Collectors: Meet Jesse “Punch” Edwards, The Hip-Hop Innovator Turned Art Aficionado

By wazup on November 1, 2023 Comments Closed / 94 views

“I like things that make me happy, so I tend to lean toward things of that nature.”

Please provide us with a brief introduction about your background, creative upbringing, and what led you into the world of art collecting.

Well, first and foremost, my name is Jesse Edwards, but everyone knows me as Punch or Panchito, but mainly Punch. I actually never even heard the term “creative,” from what I remember until I was an adult. My first glimpse into the world of creativity started when I was around 7. I went to a Montessori school, which, as we know, has an unconventional educational style. I would completely skip math and gravitate toward the book section. I found the “King Arthur and The Knights Of Justice” book and really fell in love with the illustration style. That was my first glimpse into the world of creativity, in short.

What led me to start collecting art was when I saw a painting of what seemingly was a pimp by an artist named Berkley Hendricks once. I said to myself I was going to buy it until I realized it was a million dollars and I couldn’t afford it. I guess I’ve been chasing after that high ever since.

What type of artwork do you gravitate towards, and why that particular genre?

I really like pop African-American art with a bit of humor, preferably. I like things that make me happy, so I tend to lean toward things of that nature. Either that or morbidly depressing and violent art. I want to dedicate an entire room to that style once I get more works like that.

What was the first item that you acquired that kickstarted your collection, and why did you choose that piece?

The first item I purchased was a commissioned piece given to me by an ex-girlfriend. It was a painting of these teenage Blood kids hanging in a parking lot. The significance to it, though, was that I remember looking at that picture online when the internet first kicked off. I would just stare at it and say, “that’s who I want to be.” That was 27 years ago.