Behind Calvyn Justus creative journey
As a highly accomplished digital artist, Calvyn Justus has showcased his remarkable works in some of the world’s most prestigious galleries, from Los Angeles to Tokyo. His art, known for its distinct style and innovation, has not only captivated audiences, globally but has also been featured in prominent publications, further cementing his reputation in the industry.
But Calvyn Justus’s achievements extend far beyond the art world. He is also a former Olympic athlete and an international model who has worked with top-tier brands across the globe. Born and raised in South Africa, Calvyn now is based in Los Angeles, where he continues to push the boundaries of creativity while drawing from his diverse background and experiences. Today, we will dive into his journey and explore the passions that drive him.
Welcoming our dearest featured artist for this interview, we are at a loss for words when it comes to peering inside the mind of Calvyn Justus. Originating from South Africa, we find ourselves in the delectable digital artistry that comprises the body of work from Justus. Let’s start with a simple question: tell us about your artistic upbringing.
Growing up in South Africa and the high-school I went to, we were fortunate enough to be able to choose our own mediums for art class, this was where I was first introduced to digital art, choosing graphic design and photo manipulation as my focus during my time at high school, having that freedom allowed me time to explore, experiment and start teaching myself all these different programs like photoshop, illustrator ect… by the time I matriculated (graduated) from high school I left with a 100% on my grade for art history and my final art exhibition.
After high school, I worked for a small graphic design company for a few months, at which point I was also already a professional swimmer (from 17 I was on the national team) representing South Africa around the world, eventually swimming took over all my time and I put a pause on my digital artistry whilst I pursued my Olympic dream.
Impressively, you are also an Olympic athlete and international model. What can you tell us about these aspects of your life that intertwine with your colorful inner world?
From 9 years old I was competing competitively as a swimmer, joining my first national senior team at 17 years old and my first Olympics at 20. During my time competing I got to travel a lot and work with a lot of brands as a model or ambassador, this slowly started to grow more and when I eventually moved to Los Angeles at 23 after the Olympics, I was working a lot more as a model with some high fashion and beauty brands.
This is where I started getting my introduction to the fashion world, also eventually working a lot behind the camera too, producing and directing commercials and other creative projects. Fast forward to today, I use my unique life experience to form a new perspective, my sporting life influences and inspires a lot of my creative work and the creative work gives my space from the sporting world so that when it’s time to train/perform my mind isn’t overwhelmed and I can enjoy the balance of both.
Could you describe your overall aesthetic and what messages you weave into your work?
I try bring the energy of what it means to have dreams and goals, to achieve and be the best version of yourself into my work. With my clothing designs, when you put my designs on, I want you to feel something, like how it may feel to put on a team tracksuit or country blazer, wearing my designs should make you feel like the best version of yourself and remind you that too, to chase goals and dream big. My designs are also inspired by my sporting life and wanting to bridge the athletic world more with the high fashion world, as well as merging the digital and physical world more too.
What are your some of the criteria or standards you utilize to ascertain how a piece of work is complete or not?
I conceptualize and design pieces months in advance, then spend a lot of time reflecting, editing and thinking about the piece – making sure it makes sense, adds something unique or different to the world of fashion too, I think with as saturated as we are with brands, it only makes sense to contribute new ideas or variations of existing things. Story is also a big aspect to my work, I like to design with intention and every aspect has a an informed reason or reference. I love building worlds and stories for my work to live in which is also building a bigger, cohesive world that is JUSTUS.
What are your thoughts on an ever evolving future in regard to technological advancements? How will this affect the way you tailor your creations?
I’m of the mind that you should adapt and flow with the world, whilst staying true to your core beliefs/messaging – but using the new and ever evolving tools and software to help aid your design and enhance it. Ultimately human creativity is still the most powerful tool and building workflows and use cases around it to take it to another level just means better work in my view.
I utilize 3D and AI a lot in my design process and it’s given me a lot of opportunities to learn where in the past I would have had to follow traditional schooling to get to where I am now but with todays options available I can teach and keep learning in my own time.
Clothing design is prescribed to a typical human physique. Some might think truly innovative design is limited due to the structure in which it must be designed onto. How do you create something thrilling and beyond the norm when it comes to working with the structure of clothing? Especially since you are working digitally?
I believe with my unique background and having learnt through digital platforms, I see the process of design in a different way, sometimes my lack of experience works out to be a new perspective and not following traditional rules means I’m not trying to work within any boundaries, I explore whatever comes to mind with the intention that somehow everything is possible.
What has been your proudest accomplishment yet?
Becoming an Olympian was my first real “goal- ticked off” feeling, but there’s been a lot of small wins and ofcoarse losses along the way and since. I’m sure there will be many more to come too, these days I’m less concerned with achievement and more with fulfillment and sustenance, I really want to build something that stands on its own with Justus, something that lasts, grows, and becomes its own thing, a sustained creative medium, if I can do that and it can provide a living for me, that’s what would make me happiest, everything else would just be a bonus.
Where do you envision yourself in 10 years time?
10 years from now is a far thought, well just 4 years from now could be a completely different life haha. I really take life at most a few weeks ahead of time. I don’t like to waste too much of the present time dreaming of the future but I for sure set goals, I have some close to my chest but of course the main goal is to be doing JUSTUS (my brand) full time and have it be growing and becoming what I believe it can.
I would love to be creative and active everyday from now until that 10 year mark though that’s for sure. I really love making stuff and if people were to support me, and for that long, well that sounds like an incredible blessing and I’d be really happy.
Calvyn Justus website: https://www.calvynjustus.xyz/
Calvyn Justus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calvynjustus/
