Alec Monopoly

Alec Andon,[1] professionally known as Alec Monopoly, is a street artist originally from New York City. His signature is covering his face with his hand or using a medical face mask to hide his facial identity. His claim to fame is the use of the Parker Brothers Monopoly character "Mr. Monopoly" from the Hasbro brand board game. The artist has also worked in the urban environments of Miami, Los Angeles, Europe, Mexico and throughout Asia using varied materials (including stencils, spray paint, epoxies, varnishes and newspapers) to depict various iconic pop culture characters. He also is a brand ambassador with Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and created a mural live, on red carpet for the 2013 film, Justin Bieber's Believe. Monopoly's work has been purchased by Philipp Plein, Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Snoop Dogg, Seth Rogen, Adrien Brody and Iggy Azalea.[2]

Alec Monopoly in David Grutman's Planta South Beach vegan restaurant in Miami Beach in March 2018.

Life and work

Monopoly grew up in New York and moved to Los Angeles in 2006. He found working there was easier because of the many billboards in the city, and because of New York City's more discerning art world.[3]

Monopoly is best known for his tuxedoed and top-hatted graffiti character of Monopoly Man,[4] an idea originally inspired by the stockbroker Bernie Madoff.[3] According to John Wellington Ennis writing for the Huffington Post, "In an era of billion dollar bailouts for banks that already own the country and moguls decrying regulation as un-American, the re-contextualization of the childhood symbol of success and wealth almost needed no explanation."[4] Monopoly also pastes up images of Jack Nicholson.[5]

In November 2010 he had his first solo gallery show in New York.[6] In December 2010, he took part in an exhibition at the Mondrian Hotel as part of Art Basel Miami Beach.[6] In 2013, he hosted a yacht party at Art Basel Miami Beach, sponsored by Samsung.[7] In 2021, Monopoly collaborated with the media company Barstool Sports to sell exclusive merchandise in an effort to raise money for the Barstool Fund which is raising money for small businesses as a part of a COVID-19 relief effort.

Filmography
  • Pay 2 Play: Democracy's High Stakes, 2014 documentary film

References
  1. "Don't Pass Go: Unpacking the Feud Between Mike Mozart and Alec Monopoly". Bowery Boogie. 10 December 2015. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  2. Tucker, Matthew (23 January 2014). "Alec Monopoly Interview: American Street Artist Takes On 'Extreme Capitalism'". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  3. Carbone, Bradley (6 December 2010). "Art Interview: Alec Monopoly Talks Evading Arrest, Aloe Blacc, and the Mr. Brainwash Hoax". Complex Media. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  4. Ennis, John (25 May 2011). "The Blog: Who Is Alec Monopoly?". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  5. Perez, Pablo (25 April 2010). "Monopoly Man: Interview with Street Artist Alec". The Dirt Floor. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  6. Fetch, Brock (16 Nov 2010). "Feature: Interview with Alec Monopoly". Juxtapoz: The Art & Culture Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  7. Trinh, Jean (16 November 2010). "Street Artist Alec Monopoly Is Painting The Mural For Justin Bieber's Movie Premiere". LAist. Archived from the original on 20 May 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
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