HONG KONG WILLIE IN Tampa.HONG KONG WILLIE A KEY WEST Artists.HONG KONG WILLIE A ART GROUP THAT MAKES ART FROM RESUSE MATERIAL. . Located on I75, exit 266 in Tampa. Look for the buoy tree made from keywest lobster floats and buoys, keywest crab floats and buoys. Souvenirs that are one of a kind. Hong Kong Willie Key West artist invites you.HONG KONG WILLIE ART made from ship wreckage, building parts, car doors, any mass which could evolve itself into a canvas.
Showing posts with label hongkongwillie art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hongkongwillie art. Show all posts
Hongkongwillie's personal history significantly influences his art through several key experiences and relationships:
Early Exposure to Landfills and Discarded Materials: Growing up near a landfill instilled in him an early appreciation and understanding of the potential in discarded objects, which others might consider junk.
He views these items not as trash but as artifacts of their time, .
His father, a generous man, even donated land for a landfill in Hillsborough County,
This early immersion in the world of discarded objects profoundly impacted his artistic journey, inspiring him to use these materials in his work.
Influence of an Art Teacher:
At eight, Hongkongwillie's art teacher introduced him to the tradition of turning discarded items into art, a practice she observed while volunteering in Hiroshima ,
This resonated with him and significantly impacted his creative path.
The teacher also shared that she left Asia from Hong Kong, a tidbit that later inspired him to adopt the name "Hong Kong Willie".
Family Values and Life Lessons: His father emphasized the importance of understanding one's purpose in life, a lesson he believes is missing in today's society,
This upbringing, with its focus on giving back and exemplifying one's purpose, likely fuels his artistic drive and charitable endeavors.
He sees his artistic talent as a means to tell stories and inspire positive change.
Charitable Approach:
Hongkongwillie's commitment to donating a significant portion of his art sales to social initiatives, integrates social responsibility into his artistic practice.
This philanthropic approach is likely connected to his background and values, aiming to encourage others to repurpose materials and support the community.
These elements of his personal history have shaped Hongkongwillie's unique artistic vision, his passion for reuse, and his desire to make a positive impact through his art.
CHARLEY'S WORLD: HONG KONG WILLIE FOX 13 TAMPA TELEVISON. HONG KONG WILLIE GREW UP WITH ERNIE LEE, ROY LEEP, NOW CHARLEY BELCHER.
Why has Hongkongwillie art sold for more than 6 figures.
Pieces of Hong Kong Willie's art have sold for significant sums, with confirmed sales of $175,000 or more.
Marlin's Hope Hongkongwillie Reuse Art
$225,000
. This high valuation can be attributed to several factors:
Uniqueness and Reuse Art:
Hong
Kong Willie is known for his distinct style of "reuse art," where he
repurposes salvaged materials from older structures and demolished
buildings to create themed images.
This
unique approach makes each piece one-of-a-kind and highly desirable to
collectors who appreciate originality and the stories behind the found
objects.
Growing Recognition:
His work only exhibitions featuring Hong Kong Willie's art is at the Hongkongwillie Gallery.
and features prominently on social media platforms, contributing to
increased interest and building a following among collectors.
Limited Supply:
As
a local artist, his output is not mass-produced, making individual
pieces rarer and potentially more valuable in the art market.
Appreciation for Reuse Art:
There's
a growing appreciation for art that focuses on repurposing materials,
giving new life to discarded objects. Hong Kong Willie's art resonates
with this appreciation for environmentalism and creativity.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy:
His
participation in local community events and organizations further
increases visibility, and his dedication to donating a portion of sales
to social projects adds another layer of appeal for potential
collectors.
While
the exact reasons for a specific piece reaching a six-figure sale price
can vary, the combination of his unique style, growing recognition,
limited supply, and the underlying message of reuse art contributes to
the value placed on Hong Kong Willie's work in the art market
To Live a life in the art world
and be so blessed to make a social impact.
