“Eyes are an important feature for all of us, it’s how we see the world”
It’s all in the eyes. Discernible, distinguishable, recognizably skewed eyes.
Nikybotz’s street art will make you look twice. Meet Nick of Nickybotz, an LA native and Los Angeles based collection designer and street artist on the rise. He is known for his colorful, uniquely shaped, jovial characters, with distinct almond shaped eyes.
Upon arrival, I gifted Nick the Icons issue of UP. Excitedly, he asks, “How do I get on the cover?”
“You’re almost there,” I assured him as he flipped through the pages.
An avid learner and art lover since his youth, Nick was always known among his circle of friends, for drawing robots with funny eyes. Nikybotz eyes were an ever-evolving feature. Until it was the precise feature that made him who he is. Those eyes are what set Nikybotz apart from other characters on the streets.
At 18, Nick went to the Paris Museum of Modern Art and entered a Keith Haring exhibit, only to exit dumb-founded, and his career trajectory delicately altered.
After college, Nick applied to an advertising job. At the interview, sketches in hand, eager to discuss his forthcoming contributions, Nick was interrupted and told he was too talented for the job. He was not surprised by the comments at all, further asserting the unavoidable. Aspired to get to work, Nickybotz shot to the forefront and Nick never looked back.
No doubt, Haring made a profound impression on the budding artist. Speaking about Nikybotz inception, “I’d never seen eyes like that before.”
No doubt, Haring made a profound impression on the budding artist. Speaking about Nikybotz inception, “I’d never seen eyes like that before”.
Nick currently works side gigs employing his graphic design and advertising assets earned at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. “I advertise for myself,” asserts Nick with a chuckle. Most notably, Nick’s safe haven, home base, creative space, and magic maker/ hub, has been dubbed, “The BOT Cave.” Here, all original material is conceptualized in his sketchbook, captioned, prepped, and readied for the making.
His most essential tool is a ladder. It enables the artist to reach desired height, and achieve optimum viewership. “They definitely last longer the higher you put them up,” Nick attests.
On a recent late-night run, Nick posted a current street project, only to discover it was removed within 24 hours. “It was such a good one, maybe a sensitive topic” (homelessness). It was intentionally placed at lower eye-level, to garner a more heartfelt response.
His most essential tool is a ladder. It enables the artist to reach desired height, and achieve optimum viewership. “They definitely last longer the higher you put them up,” Nick attests.
He laments the impermanence of the piece, “when a piece gets taken down it sucks.” Undeterred, Nick vows his return.
The conversation segued when Nick asked me if I’ve seen films Infamy, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and The Price of Everything. Musing over art documentaries, he instantly recalls the perils of canvassing for the newest drop: “Driving around town, I couldn’t put it here, or there, and you never know which ones are gonna stay up.” Nick’s hustle is genuine whilst acknowledging the significance of authenticity and being recognized on the streets.
“I love the fact that I don’t sign the pieces.” Simply, if the street art is authentic and original then it will be recognizable. Nikybotz is DEFINITELY recognizable to the masses. “I still get tagged,” he says. “In my opinion, they’re high quality pieces.” From what I’ve seen, I’m the only street artist that does work in the MDF tiles.”
Nikybotz characters are meticulously constructed with MDF (medium density fiberboard) tiles. He describes the texture, “between cardboard and particle board material”, or, kind of “a mix between cardboard and wood”, offering a degree of depth to the piece, is more forgiving than plywood (plywood splinters), and is less time consuming to install. Furthermore, Nick implements his own astute mechanics of 3″ square-cut tiles, adhesives for the surface, and the artist decides to pre-paint or paint on the spot.
A surveyor of his contemporaries, I asked Nick whom he’s taken note of. Swiftly, Nick replied, @Nickinailedit, @Crash and @Brainiac, offering a reason for each. @Nickinailedit and Nikybotz, share child-like trope commonalities, “he’s cool”. Nick is a fan of these two notable street writers; fond of @Brainiac’s work, Nick even provided me with the location of his favorite @Brainiac sighting. @Crash, another writer, is admired for their reach, and their vertical limit gusto.
“A great place for me to start, when coming up with ideas, or sketches, I think of its originality.”
Nikybotz street art philosophy: “You want to be original, authentic and you want your art to be recognizable. I’ve always wanted the eyes to be the logo of the brand.”
Nikybotz street art philosophy: “You want to be original, authentic and you want your art to be recognizable. I’ve always wanted the eyes to be the logo of the brand.”
Not one to stay idle, Nickybotz is resolved to debut three collections, replete with fan favorites, new inventory and art. Character pillows, new t-shirt designs, installations, new street art, and extras!
Three collections to be presented are: “No Target Market,” “Originals” and “More or Less,” all launching Fall 2023.
“I’ve always had a great support system of friends, they love to play music, I’ll invite friends. That’s what an art party is, right? It’ll be fun.”
“I’ve always had a great support system of friends, they love to play music, I’ll invite friends. That’s what an art party is, right? It’ll be fun.”
Indeed! I dove deep looking for this elusive artist, until I found a video of Nikybotz– wearing a ski mask. Charmingly, he expresses, “I’m not anonymous, it’s just a character I play. Nikybotz– IS my brand. When I put the mask on, I get to play that character. It’s fun.”
