ABOUT THE TEZOS FOUNDATION
The Home to Builders, Creators and Innovators
Tezos, an energy-efficient blockchain, has gained global acclaim as the platform of choice for artists and institutions looking to mint NFTs sustainably and responsibly. The Tezos community is home to a diverse, global network of artists, collectors and builders exploring NFTs as a new medium for creative expression.
The Tezos art community has been featured at Art Basel in Miami Beach 2021, Art Basel in Hong Kong 2022, Art Basel in Basel 2022, Venice Biennale 2022, SXSW 2022, Paris+ par Art Basel and more.
The Tezos Foundation, a non-profit Swiss foundation, recently established the Tezos Foundation Permanent Art Collection, a $1.2 million fund to support emerging artists from across the globe creating on Tezos – curated by activist and commentator Misan Harriman, Chair of the Southbank Center in London.
OUR ARTISTS
Cohort 1
UZUMAKI CEPEDA
'FUR'niture (2023) is an exclusive NFT Collection inspired by Uzumaki's collection of faux fur furniture. The work centres around giving people a sense of safety and comfort through objects and space.
Collaborating with generative artist, Orr Kislev, each uniquely minted NFT will give ‘FUR’niture NFT holders a chance to win a physical ‘FUR’niture piece. Further instructions to enter the lucky draw will be found on Uzumaki’s socials.
Created by “Uzumaki” Cepeda (Bronx-born, NYC -based), she makes sculptures, paintings, installations, and photography that examine how senses of safety, comfort, and agency are negotiated through objects and space.
As a first-generation American woman of Dominican heritage, Uzumaki’s textile tableau act as safe spaces for Black and Brown people, while also addressing the stigmas of homophobia, transphobia, racism, and colorism that often people and women who feel unprotected by American public life and policies. Her practice consists of transforming everyday, often found objects with brightly-colored faux fur to create interactive installations informed by traditional iconography of domestic spaces. Uzumaki’s dream-like and vibrant work draws from her childhood imagination growing up both on the islands of the Dominican Republic and in the Bronx.
'FUR'niture NFT Collection is made possible by the Champ Medici Arts Fund, a $1 million philanthropic initiative created by Cordell Broadus in partnership with the Tezos Foundation dedicated to supporting and empowering emerging artists looking to build and create new works on the Tezos blockchain.
MALACHI WRIGHT
Amerikaz Most Wanted: Redemption (2023) is an exclusive NFT Collection which celebrates hip hop music icons through the lens of two very distinct worlds, the height of the rap game and the Wild West frontier.
Created by contemporary artist Malachi Wright who is renowned for his music inspired works, the collection examines the west coast artists who have made an enormous impact on the music industry during the Death Row Records era, the controversial music label home to some of the most successful and prolific artists of any generation including Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Dr. Dre, YG and Nipsey Hustle.
The series features four exceptional pieces entitled:
Doggfather
Ambitionz Az A Ridah
Amerikaz Most Wanted
Young Outlawz
The Amerikaz Most Wanted: Redemption NFT Collection is made possible by the Champ Medici Arts Fund, a $1 million philanthropic initiative created by Cordell Broadus in partnership with the Tezos Foundation dedicated to supporting and empowering emerging artists looking to build and create new works on the Tezos blockchain.
The Amerikaz Most Wanted: Redemption NFT Collection will be available 12 September 2023 on the Tezos ecosystem on objkt.com
CORY ANNE
ROBERTS
Cory Anne Roberts presents PINUP PACKS
A collection of digital trading cards featuring retro pinup style imagery. The 3D cards rotate to the backside where interesting facts about each model are presented in both text and audio format
LAURIE MARQUETON
Laurie Marqueton presents 1-800-GOODTIME
A vibrant, upbeat track Laurie used to express herself as the artist she aspires to be without the controls and limitations placed on her by society, culture, and being an AAPI woman in the industry.
REGGIE COUZ
Reggie Couz presents Sweet Melanin
An important part of Reggie’s creative practice is honoring the women in his community, which has led him to writing Sweet Melanin– a song that’s completely dedicated to the beauty that Black women exude. This NFT project will be centered around uplifting and celebrating Black women, and creating art around them that amplifies their beauty and culture.