The Self-Taught 3D NFT Artist Gal Yosef Collabs with Steve Aoki, Justin Bieber and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Gal Yosef is a self-taught prodigy; a modern-day sculptor and world-class 3D Artist. He has set himself among the top three NFT artists in the world, while quickly becoming one of the most influential digital artists of our time. Born on July 7th, 1994, Gal’s gifted imagination has brought him an abundance of opportunities throughout his career to express his creativity through the form of 3D art. 

As of recently, Gall is on his way to becoming an art mogul in the world of digital art and NFT’s. Featured in Forbes, Vogue, Business Insider and Buzzfeed, Gal is celebrated for his reimagined 3D and modern-day renditions of beloved childhood cartoon characters. Gal’s initial public recognition of his Iconic Series collection in 2020 has brought on innovative collaborations with various pop culture icons. 

In September 2021, a collaboration between Gal and singer Justin Bieber on Justin’s Drew House clothing line sparked a flame in the global fashion and art scene. Further collaborations with brands such as GCDS and Dior, have attracted the attention of high-end luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Versace and others. 

Eden Gallery, a leading international contemporary art gallery, signed Gal Yosef in 2021 as one of their exclusive artists. His art is now showcased in galleries across the world in cities such as New York, London, Miami and Mykonos. 

Most recently, Gal received the ‘Artist of the Month’ title awarded by the American Autodesk Corporation. Not long after, Gal showcased his exhibition of artworks at Art Basel Miami 2021 with over 4,000 admirers, at a private event with rapper Boogie Wit Da Hoodie as a special guest – who previously brought Gal on to design the album cover for his hit single ‘24 Hours’. 


Today, Gal has begun to conquer the NFT marketplace. In October 2021, Gal’s 1/1 NFT collaboration with DJ Steve Aoki was auctioned at Sotheby’s – selling for $214,000. Gal’s first NFT collection Crypto Bull Society, sold out 7,777 unique pieces within only two hours for a total of over six million US dollars.Now he sets a high bar for the 2022 NFT field, with his new highly coveted collection Meta Eagle Club sold out. All of the 12,000 NFT eagle eggs were purchased throughout the excited and awaiting NFT community. The public sale sold out within just 24 minutes for a total of over $14M. Requests for Gal’s art exceeded the number of available eagle eggs by more than 1000%. Meta Eagle Club is Gal’s premier own instalment of a series of his collections, making up his vast digital art world called Galyverse.

FEATURE INTERVIEW

  1. You are a self taught prodigy in the field of 3D art and animation, what was your first ever creation? Were you in love or disappointed? What motivated you to continue to pursue 3D art?

The first piece I made was at about 16 years old, and it was kind of a robot, to be honest I was very surprised I was even able to create it. But, I was not in love with the work, I didn’t feel whole with it, and I didn’t feel like an artist. My ambitions were always high, as a child I was very determined.

Ambition has always motivated me to succeed in touching the dream of being a 3D artist, the fact that I really wanted to succeed in creating realistic characters, and that I wasn’t there on the technical level, made me not give up and motivated me to continue.

  1. As someone who believes there is space in pop art for all kinds of creativity, how do you aim to push and challenge common notions of pop art?

As history has shown us – the first to dare is the first to be a piece of history – let’s take for example Andy Warhol who was the pioneer of pop art and who left a stamp on history forever. In order to change the existing perception, new things must and can be invented. There are lots of artists who try, but lots of times by imitating other artists, and there is a fine line between inspiration and copying. When the inspiration is taken to the right place, something new can be created – which will lead to a new pop art.

There are no rules to pop art, it’s not limited in any way, Andy Warhol was one of the first, but if you invent something new in the field you too will be a part of history. Take me for instance – no one would think that a 3D artist would be part of pop art. Once you dare good things happen.

  1. How would you describe NFT to someone who does not have an understanding of it? What advice would you give to an independent artist trying to get more recognition for their work?

I will say briefly that it’s a digital artwork, any kind of artwork and not just 3D art – at least that’s how it started. The world brings with it over time new platforms, so artists should remain the same artists, but adjust by making their artworks accessible to the new platforms. The problem is that people try to be what they are not, in the pursuit of trying to succeed and so they fail.