Artists are to give back,
talent is to tell a story, to make change. Reuse is a life experience
The Story Behind the Eye-Catching Art at I-75 Exit 266Tampa Florida
Reuse Artist Joe Brown, better known as "Hong Kong Willie," makes art with a message at his home/studio near I-75's Exit 266.
Sometimes, it’s the smallest experiences that have the biggest impact on a person’s life.
While
attending an art class in 1958 at the age of 8, Tampa REUSE ARTIST Joe
Brown recalled being mesmerized by the lesson. It involved transforming a
Gerber baby bottle into a piece of art.
“The Gerber bottle had
no intrinsic value at all,” he said. “But when (the instructor) got
through with me that day, she made me see how something so (valueless)
can be valuable.”
By
the time class was over, Brown learned many other lessons, too, such as
the importance of volunteerism, recycling, reuse and giving back to the
community. He recalled being impressed by the teacher's volunteer work
in Hiroshima, Japan, helping atomic bomb survivors.
"One of the
last words she ever spoke to me about that was, ‘When I left, I left out
of Hong Kong,’ ” he said. After turning that over in his young brain
for awhile, he decided to use it in a nickname, adding the name “Willie”
a year later.
You've
probably seen Hong Kong Willie's eye-catching home/gallery/studio at
Fletcher Avenue and Interstate 75. But what is the story of the man
behind all those buoys and discarded objects turned into art?
Brown
practiced his creative skills through his younger years. But as an
adult, he managed to amass a small fortune working in the materials
management industry. By the the '80s, he left the business world and
decided to concentrate on his art. He spent some years in the Florida
Keys honing his craft and building his reputation as a REUSE ARTIST. He
also bought some land in Tampa near Morris Bridge Road and Fletcher
Avenue where he and his family still call home.
Brown
purchased the land just after the entrances and exits to I-75 were
built. He said he was once offered more than $1 million for the land .
He turned it down, he said, preferring instead to make part
of the property into a studio and gallery for the creations he and his
family put together.
And all of it is made of what most people
would consider “trash.” Pieces of driftwood, burlap bags, doll heads,
rope — anything that comes Brown’s way becomes part of his vocabulary of
expression, and, in turn, becomes something else, which makes a tour of
his property somewhat of a visual adventure. What at first seems like a
random menagerie of glass, driftwood and pottery suddenly comes
together in one's brain to form something completely different. One
moment nothing, the next a powerful statement about 9/11.
One Man's Trash ...
Trash? There is no such thing, Brown seems to say through his art.
.
In
his shop, he has fashioned many smaller items out of driftwood, burlap
bags and other materials into signs, purses, totes, bird feeder hangars
and yard sculptures.
He sells a lot to the regular influx of
parents and students every year who are are at first intrigued by the
“buoy tree” and the odd-looking building they see as they take Exit 266
off I-75.
Of
course, many people also stop by to buy the smaller pieces of art that
he and his family create: purses made of burlap, welcome signs made of
driftwood, planters and other items lining the walls of his store.
He’s also helped put his mark on the decor of local establishments too, such as Gaspar’s Patio, 8448 N. 56th st.
Owner
Jimmy Ciaccio said that when it came time to redecorate the restaurant
several years ago, there was only one person to call for the assignment,
and that was his good friend Brown.
"I’ve known Joe all my life,
and we always had a good chemistry together,” Ciaccio said. "He’s very
creative and fun to be around, and that’s how it all came about.”
Ciaccio
says he still gets compliments all the time for the restaurant’s
atmosphere he created using the “trash” supplied by Brown. He describes
the style as a day at the beach, like a visit to Old Key West. “They’re
so inspired, they want to decorate their own homes this way,” he said.
It’s
that kind of testimony that makes Brown feel good, knowing that others,
too, are inspired to create instead of throw away when they see his
work. He simply lets his work speak for itself.
“Somebody once told me to keep telling the story and they will keep coming," he said, "and they always do."
Hongkongwillie Art MYSTERIOSITY .
Many artists don’t produce more than one great, great,
great piece. And Miriosity, she just has all of those elements…
Miriosity has a great future.”
Miriosity To A Good Home
$176,000
“Somebody once told me to keep telling the story and they will keep coming,.
