When people think of pop art, they usually think of Andy Warhol’s groundbreaking and famous Campbell’s Soup Cans painting or the iconic and globally recognized montage of Marilyn Monroe. The 21st-century genre gave pop art to the masses. It catered for a huge segment of society and audience whose experience and culture had been ignored for centuries by more elitist and highbrow forms of art. The art of Warhol and countless others landed in our world in the 1960s with a snap, crackle, and pop. It changed everything in its wake. Its legacy enabled other artists to pick up the tools of its trade and change the world in their image. One such artist is Sonny Henty, aka Mr. Nice, whose company ARTBYMRNICE is renowned for its unique integration of neon into pop art. Somewhat unusual for a pop-art company, ARTBYMRNICE is also distinguished by its long-term practice of creating art for foundations like Shelter to Solider.
“Art’s primary purpose is to be seen and enjoyed,” explained Mr. Nice, before elaborating, “If art is to move you, inspire you, uplift you, and engage you in that elusive and transcendental manner that all great artists strive to achieve, it needs to be accessible by as many people as possible. That has always been the ethos behind pop art and why ARTBYMRNICE also believes in creating art for charitable foundations. Not only are we doing our bit for a good cause, but we are celebrating the undefeatable and eternally enduring nature of humanity through art. It is through this art that we hope to inspire and console people when they are most in need.”
ARTBYMRNICE has created original and specific pieces for a multitude of charitable organizations including, The Tiger Woods Foundation, Shelter to Soldier, and the San Diego Humane Society. ARTBYMRNICE’s pieces are sought the world over by many, including celebrities such as Kesha, Harry Jowsey, and Deontay Wilder. Consequently, the impact they have on the charities is significant and something that Mr. Nice is particularly proud of. He explained, “To my mind, art has always been a form of philanthropy. As an artist, you are always striving to create something that will make the world a better place, and giving it to charity is just an extension of that.”