"What is Aotik?"

"Aotik" (ā·ŏ·tĭk Ay-ot-ik - n.) is moniker created originally as a graffiti alias in the young years of my art career. The "T" was the starting point; it was symmetrical and it built the frame. I worked my way out from there and I loved the way the "A" could mirror the "K". The way it kicked out and almost left it open in both directions, symbolic to my creative process; open to new ideas and influenced by the world around me. The "O" and the "I" create a yin and a yang underneath the roof of the "T" and symbolize off and on and the polar differences in human emotions. AOTIK is my name, it is the embodiment of every emotion I was ever afraid of showing, it is my brand, it is my life. Those five letter can tell you about who I really am; the person I am when I am all alone by myself with my own thoughts. It is my job to convey AOTIK to you visually and show you what and who AOTIK is through, art, photos, or film.

Art to me is a manifestation of emotion and self-expression, along with allowing vulnerability to exist and to breed strength through creativity.

Let's make something dope.

Photos courtesy of Trevor Sweeney & Matthew Berglund.