Colorblind Street Artist GOMAD Creates A Feast for the Eyes

Like many others who are colorblind, the 46 year old South Holland native was born that way. "I recognize most of the primary colors, but some colors just really get mixed up. Blues become purples and greens become browns in my eyes"

To get a better understanding of the world he lives in, GOMAD sent us the photo above. Ironically the only thing not affected from colorblindness in this image... is the art. The question still remains though.

HOW ?

How could a visually impaired individual create such vidid works of art? Especially when so many key colors look the same to him. He shares the unique emotional persistence that creatives like Beethoven and Ray Charles had bestowed within them. The inner drive to continue when everyone including the tools you were born with recommends otherwise. You also may be asking yourself: How come I've never heard of this guy? That's because the majority of his work is scattered throughout Europe with a very minimal amount in the U.S. We have a good feeing that's going to change in the next few years though.   

"Luckily all spray paint brands have color codes and names on them. Over the past 30 years, I've learned them all by heart. I also at times ask my wife for advice."

THE SPARK

As life evolves, there comes a moment to most visionaries that sparks their curiosity. GOMAD's interest in the culture was triggered from the 1984 movie 'Beat Street' along with the documentary 'Style Wars'. His intrigue later lead to a bachelors degree in art. As the spark grew more into a flame, the artist divided his time between a day job at an advertisement agency and graffiti. Then in 2013 Marcus GOMAD Debie walked away from it all and pursued a full time career as an "Urban Fine Artist."