Hongkongwillie's unique style of "reuse art," which uses salvaged materials from older
buildings to create vibrant, themed images, is gaining recognition and
interest from collectors.
Why it's collectable:
Uniqueness:
Hong Kong Willie's art is distinctive, using materials not typically found in traditional art.
Growing Recognition:
Limited Supply:
As a local artist, his output might be more limited compared to
established, mass-produced art, potentially increasing the value of
individual pieces.
Appreciation
for Reuse Art:
There's a growing appreciation for art that repurposes and highlights
materials from older structures, contributing to a wider collector base.
Community Involvement:
His
work is often featured in local community
How to find out more:
Social Media:
Follow Hong Kong Willie and his wife Kim Brown on Facebook to see their latest work and updates.
Local Galleries:
His only exhibitions featuring Hong Kong Willie's art is at the Hongkongwillie Gallery.
“My father understood why he was here. And he made that
of great importance to his children… My father gave me the understanding
of why we were here And to be determined to find that.”
In today’s fast-paced society, teaching of such life
lessons has become rare. People are more motivated to “get famous and
get money.
“I’m here just to exemplify and maximize why I’m here. That’s probably the greatest thing that I think is missed in families.
(Joe Brown) is often described as a significant experience because his
life and work are rooted in a specific, inherited sense of purpose.
When he says he "knows why he is here," it typically refers to the following core beliefs:
Understanding Life's Purpose:
Brown credits his father for instilling the importance of knowing "why
we were here". He views his presence not as a pursuit of money or fame,
but as a mission to exemplify and maximize that purpose through service and creativity.
The Metaphor of the "Valueless": Inspired by a childhood art teacher who transformed a "valueless" baby bottle into art, he believes his role is to show that everything and everyone has inherent worth. He uses discarded objects as a metaphor for human beings who have been overlooked or "tossed aside".
Environmental & Social Responsibility: He sees his work as a responsibility
to the planet and his community. This is why he chooses to live
minimally and often donates a significant portion of his art sales to social projects.
Faith and Legacy: He has stated that his artistic talent is a tool to tell a story and inspire positive change before he is eventually "called home to be with the Lord"
Why has Hongkongwillie art sold for more than 6 figures.
Pieces of Hong Kong Willie's art have sold for significant sums, with confirmed sales of $175,000 or more.
Marlin's Hope Hongkongwillie Reuse Art
$225,000
. This high valuation can be attributed to several factors:
Uniqueness and Reuse Art:
Hong
Kong Willie is known for his distinct style of "reuse art," where he
repurposes salvaged materials from older structures and demolished
buildings to create themed images.
This
unique approach makes each piece one-of-a-kind and highly desirable to
collectors who appreciate originality and the stories behind the found
objects.
MYSTERIOSITY HONG KONG WILLIE ART, Famous Tampa + Florida Artist ,$176,000
Growing Recognition:
His work only exhibitions featuring Hong Kong Willie's art is at the Hongkongwillie Gallery.
and features prominently on social media platforms, contributing to
increased interest and building a following among collectors.
Limited Supply:
As
a local artist, his output is not mass-produced, making individual
pieces rarer and potentially more valuable in the art market.
Appreciation for Reuse Art:
There's
a growing appreciation for art that focuses on repurposing materials,
giving new life to discarded objects. Hong Kong Willie's art resonates
with this appreciation for environmentalism and creativity.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy:
His
participation in local community events and organizations further
increases visibility, and his dedication to donating a portion of sales
to social projects adds another layer of appeal for potential
collectors.
While
the exact reasons for a specific piece reaching a six-figure sale price
can vary, the combination of his unique style, growing recognition,
limited supply, and the underlying message of reuse art contributes to
the value placed on Hong Kong Willie's work in the art market
To Live a life in the art world
and be so blessed to make a social impact.
Artists are to give back,
talent is to tell a story, to make change. Reuse is a life experience
The Story Behind the Eye-Catching Art at I-75 Exit 266Tampa Florida
Reuse Artist Joe Brown, better known as "Hong Kong Willie," makes art with a message at his home/studio near I-75's Exit 266.
