At this year’s ComplexCOn in LA, 1800 Tequila created an installation that featured live mural art painting from graphic artist Ricardo Gonzalez, napkin portrait painting from Napkin Killa, and an interactive Quantal Quilt. Together these artists and 1800 Tequila shared their commitment to culture and helping to shape the modern and contemporary art landscape by, participating at the first ever ComplexCon. 1800 celebrates and works with both upcoming and notable artists who have refined their premium craft while retaining their personal edge and who have stayed true to their roots – much like the tequila itself.
We had the chance to speak with Ricardo Gonzalez who is a famous artist commissioned for the 1800 installation this past weekend (Nov 5-6) at ComplexCon. As part of the 1800 Tequila exhibit, the brand teamed up with Complex to create the 1800 Tequila Art Zone in the first ever ComplexCon. Over the two-day festival, music, art and design were celebrated at the Long Beach Convention Center. Over 11 exhibitors were commissioned to show their collections within the Art Zone including: Dabs Nyla, James Jean, Montana Colors, Paper Work NYC, Patrick Martinez, Pow!Wow! Hawaii, Ron English/Popaganda, Seventh Letter, Thnk Space and more. Check out our quick convo with this amazing convo with world renown painter Ricardo Gonzalez below!:
Talk about what you have going on here at ComplexCon…
“I have teamed up with 1800’s Art Zone at ComplexCon to celebrate their shared commitment to culture and helping to shape the modern and contemporary art landscape.”
What are you painting here?
“I am painting live art murals in the Art Zone at ComplexCon with the goal of blurring the boundaries between traditional and digital art. 1800 Tequila and I share the core values of passion, hard work and honesty, which drive this work. The result is elegant, yet raw and genuine – in other words, just refined enough.”
How does it feel to be commissioned for this project with the great legacy of 1800 collabs with artists like Basquiat, Baseman and others?
“1800 celebrates and works with artists who have refined their premium craft while retaining their personal edge and staying true to their roots – much like the tequila itself. I’m honored to join the likes of past 1800 collaborators like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gary Baseman, Keith Haring, and Enoc Perez.”
Can you talk about The Essential Artist Series?
“My collaboration with 1800 Tequila at ComplexCon is the next page in 1800 Tequila’s history of ongoing support for artists. The Essential Artist Series, now in its breaks conformity by using their iconic bottle as a non-traditional canvas for the art of both established and up and coming artists. Few brands have shown dedication to programs like Essential Artists for over a decade.
In the year 1800, 1800 tequila was born using the world’s first 100% agave. Centuries later and the storied tequila has never wavered from its original formula and distillation process despite its growth, success, and flashy category trends that have come and gone. It has been, and always will be, made the right way– the hard way, which is a value that I [Ricardo Gonzalez] share and apply to my own craft and life. Even as our processes becomes more premium and refined, we take pride in our edge, originality and authenticity.”
