Antonio Mcilwaine is a contemporary, American visual artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Known by "Arm of Casso," Mcilwaine creates artworks using his signature style of Sharpism which incorporates intricate line work and vibrant colors. He sits down with PAR-Projects' Gabi Roach to discuss his growth and inspiration.
Visually influenced by media like graffiti and drawing inspiration from his own life experiences, Antonio Mcilwaine's maximalist works explore personal themes like love, grief, happiness and truth. He has had exhibitions at the high Museum of Art and Art Basel, Miami. Retail products featuring his artwork can be found at Home Goods, Target and Wayfair. We're excited to dig a little deeper into what helps push his artistry forward.
GR: What is your first memory of being an artist?
AM: It was early one, maybe kindergarten or sometime in elementary school. I remember failing a test {in art class}. I went back home and practiced drawing from comic books. This really gave me an understanding of drawing which helped me do better at school…I felt like I was an artist at that time.
GR: Looking back, what are some major steppingstones in your career or what have been important relationships that have impacted your practice?
AM: He [Mr. Brown] gave me my first sketchbook and he would even erase in it. He [also] got me into the school of Creative and Performing Arts. I wouldn’t have known about anything art related if it wasn’t for him.
He’s my teacher and is much older than me. but in ways, we are the same age because we share a passion for art.”
GR: Why do you make art? What does it do for you?
AM: Before I started making art, I was drawn to it aesthetically. But after I started making art, it turned into therapy for me. Even in school, I wasn’t really good at basketball or football so I would always draw… It helped me block out a lot the mental noise.
Whatever I might be struggling with at the time, I don’t think about it at all when I’m creating.
GR: Describe your art and your making process.
AM: I use a lot of sharpie and acrylic. My art is deeply based on my internal states and thoughts. It can [also]be based upon how I’m feeling, a song I’ve listened to recently, current events, anything.
GR: Having developed a strong drawing foundation in childhood, Mcilwaine relies on this skillset for flushing out ideas before moving onto larger pieces. He has also experienced a significant evolution in his practice over the years, especially in his use of line-work. "Sharpism" — the name he coined for his artistic style — emphasizes and elevates line, line weight and fluidity in the use of this element within his work.”
AM: In 2017, around [the time of] Art Basel, the lines were skinny and thin. But it took a long time to create pieces this way. After the show in Miami, I did a project in Atlanta — an interior mural for a restaurant and I did the thinner lines — but they didn’t like it. The owner suggested thicker lines… I was thinking all kind of stuff like ‘this guy’s no artist’ but I tried it and it really worked. That’s when things shifted, and more people actually gravitated toward the work with the thicker lines. Before, the reactions toward the pieces weren’t like that.
GR: How does your art address today's America?
AM: In 2020, I created many pieces about things that were happening in America – the protests that were going on. I drowned in that work though. I had to learn to keep a balance because it makes an impact on you mentally. You have to relive things in order to create work but you can’t let it take over your mind. I had to pull back. It’s important to know and to be aware but it does make an impact on how you see the world. Now my work is about bringing hope to the world. But I still try to shine a light on things I think are important.
GR: You have done projects for Target, Wayfair, and HomeGoods, what words of wisdom do you have for artists seeking commercial success?
AM: Don’t chase the current – avoid that and try to find your own voice. And be very confident because people can feel that in the work.
[Network, network, network] Put yourself out there!”