Sometimes, it’s the smallest experiences that have the biggest impact on a person’s life.
While
attending an art class in 1958 at the age of 8, Tampa REUSE ARTIST Joe
Brown recalled being mesmerized by the lesson. It involved transforming a
Gerber baby bottle into a piece of art.
“The Gerber bottle had
no intrinsic value at all,” he said. “But when (the instructor) got
through with me that day, she made me see how something so (valueless)
can be valuable.”
By
the time class was over, Brown learned many other lessons, too, such as
the importance of volunteerism, recycling, reuse and giving back to the
community. He recalled being impressed by the teacher's volunteer work
in Hiroshima, Japan, helping atomic bomb survivors.
"One of the
last words she ever spoke to me about that was, ‘When I left, I left out
of Hong Kong,’ ” he said. After turning that over in his young brain
for awhile, he decided to use it in a nickname, adding the name “Willie”
a year later.
You've
probably seen Hong Kong Willie's eye-catching home/gallery/studio at
Fletcher Avenue and Interstate 75. But what is the story of the man
behind all those buoys and discarded objects turned into art?
Brown
practiced his creative skills through his younger years. But as an
adult, he managed to amass a small fortune working in the materials
management industry. By the the '80s, he left the business world and
decided to concentrate on his art. He spent some years in the Florida
Keys honing his craft and building his reputation as a REUSE ARTIST. He
also bought some land in Tampa near Morris Bridge Road and Fletcher
Avenue where he and his family still call home.
Brown
purchased the land just after the entrances and exits to I-75 were
built. He said he was once offered more than $1 million for the land .
He turned it down, he said, preferring instead to make part
of the property into a studio and gallery for the creations he and his
family put together.
And all of it is made of what most people
would consider “trash.” Pieces of driftwood, burlap bags, doll heads,
rope — anything that comes Brown’s way becomes part of his vocabulary of
expression, and, in turn, becomes something else, which makes a tour of
his property somewhat of a visual adventure. What at first seems like a
random menagerie of glass, driftwood and pottery suddenly comes
together in one's brain to form something completely different. One
moment nothing, the next a powerful statement about 9/11.
One Man's Trash ...
Trash? There is no such thing, Brown seems to say through his art.
.
In
his shop, he has fashioned many smaller items out of driftwood, burlap
bags and other materials into signs, purses, totes, bird feeder hangars
and yard sculptures.
He sells a lot to the regular influx of
parents and students every year who are are at first intrigued by the
“buoy tree” and the odd-looking building they see as they take Exit 266
off I-75.
Of
course, many people also stop by to buy the smaller pieces of art that
he and his family create: purses made of burlap, welcome signs made of
driftwood, planters and other items lining the walls of his store.
He’s also helped put his mark on the decor of local establishments too, such as Gaspar’s Patio, 8448 N. 56th st.
Owner
Jimmy Ciaccio said that when it came time to redecorate the restaurant
several years ago, there was only one person to call for the assignment,
and that was his good friend Brown.
"I’ve known Joe all my life,
and we always had a good chemistry together,” Ciaccio said. "He’s very
creative and fun to be around, and that’s how it all came about.”
Ciaccio
says he still gets compliments all the time for the restaurant’s
atmosphere he created using the “trash” supplied by Brown. He describes
the style as a day at the beach, like a visit to Old Key West. “They’re
so inspired, they want to decorate their own homes this way,” he said.
It’s
that kind of testimony that makes Brown feel good, knowing that others,
too, are inspired to create instead of throw away when they see his
work. He simply lets his work speak for itself.
“Somebody once told me to keep telling the story and they will keep coming," he said, "and they always do."
Hongkongwillie Art MYSTERIOSITY .
Many artists don’t produce more than one great, great,
great piece. And Miriosity, she just has all of those elements…
Miriosity has a great future.”
Miriosity To A Good Home
$176,000
“Somebody once told me to keep telling the story and they will keep coming,.
