Argentinian by birth, Franco Fasoli, is an urban artist who signs his numerous works spread around the world with the pseudonym “JAZ.” His style along with the themes he paints speak to the ideas of competition, struggle, and identity—all tinged with a sense of irony.
Born into a family of artists, Franco went through formal training to become a set designer and worked for a time at the prestigious “Teatro Colón” in Buenos Aires, a job that taught him a variety of skills such as sculpture, carpentry, and painting. Even today you can see the influence this experience had both on his technique and on the style of scenes he paints.
One of the first urban artists active in Buenos Aires, in the early 90’s he was drawn to muralism and adopted a more stylized approach. At first, his works depicted a number of icons from Argentinian culture but later he started painting animals, people, and chimera (part human part animal) as a metaphor for raising political and social questions. His characters are often seen locked in struggles, symbolizing the way modern people often have to fight for their identity, social standing, and political preferences.
People often credit JAZ with being responsible for the recent boom in Argentinan street art, though he prefers to call the phenomenon a “resurgence of Latin American muralism.” He goes on to say that It is difficult for him to identify with the muralist tradition of the 20th century because “they were working towards a specific political agenda”, while the murals of the 21st century reflect popular culture, the internet, and ideas that come from globalization.
You can follow the most recent updates on his Instagram account at: https://www.instagram.com/francofasolijaz/