Good jeans
Jean jackets become art in the hands of Tony Thunder.
Tony Thunder’s work has been featured by Emerica footwear and Toy Machine skateboards and other skateboarding-associated brands. He also illustrated the children’s book “Eli the Minnow.”
He talked to The Oklahoman about creating artwork on jean jackets for the second annual “Jean Genie” show in the Paseo Plunge.
“The Jean Genie Jean Jacket Art Show is something I want to do every year in OKC, bigger and better each year,” Thunder said. “It’s still pretty small right now, but I’ve noticed a lot of people in the city are getting more and more interested in the whole idea of clothing can be art.”
Thunder said the idea came when he was a teenager (he’s now in his late 20s); he saw graffiti writers wearing jean jackets with their graffiti crew’s name, symbols and logos on them.
“They were definitely doing it in the style of motorcycle gangs, but also grabbing from the punk era,” Thunder said. “The first time I saw that, I thought it was genius, and I knew I wanted to do something like that one day.”
Thunder said he thinks jean jackets can be timeless heirlooms.
“Jean jackets will never go out of style, it’s like Chuck Taylors and a nice white T-shirt. They’re here to stay,” he said. “I personally believe a jean jacket or a leather jacket should be with you for life; to be passed down to your children. Why not make it shine and tell your story?”
Thunder also expressed gratitude to Charles Martin, of Literati Press, and the Paseo Plunge for hosting such an “unconventional” show.
“I think it breathes new life into a place younger art lovers and offbeat artists usually overlook. I’m glad to be a part of that,” Thunder said.
The Jean Genie showcase runs through Sept. 30. You can next see Thunder’s artwork on Oct. 6 at Bombs Away Gallery in the Paseo.