David Choe is a renowned artist, muralist, and graffiti writer from Los Angeles, California. He is known for his ability to create powerful and thought-provoking imagery that often reflects his personal experiences and cultural background.
Choe began his artistic career in the early 1990s as a graffiti writer, tagging walls and trains around Los Angeles. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented and prolific graffiti artists in the city, and his work began to attract the attention of art collectors and curators.
David Choe Biography / Wiki
The American artist was born on April 21, 1976, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a conservative Korean immigrant family and began drawing and painting at a young age.
Choe attended the California College of Arts and Crafts in San Francisco but dropped out after one semester to pursue a career as a street artist. He gained notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his graffiti and mural work in Los Angeles and around the world.
Choe has since become a highly sought-after artist, known for his bold, vibrant, and sometimes controversial style. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he has completed large-scale murals for companies such as Facebook and Google.
David Choe Age
As per David Choe’s date of birth, his age is 46 years (as of now, in 2023).
David Choe Height and Weight
David Choe’s height is about 5 feet 7 inches and his weight is approximately 84 kg.
Early rise
Choe began his artistic career in the early 1990s as a graffiti writer, tagging walls and trains around Los Angeles. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented and prolific graffiti artists in the city, and his work began to attract the attention of art collectors and curators. Choe also became involved in the underground art scene, collaborating with other artists and musicians to create multimedia projects and installations.
In 2000, Choe gained international recognition when he was hired by Facebook co-founder Sean Parker to paint a series of murals at the company’s headquarters. Choe was offered the choice between receiving payment in cash or in stock options for the then-fledgling social media company. He chose the stock options, a decision that would prove to be extremely lucrative as Facebook went public in 2012. Choe’s stock was valued at over $200 million at the time of the IPO.
Choe’s success with Facebook allowed him to pursue his artistic career on his own terms. He continued to create murals and paintings, often depicting dark and unsettling imagery that explored themes of sex, violence, and death. Choe also became involved in various other creative projects, including a stint as a host on the Vice TV network and the creation of his own podcast, DVDASA.
Despite his success, Choe has had a tumultuous personal life. He has struggled with drug addiction and has been arrested several times for various crimes, including vandalism and sexual assault. Choe has been open about his struggles with mental illness and has used his art as a means of coping with his demons.
Controversy
David Choe gained public attention in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his street art and murals. He has been involved in several controversies throughout his career, some of which are:
- Facebook Stock Controversy: In 2005, Choe was commissioned by Facebook to paint murals in their headquarters. He was given the option of being paid in cash or stock options, and he chose the latter. When Facebook went public in 2012, Choe’s stock options were worth around $200 million. However, Choe later stated in an interview that he had no regrets about selling most of his shares early on and that he would have preferred to be paid in cash.
- Sexual Misconduct Allegations: In 2014, Choe was accused of sexually assaulting a massage therapist. He denied the allegations but settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. In 2018, several other women came forward with similar allegations against Choe, and he issued a public apology.
- Racism and Misogyny: Choe has been criticized for using racist and misogynistic language in his art and public statements. In 2014, he made offensive comments about rape and HIV/AIDS during a podcast interview, which led to widespread backlash.
- North Korea Mural Controversy: In 2016, Choe painted a mural in North Korea depicting a cartoonish version of their former leader, Kim Jong-il. The mural was widely criticized for being insensitive to the human rights abuses committed by the North Korean government.
Awards and Nominations
Choe has won several awards and honors for his art, including the Webby Award for Best Web Personality/Host in 2010 for his web series “Thumbs Up!”, and the Visionary Award at the 2015 Asian American Pacific Film Festival for his contributions to the arts.
Choe’s artwork has been exhibited in galleries around the world, and he has also created murals for companies such as Facebook and the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. His work has been featured in several publications, including Juxtapoz, The New York Times, and Time magazine.
In 2005, Choe also received a payment of stock options from Facebook for painting murals in their headquarters, which has since grown to be worth millions of dollars. While not a traditional award, this payment has had a significant impact on Choe’s career and financial success.
Notable Works
Some of his notable works include:
- Facebook Headquarters Murals: In 2005, Choe was commissioned to paint murals in the offices of Facebook’s headquarters. The company offered him $60,000 or stock options in lieu of payment, and Choe chose the stock options. When Facebook went public in 2012, Choe’s shares were valued at over $200 million.
- Munko: Choe’s character Munko, a mischievous and often crude creature, has appeared in many of his works, including paintings, murals, and sculptures.
- “Slow Jams”: “Slow Jams” is a series of paintings by Choe that depicts explicit sexual scenes. These works are highly sought after by collectors and have been exhibited in galleries around the world.
- “The Divided States of America”: In 2016, Choe created a series of murals and paintings that explored themes of political division and social unrest in the United States. These works were displayed in a solo exhibition at the Library Street Collective gallery in Detroit.