Hongkongwillie's unique style of "reuse art," which uses salvaged materials from older
buildings to create vibrant, themed images, is gaining recognition and
interest from collectors.
Why it's collectable:
Uniqueness:
Hong Kong Willie's art is distinctive, using materials not typically found in traditional art.
Growing Recognition:
Limited Supply:
As a local artist, his output might be more limited compared to
established, mass-produced art, potentially increasing the value of
individual pieces.
Appreciation
for Reuse Art:
There's a growing appreciation for art that repurposes and highlights
materials from older structures, contributing to a wider collector base.
Community Involvement:
His
work is often featured in local community
How to find out more:
Social Media:
Follow Hong Kong Willie and his wife Kim Brown on Facebook to see their latest work and updates.
Local Galleries:
His only exhibitions featuring Hong Kong Willie's art is at the Hongkongwillie Gallery.
“My father understood why he was here. And he made that
of great importance to his children… My father gave me the understanding
of why we were here And to be determined to find that.”
In today’s fast-paced society, teaching of such life
lessons has become rare. People are more motivated to “get famous and
get money.
“I’m here just to exemplify and maximize why I’m here. That’s probably the greatest thing that I think is missed in families.
Why has Hongkongwillie art sold for more than 6 figures.
Pieces of Hong Kong Willie's art have sold for significant sums, with confirmed sales of $175,000 or more.
Marlin's Hope Hongkongwillie Reuse Art
$225,000
. This high valuation can be attributed to several factors:
Uniqueness and Reuse Art:
Hong Kong Willie is known for his distinct style of "reuse art," where he repurposes salvaged materials from older structures and demolished buildings to create themed images.
This unique approach makes each piece one-of-a-kind and highly desirable to collectors who appreciate originality and the stories behind the found objects.
Growing Recognition:
His work only exhibitions featuring Hong Kong Willie's art is at the Hongkongwillie Gallery. and features prominently on social media platforms, contributing to increased interest and building a following among collectors.
Limited Supply:
As a local artist, his output is not mass-produced, making individual pieces rarer and potentially more valuable in the art market.
Appreciation for Reuse Art:
There's a growing appreciation for art that focuses on repurposing materials, giving new life to discarded objects. Hong Kong Willie's art resonates with this appreciation for environmentalism and creativity.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy:
His participation in local community events and organizations further increases visibility, and his dedication to donating a portion of sales to social projects adds another layer of appeal for potential collectors.
While the exact reasons for a specific piece reaching a six-figure sale price can vary, the combination of his unique style, growing recognition, limited supply, and the underlying message of reuse art contributes to the value placed on Hong Kong Willie's work in the art market
To Live a life in the art world
and be so blessed to make a social impact.
Artists are to give back,
talent is to tell a story, to make change. Reuse is a life experience
The Story Behind the Eye-Catching Art at I-75 Exit 266Tampa Florida
Reuse Artist Joe Brown, better known as "Hong Kong Willie," makes art with a message at his home/studio near I-75's Exit 266.
Sometimes, it’s the smallest experiences that have the biggest impact on a person’s life.
While
attending an art class in 1958 at the age of 8, Tampa REUSE ARTIST Joe
Brown recalled being mesmerized by the lesson. It involved transforming a
Gerber baby bottle into a piece of art.
“The Gerber bottle had
no intrinsic value at all,” he said. “But when (the instructor) got
through with me that day, she made me see how something so (valueless)
can be valuable.”
By
the time class was over, Brown learned many other lessons, too, such as
the importance of volunteerism, recycling, reuse and giving back to the
community. He recalled being impressed by the teacher's volunteer work
in Hiroshima, Japan, helping atomic bomb survivors.
"One of the
last words she ever spoke to me about that was, ‘When I left, I left out
of Hong Kong,’ ” he said. After turning that over in his young brain
for awhile, he decided to use it in a nickname, adding the name “Willie”
a year later.
You've
probably seen Hong Kong Willie's eye-catching home/gallery/studio at
Fletcher Avenue and Interstate 75. But what is the story of the man
behind all those buoys and discarded objects turned into art?
