domzilla: intersecting Culture and Creativity

featured artist.

DOMZILLA

Dominique Jones, known as DomZilla, is not your conventional artist. Hailing from the heart of Indianapolis, Indiana, he is on the rise as multidisciplinary artistry. His journey is shaped by a unique blend of influences—from the black women who raised him to the vibrant world of cartoons that captured his imagination.

"I come from a very small family that consisted of majority women and a few uncles sprinkled into the mix," Jones reflects on his upbringing. "I witnessed what my mother, aunties, and grandmothers went through as I grew up and learned from a perspective that goes unappreciated even until this day."

His current focus:

“[I’m working on] …a collection titled "Primary People", I explore the ideas of the original people, the people of African descent through color and shape.”

In his artistic practice, Jones merges elements from classic Western cartoons with surrealistic African figures, creating a visual language that is as captivating as it is thought-provoking. "Cartoons continue to play a huge role in shaping what I'm interested in," he shares. "From Chuck Jones to Bruce Smith, there is no bearing as to what inspires me in that world."

Jones's work delves into themes of identity and heritage, particularly in his ongoing collection entitled "Primary People." "I explore the ideas of the original people being people of African descent through color and shape," Jones explains. "I enjoy thinking about these ideas and love building onto them."

Looking ahead, Jones has his sights set on ambitious project—an animated series that explores music history, Afrofuturism, and the origins of the term. "More details on that later in the year," he teases, hinting at the excitement to come.

On approach:

“I tend to pull elements from classic western toons and apply them to more surrealistic African figures, seamlessly converging the two. ”

For Jones, the ultimate dream project involves animated paintings adorning a wall—no NFTs, just pure artistic expression. "My dream project is to have animated paintings on a wall," he shares, leaving a tantalizing glimpse into his vision for the future.

Despite his undeniable talent, Jones's journey in the arts has not been without its challenges. "I didn't find out about art communities until my late 20s," he reveals. "Essentially, I was alone on this art journey. Not a single artistic friend/colleague." Building a community and finding avenues that align with his artistic vision remain ongoing challenges for Jones.

As Domzilla continues to push the boundaries of creativity and explore the rich tapestry of culture and identity, one thing is certain—he is a visionary artist poised to make a lasting impact on the world of contemporary art.