Jason John Adams, or JJ Adams, is a graphic designer and pop artist. He was born on March 15, 1978, in Plymouth, England.
He is the firstborn of three children of his parents. Jason is married and with five children. He currently lives in South London.
Earlier Life
Adams and his parents moved to Cape Town, South Africa, at the age of six. He transferred to several schools in Bloemfontein and Cape Town before going to a boarding school. John struggled in school as he was under a lot of pressure to perform. He was even expelled from the school.
Adams finally joined Bergvliet High School, where he graduated with an equivalent of GCSE, allowing him to join an art college. He joined Cape College to study graphic design. Unlike in other schools, Adams excelled at Cape College, studying computer design and screen printing.
His interest in artistry did not end at school. He joined a concert crew after Apartheid, working with other crew members touring Cape Town. At the time, he worked with Michael Jackson, ZZ Top, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, and Inxs.
Launching a Career
Jason chose an art-related career. While still in Cape Town, he worked in a Wildlife Tattoos parlour. According to the artist, working at this parlour influenced his interests. Other art-related jobs Jason did include being a guitar player for a band during his teenage years and drawing graffiti.
He also loved music and skateboarding. Jason even painted a wall of a building in Cape Town, which led to his arrest. His work today features street art, graffiti, music, and tattoos.
Jason’s family returned to England in 1988, where he joined another art college. Unfortunately, he was expelled for refusing to sit for an Afrikaans language exam and for expressing his rage by smashing a window with an electric guitar.
JJ Adams moved to London to work in a tattoo shop. At the time, Adams felt being an artist was no longer his calling after meeting Lal Hardy. Meeting London’s tattoo godfather scared Adam. Coincidentally, Hardy would live to collect Jason’s work.
Adam returned to Plymouth at 24 to enrol at Plymouth College of Art and Design. He studied commercial printing. This was followed by working at a commercial printing company where he designed magazine layouts and revealed screens and plates for the lithographic production presses.
Jason used his spare time to launch his graphic and commercial sign design business. He sold his first acrylic paintings in a local gallery in 2009. At that point, Jason knew it was time to return to London to launch his art career.
JJ Adams’ Work
Adams mixes new and old formulas to create his art. He uses spray paint, screen printing, digital matte painting, acrylics, photography, and collage.
His work combines different elements, including iconic celebrities, tattoos, street art, and graffiti. He hides different things in his work. So, if you are looking for art with more meaning than meets the eye, Adams’ work will blow your mind.
Several chic galleries in the UK, Canada, and the U.S. show Adams’ work. The artist has even worked with big brands, including Bang & Olufsen and Rolls-Royce. Magazines such as GQ and Vogue have also featured the artist.
You can own Adams’ work by buying a piece at My Perfect Art. The site has over 16 unique pieces by JJ Adams that will transform your wall into something electrifying.