From Homeless to Banksy's Inspiration: The Viral Redemption of Street Artist JPS
Explore the incredible journey of JPS, a street artist who overcame homelessness and addiction to become a viral sensation inspired by Banksy.
Can a crack in the wall change your life? For one artist, it did more than that—it saved it. Jamie Paul Scanlon, better known as JPS, has become a global sensation by turning urban decay into clever visual puns and horror-themed masterpieces. His journey from the depths of addiction to the heights of the street art world is the ultimate comeback story.
A Life Reclaimed Through a Stolen Spray Can
JPS's early years were marked by tragedy. According to Bored Panda, after the murder of two close friends, he spiraled into heavy drug abuse and eventually found himself sleeping on the roof of an abandoned hotel. The turning point came in 2009, when he visited a Banksy exhibition in Bristol at the age of 32. Blown away by the speed and impact of the works, JPS realized he'd thrown his talent away. He didn't just quit drugs; he replaced them with a stencil and a spray can, teaching himself the craft while battling through relapses to find his own unique voice.
Making the Mundane Magical
Today, JPS is famous for his site-specific interventions. Whether it's a horror character lurking in a drain or a clever pun involving a weed growing from concrete, his work forces pedestrians to stop and smile. His creativity, which once impressed his school teachers, now reaches millions online. He’s even been noted for inspiring the very artist who started his journey—Banksy himself. Despite the occasional hater, JPS says seeing people share photos of his work numerous times on social media is the 'best feeling in the world.'
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