As a fourth-generation artist and sculptor, John Orion Young (JOY) is constantly pushing the boundaries of art creation, distribution, and experience through the use of cutting-edge technologies like AR, VR, AI, and blockchain.
JOY is a trailblazer in the world of digital art, having created and launched the first NFT contract and minted the first 3D art on the blockchain in April 2018. He is also the mastermind behind JOYWORLD, an immersive metaverse experience that aims to bring joy and creativity to its users.
Growing up, JOY was heavily influenced by his father, a wildlife biologist turned artist, and was classically trained in the techniques of oil painting and lost-wax bronze casting. This background instilled in him a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and the role of art in reflecting it.
As a young artist, JOY was inspired by the works of Salvador Dali, which opened his eyes to the limitless possibilities of art. He spent years creating thousands of artworks, filling every living space with his creations. Eventually, he co-founded the FU Collective, an art gallery in the heart of Denver's art district, where he would host art openings, meet with collectors, and sell his art.
However, JOY grew tired of the wasteful nature of the traditional art world, where physical artworks had to be stored, transported, and sometimes lost. He began to explore new ways of creating and distributing art, which led him to the world of virtual reality and blockchain.
In 2016, JOY discovered the potential of VR when he watched a video of someone creating a giant red spider in an Oculus VR headset. This experience sparked his interest in creating art in virtual worlds and led him to build his own VR setup. He spent the next year getting lost in TiltBrush and Oculus Medium, experimenting with different styles and techniques.
In late 2017, JOY became fascinated with CryptoKitties, the world's first blockchain-based game. He realized that blockchain technology could be used to create new types of art contracts that would allow collectors to own virtual artworks directly from the artist. This led him to create his own NFT contract, which he minted on April 24, 2018. To this day, JOY's artworks are considered the first 3D art on the blockchain.
JOYWORLD is the culmination of JOY's vision and passion for art, technology, and community. It is an ever-expanding artwork that invites collectors to take a multi-dimensional journey through the metaverse and experience the joy and creativity that JOY has to offer.