Jon Daniel looks back on the rich existence and career of clothier Michael Thompson, who became the subject of his 4 Corners column in 2013.
It’s miles with a heavy, heavy coronary heart that I write these phrases today.
The famed Jamaican born designer, illustrator, social activist, and artist, Michael Thompson aka “Freestyle,” has surpassed away at 57 from a coronary heart attack.
Even though I never met Michael in the flesh, we genuinely related spiritually as fellow African diaspora creatives, and really through an excellent, lengthy Skype communication, we shared in the Spring of 2013 simply after I had interviewed him for my Design Week “Four Corners” column.
Using Michael Thompson
I used to be extremely excited to find out Michael’s work, which changed into so done in every manner. Excelling especially within the medium of poster Layout, he represented the roots’ tradition of his Caribbean island birthplace with an inventive flair and Layout sensibility that stands up against the work of his more celebrated Ecu counterparts.
Global Reggae Corridor of Reputation Museum
It became excellent expertise that turned into equally matched Using his ambition to understand a Global Reggae Hall of Fame Museum in Kingston Jamaica, designed Using the visionary architect, Frank Gehry.
The usage of an International reggae poster Design opposition, as an innovative car, to publicize and interact with audiences from everywhere in the world in his formidable vision, the opposition has long gone from energy to energy and is now in its 6th yr.
At that point, Michael himself designed over 500 posters representing Jamaican musical and cultural icons while highlighting the many social and humanitarian reasons that touched his coronary heart and fuelled his creative passions.
The lifeblood of his paintings will stay on.
Even though his heart may additionally have stopped beating, I haven’t any doubt that the lifeblood of his paintings will stay on via his creative compatriot, Maria; the numerous artists and designers around the world who have been stimulated With the aid of his actions; and his proficient son, Dane Thompson, who is an illustrator and fashion designer in his own right.
This sentiment is echoed By people who knew and worked with him, including Patricia Chin, co-founder of Vp Records, the world’s optimum reggae and Caribbean track label and distributor, whose lovely words I depart with you presently.
“Michael, your coronary heart changed into overflowing with love for all mankind. You could have left us; however, your spirit lives on via your lovely paintings,” she says.
