes to event producing together with a team of passionate and creative people guided for the beauty of art and the magic of music, throw techno and deep house parties that are more like an experience where you immerse yourself in a world of art, music and self-expression.

San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts

They collect and preserve fine art made by African Americans and offers both public and educational programs.

California Dreams Hostel.

A great hostel for whoever needs a cool place close to the shore at Pacific Beach, with a cool and friendly environment. Pedro is an amazing host and will do the best to attend your needs.

Balboa Park – World Beat Center

A place I love to get some air and experience art shows and some cultural movements they present there.

They also have the World Beat Centre on-profit multicultural art organization.

Sunset Cliffs

Knowing for some of the best sunsets in San Diego.

North Park Graffiti

As a graffiti artist I love the colors and all the beautiful art spread at the neighbour.

Torrey Pines Gliderport

Great place if you like to try hang gliders and parasailers flying above 200-300 foot cliffs right above Blacks Beach.

House of Blues

Great variety of concerts and good music.

The potato Chip Mountain

Take the famous picture.

Queen Califia’s Magical Circle

A place filled with large, colorful pieces by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle.

Kushi Suchi

This place in PB where I with great japanese food and friendly environment.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I own everything I’ve become to my family.

I’m very thankful for having parents that were always really supportive, who sacrificed a lot to raise me.

We live in a world where not all kids have the “privilege” to live in a loving environment, so I understand everything my parents taught me helped shape my carrier and my personality.

It’s a bit funny that the moment I decided to work with art and design I’ve heard my mom saying:

“One day you will be one of the best artists in the world, I’ve seen in my dreams.”

I always thought it was just a mom that love and supports her son being optimist, but as I grown as an artist and after a couple projects with memorable people, I see that it might become reality if really put my heart to it. Which brings me to my dads influence, even being from a different time and not understanding much off what I do, he always been very supportive and encouraged me to go after I want and that no dream is impossible.

Website: https://www.tonayres.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonayres/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonioayresgd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayresrecycle

Image Credits
Club Photo Pineapple Live | Tanya Nesta