Miami New Times' Mastermind Awards honors the city's most inspiring creatives. This year, we received more than 150 submissions, which our staff narrowed to an elite group of 30. We'll be profiling our honorable mentions, and eventually the finalists, in the weeks to come. This year's three Mastermind Award winners will be announced March 8 at Artopia, our annual soiree celebrating Miami culture. For tickets and more information, visit the website.
Luis Pinto
He hails from Lima, Peru, but for the past 25 years, Pinto has known Miami as his home. Dabbling in everything from graffiti, to graphic design, to illustrations and music, Pinto (or "The Bean," which is the nickname we lovingly gave him just now) writes on his blog that his art "provides insights into his South American background, societal human development and obsession with pop culture references."
The Bean grew up in an urban environment surrounded with graffiti culture. He immersed himself in the Miami graffiti scene for almost 20 years. In doing so, he gradually developed a creative style.
Have you been to Vagabond or Grand Central lately? Pinto is the man behind much of the work used by the local party venues. Those graphic designs have also been seen at Wall, Rokbar, Cafeina and the D.A.D.E. brand.
The nightlife connection makes sense, because this well-rounded Bean has been a Miami DJ since 2007, spinning sounds at Miami parties like Poplife, Chocolate Sundays, and Shake (admit it, they all sound like desserts). Even better, Pinto's nailed gigs opening for M.I.A, Crookers, and Otto Von Schriach.
"My work depicts emotion through an apathetic eye," he said. "Ethereal moments, accepted within philosophies, native histories, and societal cultures provide the foundation for the artworks."
This piece kind of looks like Luke Steele from Empire of the Sun, right?
The Bean said, "Everything used is intended to reinforce already established connections in the mind of the viewer and left open to interpretation."
Yes, we're gonna go with the already established connection that she looks like a female Luke Steele.
Honorable Mentions:
John Adkins
Bannavis Andrew Sribyata
Sarah Kontoff Baker
Jason Snyder
Valeria Yamamoto
Jayme Gershen
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