Meet the Artists of the Main Street Mural
(L-R) Hope Washinushi, Open Studio Project’s Creative Director; Xavier Wynn & Edwige Massart, Artists; Rob Lentz, Open Studio Project’s Executive Director; Oscar Joyo, muralist
Our creative team represents decades of experience designing and executing public art projects, as well as leading meaningful community engagement. Get to know these amazing artists!
Oscar Joyo is a Malawian born, Chicago based artist. His genre of work can be described as Afrofuturism mixed with Afrosurrealism. Oscar’s love for the arts began as a young boy drawing cartoons in Malawi. He and his passion for art traveled all the way to Chicago, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Life Drawing at The American Academy of Art in 2015. Shortly after graduating, he developed his signature technique and style of tribal patterns and vivid portraiture. Oscar attributes his chromesthesia (the ability to see
(L-R) Oscar Joyo’s recent solo show at Chicago’s VSG Contemporary; the artist in his studio
colors when hearing sounds) to his use of various color gradients and intergalactic color schemes. He pays homage to his Malawian heritage by his use of fun shapes and patterns that breathe life into the paintings. Oscar is active in the mural art scene in Chicago, having completed murals for several organizations around the midwest. He is also proficient in digital media, as he has collaborated with the NFL, Doc Martens, and Nike. His work is a love letter to his African heritage and the hope that there will be a better future for people of colour.
Edwige Massart & Xavier Wynn: Originally from France, Edwige Massart trained as a Decorative Artist in Belgium, then moved to Miami Beach and founded Chrysalis Decorative Painting. She designed and executed one-of-a-kind custom interior faux finishes and murals for a range of high-profile clients. After moving to Chicago, she turned her interest towards art therapy, and now works with developmentally disabled individuals as an Art Facilitator while expanding her skills as an artist and photographer. Born in the Midwest, Xavier Wynn studied Graphic Design at the University of Notre Dame. He is an illustrator, graphic
(L-R) Edwige & Xavier at work; examples of their signature collaboration HEADS
designer, creative director, and user-experience expert. He also works as an artist while honing his skills as an assistant pencil sharpener. Edwige and Xavier have been together for over two decades. They began creating artwork together in 2012 to combine interests and skills, and to make something together. Their creativity and passion have taken on an identity—EMXW—a joint exploration of art and life reflected through shared experiences.