Joe Cazeno at Art Basel, Credit: Elonte Davis
“She is my self-appointed mentor because I got cool with her when she did the Blackout Walls fest. And I was like, Hey, you don’t know me, but I’m feeling your work. If you need any help or volunteers, I would love to help. And she was like, Come on. I didn’t expect that,” Joe Cazeno III said as he talked about world-renowned artist Sydney James.
Cazeno, who goes by the artist name Cashiesh, recalls when his world stopped and he was able to take his artwork more seriously. Today, he stands on the brink of something big: his recent artwork was showcased at the prestigious Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) Culture House during Art Basel in December, a milestone he could only dream of.
“It was this melting pot of people and artists; it was diverse,” Cazeno said.
“I was one of the only painters. They had sculptors; they had a girl who did something with yarn, somebody who did something with carpet. It was all types of stuff.”
We are all Connected, Courtesy of Joe Cazeno III
Cashiesh is an artist who thrives at the intersection of emotion, nostalgia, and boundless creativity. Specializing in abstract and photorealistic paintings, illustrations, and murals, Cashiesh has carved out a distinctive lane of his own that blends technical mastery with a raw, emotional edge.
For Cashiesh, art isn’t just a career; it’s a way of life. It’s a bridge between the past and present, a conversation between artist and viewer, and a testament to the power of creative expression. Whether working on a sprawling mural or a small, intimate painting, Cashiesh pours his heart into every stroke, leaving behind a legacy that speaks to the beauty of embracing change and the limitless possibilities of art.
He started his artwork journey in 2015, then going through a pandemic all while keeping his day job. With a B.A. in Product Design and two decades of experience in lighting design, graphic design, and fine art, Cashiesh’s artistic journey is a tapestry woven with layers of diverse expertise.
“I’ve done a lot of really cool lighting projects. Little Caesars Arena, MGM Grand, and the Book Cadillac. I have done some Executive lighting designer projects as well. But it just wasn’t like my passion.”
Cashiesh is now being featured in big shows. Last year, his work was featured in “Something to Prove,” curated by rising artist Oshun Willams, who recently collaborated with Gucci Changemakers.
“Something to Prove was followed by my first group show, Cashiesh and Friends,” Cazeno said.
“This was something I just put together based on and inspired by a show Oshun did, and it was a hit. Then, I was a part of a couple of shows in between, and then came Cashiesh and Friends Part 2.”
In September 2024, Cazeno completed a piece at the Godfry Hotel for the Art on Canvas Contest hosted by MARTK’D. The grand prize was to attend Art Basel, and all expenses were paid. Cazeno didn’t place it, but his artwork stood out, and the organizers helped him get noticed by Louis Vuitton.
“The overall experience at Art Basel, I mean, blew me away,” Cazeno said.
“I was just hoping to be healthy; that was the number one priority. So I got down there, and as far as Louis Vuitton, I didn’t know what to expect, but my pieces got down there and made it safely.”
Cashiesh’s art defies the boundaries of a single style. He effortlessly moves between mediums, acrylics, spray paint, paint pens, and resin on surfaces ranging from canvas to massive walls. His abstract pieces hum with energy, while his photorealistic works captivate with their intricate detail.
During his visit to Miami for Art Basel, he was accompanied by a talented group of friends and collaborators. Among them were artist Oshun Williams and photographer Elonte Davis, passionate about capturing the moment and immortalizing every experience in stunning visuals. Completing the group was Nick Lemonious, the innovative force behind Liqour Basket Gratiot.
“We went to different exhibits, and it just blew my mind all the different materials people are using,” Cazeno said,
“Similar to mixed media, people are using everything, all types of sculptural things, and using different ways for photography. It’s no set standards at our Basel.”
Joe Cazenzo at Art Basel, Credit: Elonte Davis
Cashiesh’s art invites viewers to pause and reflect, encouraging them to find their own stories within the swirling colors, precise lines, and bold compositions. He intentionally avoids dictating meaning, believing that art’s power lies in connecting people to their unique interpretations.
“I leaned into the artwork because I had the ability to express myself. I can be free, and I don’t have to do anything somebody wants me to do,” Cazeno said.
Though he has already made a name for himself, Cashiesh views his career as a continuous evolution. With aspirations of achieving international acclaim, he remains grounded in his passion for storytelling through art. Looking ahead, Joe plans to participate in various group shows and aims to break into major galleries and museums.
His ultimate goal is to transition from his full-time graphic design job to a full-time art career, leveraging the connections and recognition gained from his Art Basel experience. He is now preparing for his show on February 8th, and a Spring show to follow.
“I’m doing a series called Standing on the Backs of Giants, and it will pay homage to people who were doing art well before me, including Charles McGee,” Cazeno said.
“I hear people often say Detroit is this new, emerging art scene. And it’s really not; Detroit has been here.”
About Post Author
