Around Midtown, he’s well known. He’s been seen at the Atlanta Ferris wheel,
in night clubs, and stuck to the side of hipster-esque dumpsters. His name is IKE, and he’s here to make you
smile.
The artist behind IKE is a reclusive street artist who
prefers to be called, well---for the time being---IKE MADNESS.
“It’s a sticker.
IKE. He was born on the side of a
paper cup, originally. He became a
character to highlight happiness,” says the artist.
In just under two
years, IKE has become the unofficial
greeter of Midtown, clinging joyfully to old light poles, and just about
any other place. Fans send the artist their
own Instagram and Twitter pics including IKE stuck to something or someone. And IKE travels everywhere.
“The character was born in the streets, he’s had a rough
life, maybe…but he keeps on smiling,” says the artist. “People tell me all that time that seeing the
character of IKE made their day better.”
IKE became a part of Free Art Fridays, a program started by
local Atlanta artists to get people involved in creating their own art. “IKE began hiding throughout the city, and
soon even I was surprised,” says the
artist.
IKE MADNESS and friend MONDO BALDO are
collaborating on a project to get IKE into hospitals. “We want IKE to
inspire children with
cancers. The character is hairless, he’s
smiling, and he’s giving a big wave,” says the artist behind IKE. “IKE gives us hope; he’s a positive role
model!”
To help connect IKE with great causes, contact the artist at
ikemadness@gmail.com .
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