I think my success in the field is because I have stayed true to my creations and my style.

But what you can do – NFT’s can be promoted by utilities – you get benefits with your NFT (such as airdrops, real life events, tokens, etc’), which are not given when you buy artwork in the tangible world. The utilities can greatly strengthen projects and leverage them.

  1. Can you tell us more about your different collaborations with Steve Aoki?

With Steve Aoki I collaborated on 1/1 NFT, an artwork called “Metazoo Mothman”.

I was in charge of the art and Steve on the music – it was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for 214,000$. We’ve got to talk about collaborating again in the future and maybe someday it’ll happen.

  • Can you tell us more about your different collaborations with Justin Bieber?
  • There’s a lot going on with Justin Bieber, what’s been done so far is a very small part and more of a teaser of what’s to come! There are many big things on the way, all in a collaboration with Justin’s fashion brand “Drew House”. We also got to talk about NFT, and maybe in the future, it will also come to fruition.

    1. As a 3D artist you play around with perception and form to bring us a different element of the virtual world. How do you think you will continue to push these realms? 

    My inspiration comes from the real world, it’s something I flow with, I have no rules. If I see the world turning in a certain direction, my art might also change its course. Everything today is based on money, so my artworks are definitely driven by this concept. I like to express the characteristics of the world through my creations. If the world takes a surprising turn, so will my artworks.

    1. Today you are a very celebrated artist that is represented by Eden Gallery in New York, London, Aspen, Mykonos, Miami and soon Dubai. What is your dream city to be showcased in?

    First of all I would like to say that I am very happy with Eden Gallery that is presenting me, and I want to continue to grow with them. The ambition today is to start exhibiting works in museums as well. I would very much like to be exhibited in Japan – Tokyo, and Shanghai – China. Hope it’ll happen soon.

    1. Would you ever create a 3D music video; if so, which musicians would you love to create a virtual world for?

    I’ve already done a 3D music video for a good friend of mine, the rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, on his song “Be Free”. I would be happy to do another music video in the future for my friends in the music industry such as Justin Bieber or SB Projects.

    1. Meta Eagle Club is your flagship project today, can you explain the project to us?

    Meta Eagle Club is my newest collection of 12,000 captivating eagle avatars.

    I was searching for a character that could help portray a charismatic avatar, but also one that’s warm and inspiring to others. The eagles are a symbol of freedom in so many different cultures, and also represent the strong and brave-hearted. Working on the wings and feathers allowed me to soar and explore new heights in 3D art.

    The drop was a great success, the whole team is very proud to have been sold out within only 24 minutes in the public sale. We are achieving something really special in the long term, that is what makes our team strong and different.

    Meta Eagle Club is only the beginning of a great adventure, indeed, it is now about creating a real universe, the “Galyverse”. The Eagles will be characters who will be evolving in the Galyverse, which will adopt the codes of the current Metaverse concept. Throughout this entire ecosystem, the NFTs will have many features and great collaborations are coming up. The main goal is to create several categories of characters who can interact in the metaverse, the Eagles are the first kind of character but others will soon be integrated into the Galyverse. 

    1. What are your thoughts about the future of the metaverse?

    I think it’s the new world but it does not replace the existing one. It is a very important category in the contemporary world. It upgrades it. Covid greatly accelerated the process, the metaverse arrived earlier than expected. The metaverse offers us room to expand in a variety of different aspects and offers another option for trading in the world – whether it’s in real estate or in gaming companies and more. I very much support and believe in this process.

    LINKS

    Gal IG – https://www.instagram.com/galyosef/

    Gal Twitter – https://twitter.com/galyartist

    Gal Behance – https://www.behance.net/galyosef

    Galyverse IG – https://www.instagram.com/galyversenft/

    Galyverse website – https://galyverse.io

    Gal on Eden Gallery – https://www.eden-gallery.com/artist/gal-yosef

    CREDITS

    Interviewed and Edited by SHIRLEY REYNOZO @moyamusic_

    Graphic Artist: Sebastián Chicchón @jager.noon

    Photography and Creative Direction: Jared Ryder @jaredryder


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