Metamorphosis of Creativity: The Transformation of Jeremy Arviso through Art and Enterprise
Part One of a Two Part Series
In the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, amidst the vibrant hues of the Southwest and the energy of modern urban life, stands multidisciplinary artist and designer Jeremy Arviso. A member of the Diné, Hopi, Akimel O'odham, and Tohono O'odham nations, Arviso’s tale is one of redemption, creativity, and unyielding entrepreneurship. On his website, Arviso writes,
I am of the Salt Clan.
I am born for The Water Flows Together Clan.
My maternal Grandpa is Hopi, Pima and Tohono O’odam.
My paternal Grandpa is from the Red House Clan.
His artistry is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the ability to recreate oneself through art. From confronting personal challenges to garnering partnerships with industry giants, he represents a beacon of hope and innovation for many, especially within the indigenous communities he hails from.
From his challenging past with substance abuse and alcohol to his groundbreaking work with colossal brands such as Nike, Jeremy’s trajectory is as inspiring as his multidisciplinary artworks. His career arc—from incarceration to high-profile collaborations—heroically outlines the narrative of a true phoenix rising from the ashes.
Artist Evolution
Jeremy Arviso’s life story reads like a masterclass in survival and systemic defiance. His life and work are stirring examples of how personal trials can be channeled into powerful creative expression. Arviso started his artistic journey at the tender age of fourteen. When reflecting on a youth spent in the pursuit of artistic endeavors, Arviso revealed,
“I received an airbrush for my 14th birthday when I was in High School in 1994. I started airbrushing my own shirts and backpack, pager, etc. I started getting orders. By my Junior year, my mother taught me how to use a sewing machine and I started making my own jeans with custom patches and pockets. I printed my first design in 2000 and learned to shoot and print in 2001”. (source: beyondbuckskin.com)
Having proved to himself success as a fledgling entrepreneur, Arviso’s grit and determination to succeed grew into a gradual carving of his identity and building a name for himself. From high school, Arviso took to pop-up shops and local consignment in Phoenix, Arizona and San Francisco, California. As Arviso explained in an email,
“I’ve been doing pop-ups for quite some time now as an entrepreneur who’s been designing and printing shirts since 2001. I’d bring a table and sell merch at Hip Hop gatherings and shows here in Phoenix, Arizona, and then in San Francisco, California. It started out simple, just a few t-shirt designs, handmade stickers, and small canvases. It started to change and grow as I evolved as an artist and moved to other areas of commerce like retail. I’d take my shirts to local skate shops or anything that was related to street style and leave them on consignment. This is how I was able to get my work out to other people before selling on the internet was what it is today. Fast forward to 2020 and I had accumulated knowledge of how to market and advertise at large conventions and trade shows.”
From a young age Arviso proved himself as someone who lived by a philosophy grounded firmly in self-learning, relentless pursuit, and genuine love for one's craft. When looking back over the trajectory of his artistic pursuits, what is clear is Arviso’s internal drive to reinvent the wheel.
When asked about the development of his artistic brand RVSO DSGN, Arviso explained,
“I started my first label, RezRocket, in 2005 in San Francisco, CA, and my second label, Noble Savage, in 2012, and now RVSO DSGN in 2015…” (source: beyondbuckskin.com)
“In the end, you’re completely responsible for your success or failure and the work that you put into it will be obvious”.
His philosophy revolves around empowerment through art and self-discovery, particularly for indigenous creatives who often face steep paths to recognition and success. From a grassroots movement hustling hand-printed shirts at hip-hop events to developing an online marketplace in the wake of the pandemic, it is Arviso’s grit and constant desire to be ahead of the game that truly define his enterprising spirit.
Founding The Original Landlords Brand
Jeremy Arviso's life and work challenge the mainstream dialogue around Indigenous creators, boldly pushing boundaries and intersecting tradition with modernity to make indelible marks on both the cultural scenery and urban landscapes. Since launching RVSO DSGN in 2015, Jeremy Arviso has boldly carved out a space for himself in the traditional and contemporary art spheres. The entrepreneurial spirit behind the formation of RVSO DSGN led to the inception of his brand, The Original Landlords, a marque that reflects the defiance and cultural richness of Indigenous peoples.
