WHAT IS CONVERSE_X_?
It is a global grassroots community of youth moving culture forward. We give them incredible experiences and opportunities and act as platform to amplify their vision and tell their stories of progress. Organically, we become the most important brand in their life. We help transform their network, enable global connectivity, and change what’s possible. It’s their vision, their outlet, on our Canvas.
Across the globe, select youth (age range 18-23) have been chosen due to their style, attitude and ambition; they’re the leaders of the pack, influencers of their spheres but not of internet fame.
These individuals see the world differently. They want to create their own path and succeed. Alongside an entrepreneurial spirit, passion and drive, they are also supportive and influenced by like-minded people forging their own way over celebrity endorsements.
WHAT IS THIS PROJECT?
The purpose of the Converse_X_ community is to give the members incredible experiences and opportunities and to act as a platform to amplify their vision and tell their stories. With many of the members having a passion for art and design, we wanted to give them the unique experience of working with an experienced artist, to expand their creative skillset and to be a part of designing something tangible that will live at the Converse Melbourne Emporium store.
The mural represents Converse_X_ and what it means to the Converse X community as well as tying into the recently released Converse Renew collection as the mural will include discarded Converse shoes transformed into art.
Our artist to assist in this project is JESWRI, whose role was to impart his creative knowledge and wisdom and collaborate with the Converse X community over the two-day activation to bring to life the Converse_X_ inspired mural at the Emporium store.
DAY 1 - CREATIVE WORKSHOP W/ ‘X CREW’
THE PROCESS
The first day of the activation was spent at Jesse’s studio whereby he and the Converse_X_ team had the chance to get to know each other and begin to spark ideas for the mural design. Through creative activities lead by Jesse throughout the day, the Converse_X_ team were able to expand their creative abilities and put together ideas of what the finished mural will look like.
The following day was spent executing the mural at the Converse Emporium store collectively with the Converse_X_ crew. This was a great opportunity for the Converse_X_ team to put their new skills into practice and to create something long-lasting to live on at a Converse store. JESWRI lead the charge on the day, artistically directing how the mural was crafted, guiding and helping the Converse_X_ team along the way until the mural was completed.
DAY 2 - MURAL INSTALLATION W/ ‘X CREW’
Photography by Yeah Rad
INTERVIEW W/ GRASS FIRES
Jesse Wright, aka JESWRI, is a Melbourne-based painter, illustrator, designer and art director. He recently scored a job creating a huge multidimensional mural in collaboration with Converse_X_ (a group of young creatives engaging in various creative pursuits, co-ordinated by Converse) and Emporium Melbourne and came through with a huge cockatoo with wings made from Chuck Taylors. Since Jesse described it as a “dream Job”, we thought it might be a good time to have a chat with the hardworking, multi-disciplinary artist about how he went from working as a kids’ face-painter at Bunnings to navigating the advertising world and eventually, going out on his own as a commercial artist.
How long have you been a practicing artist?
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. My mum was a primary school art teacher, so I remember always chucking sickies so that I could go hang out in Mum's art class and have a bit of freedom. I've always had motivation to draw and to constantly get better at drawing. Mum used to push me to draw comics, political cartoons and never really limit me with art. So, there was always a motivation to draw with purpose. I spent a couple years trying different types of ‘freelance art’ whether it be an outlawed graffiti career or building up to an art director role in the advertising industry. But, I think I only started to take my art career seriously about 5 years ago, when I got fired from a dead-end job, doing kids face painting at Bunnings. I walked out, started uploading my work on Instagram and slowly but surely I started getting paid for murals, event branding and illustrations. And here we are today.
Who are your regular clients?
My regular clients are pretty diverse. I've got work coming from everywhere and I think that's what I'm really enjoying right now. I've got commercialised elements to my work so brands can see collaborative opportunities with their brand and mine. I find myself painting restaurants and bars from time to time. I do a large volume of illustration work for wrestler’s merch, whether it’s locally or internationally. I love doing work for brands that speak my language and that reflect on my brand as well.
How did you get involved with the Converse X program?
I’ve always seen Chucks as the ultimate rebel shoe. I always think of retro punk, vintage b-boys and even Will Smith when he fucked up all those zombie things in I Am Legend. When all my old graffiti friends used to wear TNs, I would look for alternative shoes and eventually found Converse, in my attempt to dress differently. For me, I feel like myself in these shoes, and I’ve worn them for ages and I'll wear them on all occasions. When I took on art full time, Converse was legitimately at the top of my list of dream clients. I got an email about a month before the project asking me to quote a job for “an anonymous retail client”. After spending a few days in the dark, I found out the client was Converse X and I lost my shit.
What was it like taking on the role of 'facilitator' alongside 'creator'?
I love being in the director’s chair. I spent years as a designer, listening to directors and selflessly moulding their ideas. So, after a while, I became an art director and I figured-out pretty quickly that it’s more rewarding being the brains of a concept. So for me, this was a nice opportunity to finally get an extra hand with a project. I'm generally super independent with my work and I rarely ask for help, so this was kinda cool to get everyone's input. I could stand back from time to time and play coach as the Cockatoo came to life. It was refreshing to get some well needed creative input from the crew too, because there wasn't a very big window for this mural to go from concept to creation. We had to move quick. Sometimes, when there's a rush you subconsciously go into autopilot and think 'Oh, I gotta get this finished'. But this was a nice change. They saw things I might not have seen and I think overall, it was a perfect amount of teamwork.
The multidimensional aspect of the mural is rad. How did the cockatoo concept come about?
In my opinion the yellow crested cockatoo is the most metal bird ever. Hands down. No question. They're headbangers, they're flamboyant, they're flying rockstars and to top it off, they're Australian. The day before the mural, I hosted a creative workshop at my studio in Melbourne and we did some cool little creative exercises to get the juices flowing. You know, traditional things like Mr Squiggle. Part of the workshop was asking what Converse meant to everyone. We threw around terms like rebel, freedom of expression and feeling unique. They tied into the overall arching theme of individuals finding each other within a community. So, for me I thought of the concept of 'birds of a feather, flock together'. The headbanger came to mind hours before the actual mural, so I drew it up when I got to location and the crew vibed hard. So we went with it.
What is your biggest takeaway from the experience?
I didn't really have time to think about how hard this project was going to be, so when we arrived and started nailing shoes—and my thumb—to the wall, I realised really quickly that it was going to be a mountain to climb. Nobody around me was talking about how hard it was going to be; everyone kept a straight face and just believed in me and believed in us. I think the thing that I took away was not only 'surround yourself with uplifting people', but to constantly push yourself and push your work.