Brown
practiced his creative skills through his younger years. But as an
adult, he managed to amass a small fortune working in the materials
management industry. By the the '80s, he left the business world and
decided to concentrate on his art. He spent some years in the Florida
Keys honing his craft and building his reputation as a REUSE ARTIST. He
also bought some land in Tampa near Morris Bridge Road and Fletcher
Avenue where he and his family still call home.
Brown
purchased the land just after the entrances and exits to I-75 were
built. He said he was once offered more than $1 million for the land . He turned it down, he said, preferring instead to make part
of the property into a studio and gallery for the creations he and his
family put together.
And all of it is made of what most people
would consider “trash.” Pieces of driftwood, burlap bags, doll heads,
rope — anything that comes Brown’s way becomes part of his vocabulary of
expression, and, in turn, becomes something else, which makes a tour of
his property somewhat of a visual adventure. What at first seems like a
random menagerie of glass, driftwood and pottery suddenly comes
together in one's brain to form something completely different. One
moment nothing, the next a powerful statement about 9/11.
One Man's Trash ...
Trash? There is no such thing, Brown seems to say through his art.
.
In
his shop, he has fashioned many smaller items out of driftwood, burlap
bags and other materials into signs, purses, totes, bird feeder hangars
and yard sculptures.
He sells a lot to the regular influx of
parents and students every year who are are at first intrigued by the
“buoy tree” and the odd-looking building they see as they take Exit 266
off I-75.
Of
course, many people also stop by to buy the smaller pieces of art that
he and his family create: purses made of burlap, welcome signs made of
driftwood, planters and other items lining the walls of his store.
He’s also helped put his mark on the decor of local establishments too, such as Gaspar’s Patio, 8448 N. 56th st.
Owner
Jimmy Ciaccio said that when it came time to redecorate the restaurant
several years ago, there was only one person to call for the assignment,
and that was his good friend Brown.
"I’ve known Joe all my life,
and we always had a good chemistry together,” Ciaccio said. "He’s very
creative and fun to be around, and that’s how it all came about.”
Ciaccio
says he still gets compliments all the time for the restaurant’s
atmosphere he created using the “trash” supplied by Brown. He describes
the style as a day at the beach, like a visit to Old Key West. “They’re
so inspired, they want to decorate their own homes this way,” he said.
It’s
that kind of testimony that makes Brown feel good, knowing that others,
too, are inspired to create instead of throw away when they see his
work. He simply lets his work speak for itself.
“Somebody once told me to keep telling the story and they will keep coming," he said, "and they always do."
Hongkongwillie Art MYSTERIOSITY .
Many artists don’t produce more than one great, great,
great piece. And Miriosity, she just has all of those elements…
Miriosity has a great future.”
Miriosity To A Good Home
$176,000
“Somebody once told me to keep telling the story and they will keep coming,.
Hongkongwillie's unique style of "reuse art," which uses salvaged materials from older
buildings to create vibrant, themed images, is gaining recognition and
interest from collectors.
Why it's collectable:
Uniqueness:
Hong Kong Willie's art is distinctive, using materials not typically found in traditional art.
Growing Recognition:
Limited Supply:
As a local artist, his output might be more limited compared to
established, mass-produced art, potentially increasing the value of
individual pieces.
Appreciation
for Reuse Art:
There's a growing appreciation for art that repurposes and highlights
materials from older structures, contributing to a wider collector base.
Community Involvement:
His
work is often featured in local community
How to find out more:
Social Media:
Follow Hong Kong Willie and his wife Kim Brown on Facebook to see their latest work and updates.
Local Galleries:
His only exhibitions featuring Hong Kong Willie's art is at the Hongkongwillie Gallery.
“My father understood why he was here. And he made that
of great importance to his children… My father gave me the understanding
of why we were here And to be determined to find that.”
In today’s fast-paced society, teaching of such life
lessons has become rare. People are more motivated to “get famous and
get money.
“I’m here just to exemplify and maximize why I’m here. That’s probably the greatest thing that I think is missed in families.