As Arviso explained in an email,
“My work definitely has a southwestern vibe to it being that my genealogical makeup is of the Diné, Hopi, Akimel and Tohono O’odham Nations all based here in Arizona. However, I’d like to think of my work as transcending any specific region that encompasses more than just the southwest. I take a little bit of everywhere I’ve been and put it in each of my pieces, this is what I think helps my work stand out from others”.
His story redefines the frame of indigenous art and artist entrepreneurship, adding layers to the rich tapestry of his Southwestern background. With authenticity at its core, The Original Landlords stands as a testament to Arviso's dedication to craft and community. For Arviso, The Original Landlords is not just a brand; it is a powerful statement embedded in streetwear. Through the lens of fashion, Arviso seeks to rewrite prevailing narratives, frequently remixing high-value logos into thought-provoking art pieces that bridge modern pop culture with deep-set tradition. Where his earlier works radiated the turbulence of his struggles, Jeremy’s current artistic statements reflect a mind deep in contemplation—introspective, poised, and profound.
Making Waves with Major Brands
Transitioning from pop-up booths to the main stage of large-scale collaborations, Arviso’s stories behind working with flagship entities are as colorful and diverse as his art.
As a creative consultant for RVSO DSGN, Arviso's collaborative spirit has led to significant projects with entities such as Nike, The Phoenix Suns, and the NFL, establishing him as a creative force to be reckoned with. His ability to infuse traditional cultural elements into these partnerships exemplifies a seamless blend of heritage and contemporary flair.
The Phoenix Suns Originativ Project is arguably one of the most significant events of Arviso’s storied career. Arviso was honored to serve as the creative lead on the Originativ Project during the 2022-2023 NBA season. As Arviso explains on his website,
“the Originativ project was released to honor the 22 federal recognized tribal nations in Arizona. Two years in the making, this monumental feat was accomplished with the help of Native American artists, designers, musicians and performers”.
The Phoenix Suns were the first team in the NBA to collaborate with Indigenous tribal nations, and all 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona were involved. Arviso served as the creative lead on visual communications, working with the marketing and sales team to achieve the teams’ showcase of Native culture that has made its mark on the professional sports world. Arviso was responsible for the brand identity design, the t-shirt design, and footprint center Arena graphics. Arviso had a dedicated video vignette on his business shared across social media, suns.com website as well as the Suns Broadcast Custom jersey - the 2022- 23 Phoenix Suns Nike City Edition Uniform. During the event, Arviso’s work was the on the jumbotron, and he was recognized in front of 17,000 people in a sold-out arena.
Reflecting on the event and his involvement as creative lead, the Phoenix Suns Originativ Project is one of the projects that Arviso is most proud of. For Arviso, looking back on his time as a kid in middle school, he “never would have dreamt that he would one day do work for the Phoenix Suns”. The breadth of the project was “incredible to work on and opened up so many doors for me”. Furthermore, Arviso’s work with the Phoenix Suns and the NBA has changed the game and represented the Indigenous nations of Arizona. The work for the organization has given him
“critical acclaim and a massive public platform for my work to be seen, it was one of the most ambitious and challenging projects that was a complete success and I’m proud to have worked on it".
“The collaboration with the Phoenix Suns has brought me a lot of validity in my work, pride and joy because I just really have had creative freedom in using my four tribes to create something that people are going to wear. More importantly the fans and I think, actually, know, it’ll resonate with our native fans and hoping all of our fans will love it as much as I do. It’s also letting people know that we are the original landlords. That this is our land, that this is where you’re walking, where you’re living where you’re playing basketball at, is on Native land. And my intentions for the Original Landlords is to remind people about that and hopefully they remember”.
Part One of a Two Part Series
To be continued.