Lowbrow artist The Pizz, 1958-2015
September 6, 2015 12:42 AM Subscribe
The influential "Lord of Lowbrow", The Pizz (born Stephen Pizzurro), passed away in Long Beach on Sunday shortly after posting a final photo to Instagram. He was 57.
The Pizz is well-known in the Kustom Kulture scene and collaborated with visual artists such as Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, as well as musicians such as JG Thirlwell .
More examples of his work can be found on his Instagram, on the Instagram tag #thepizz, and at Hi-Fructose (NSFW). Past interviews can be found at Color Ink Book and Last Gasp.
The Pizz is well-known in the Kustom Kulture scene and collaborated with visual artists such as Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, as well as musicians such as JG Thirlwell .
More examples of his work can be found on his Instagram, on the Instagram tag #thepizz, and at Hi-Fructose (NSFW). Past interviews can be found at Color Ink Book and Last Gasp.
Those Sympathy covers from the 80s n 90s were incredible. Rip pizz
posted by Potomac Avenue at 5:13 AM on September 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 5:13 AM on September 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
When I lived in Long Beach years ago, I would see The Pizz everywhere. It got to the point where he and I would exchange head nods of recognition because we were running into each other so often.
I was familiar with his work but didn't know he was The Pizz until he came into my friend's bookstore and she nudged me and said "That's The Pizz" and suddenly it made sense why I was running into him at all those art shows and juice bars.
He was extremely friendly to young artists, always gracious when he was approached in public, and I'm sorry he was in so much pain. He was an important part of the fabric of the place that was my hometown for awhile.
posted by annathea at 6:29 AM on September 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
I was familiar with his work but didn't know he was The Pizz until he came into my friend's bookstore and she nudged me and said "That's The Pizz" and suddenly it made sense why I was running into him at all those art shows and juice bars.
He was extremely friendly to young artists, always gracious when he was approached in public, and I'm sorry he was in so much pain. He was an important part of the fabric of the place that was my hometown for awhile.
posted by annathea at 6:29 AM on September 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
This might need a bit of a trigger warning on it. That final photo is pretty fantastic, but it's self evidently a bit of a suicide note, no?
posted by wotsac at 7:04 AM on September 6, 2015
posted by wotsac at 7:04 AM on September 6, 2015
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posted by Fuzzy Monster at 8:34 AM on September 6, 2015
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 8:34 AM on September 6, 2015
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posted by Annika Cicada at 11:04 AM on September 6, 2015
posted by Annika Cicada at 11:04 AM on September 6, 2015
A clipping from Juxtapoz of "Come the Weekend" has been brightening my bulletin board for many moons.
Ride on, Pizz, and may your Mai Tai never run dry.
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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 2:45 PM on September 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ride on, Pizz, and may your Mai Tai never run dry.
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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 2:45 PM on September 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
J.G. Thirlwell posted a note about the loss of his friend. Such a tragic loss.
posted by the matching mole at 2:55 PM on September 7, 2015
posted by the matching mole at 2:55 PM on September 7, 2015
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posted by biggreenplant at 4:37 AM on September 6, 2015 [2 favorites]