- “Tokyo Girl”: “Tokyo Girl” is a series of paintings by Choe that depict young Japanese women in various poses and states of undress. These works were exhibited in a solo show at the Lazarides Rathbone gallery in London.
Artistic Success
David Choe is a highly successful artist who has gained widespread recognition for his unique style and skillful use of different mediums.
Choe first gained notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his graffiti art, which could be found on walls and buildings throughout Los Angeles and other cities. He then began to transition to canvas work, and his paintings quickly gained a following in the art world.
One of Choe’s most notable projects was his work for Facebook in 2005, where he was commissioned to paint murals on the walls of the company’s first headquarters. Choe was paid in company stock instead of cash, and when Facebook went public in 2012, Choe’s stock was worth millions of dollars.
Choe’s artwork is known for its raw, provocative, and often explicit subject matter. He has used a wide range of mediums, including spray paint, oil paint, watercolors, and mixed media. He has also worked on large-scale murals and installations, which can be found in public spaces and galleries around the world.
Choe’s success in the art world has led to collaborations with brands such as Nike, Levi’s, and Marvel Comics. He has also published several books of his artwork, including “David Choe,” “Slow Jams,” and “Snowman Monkey BBQ.”
See Also: Catherine Castro Biography / Wiki.
Acting Career
David Choe is primarily known for his career as a painter, graffiti artist, and muralist, but he has also dabbled in acting throughout his career.
Choe’s first acting role was in the 2002 film “Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe,” a documentary about his life and art. He played himself in the film.
In 2010, Choe had a small role in the film “The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence),” in which he played a character named “Naked Asian Man.”
Choe has also appeared in several television shows, including the HBO series “Entourage” in 2010, where he played a version of himself. He has also made appearances in the comedy series “Workaholics” and the animated series “Adventure Time.”
In addition to his acting work, Choe has also worked as a writer and director. He directed the 2014 short film “Thumbs Up!” and co-wrote the screenplay for the 2016 film “The Birth of a Nation.”
David Choe Family
He was born on April 21, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, to Korean immigrant parents.
Choe has mentioned in interviews that his parents were strict and traditional and that they had high expectations for him to become a doctor or lawyer. However, he found his passion in art and pursued that instead.
Choe also has a sister named Stella, who is also an artist. She has worked as an art director and designer for companies such as Nike and Stussy.
David Choe Girlfriend
David Choe is a private person and has not publicly disclosed any information about his marital status or whether he has any children. As such, it is unclear whether he is married or has any children.
Facts
- David Choe was born on April 21, 1976, in Los Angeles, California.
- He is of Korean descent and grew up in Koreatown in Los Angeles.
- Choe gained notoriety in the late 1990s for his graffiti art, which he often created illegally on public spaces.
- In 2005, Choe was commissioned by Facebook to paint murals on the walls of their headquarters. He was given the choice to be paid in cash or stock, and he chose stock. When Facebook went public in 2012, Choe’s stock options were worth an estimated $200 million.
- Choe has had several solo exhibitions of his art, including shows in New York, Tokyo, and Paris.
- He has also published several books of his artwork, including “Bruised Fruit” and “Slow Jams.”
- In addition to his art, Choe is also known for his appearances on the podcast “DVDASA,” which he co-hosted with adult film actor Asa Akira.
- Choe has struggled with addiction throughout his life and has been open about his experiences with drugs and alcohol.
- He is known for his irreverent sense of humor and his willingness to push boundaries in his art.
- Choe has donated a significant amount of his wealth to various charitable causes, including organizations that support victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
David Choe’s Net Worth
David Choe’s net worth as of now, in 2023 is estimated to be about 1-3 million USD. A large portion of his net worth is summed from his acting and artistic profession and from business ventures as well.
Social Media
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LifeStyle
| Does David Choe, Consume Alcohol? | Not Disclosed |
| Does he, Smoke? | Not Disclosed |
| Does he, Drive? | Yes |
| Does David Choe, Swims? | Yes |
| Does he know cooking? | Yes |
| Is he a Yoga Practitioner? | Yes |
| Does Gym? | Yes |
| Is David Choe a Jogger? | Yes |
| Eating Habit? | Not Disclosed |
FAQ
Who is David Choe?
David Choe is an American artist, muralist, and graffiti artist who was born on April 21, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, United States. He is best known for his street art, murals, and his work as an illustrator for magazines and albums
Is David Choe married?
It is unclear whether he is married or not.
What is the age of David Choe?
The age of David Choe is 46 years ( as of 2023).
When is the Birthday of David Choe’s?
David Choe’s birthday is on April 21, 1976.
What is the Zodiac Sign of David Choe?
The Zodiac Sign of David Choe is Taurus.
How tall is David Choe?
David Choe is 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Where is David Choe from?
David Choe is from Los Angeles, CA.
How much is the net worth of David Choe?
As of now in 2023, the net worth of David Choe is summed to be about 1-3 million USD.