
David Choe is a well-known artist, graffiti writer, muralist, and podcaster based in Los Angeles, California. His unique style and talent have made him one of the most influential and successful artists of his generation. Choe’s net worth is estimated to be around $200 million, making him one of the wealthiest artists in the world.
Choe’s rise to fame and fortune didn’t come overnight. He has struggled and hustled for years, living on the streets, in squats, and even in his car, honing his craft and developing his skills. In this article, we will take a closer look at David Choe’s net worth and career, his early life, and education, his personal life, and his legacy.
What is David Choe’s Net Worth and Salary?
David Choe’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $200 million, according to Wealthy Persons. He has accumulated this significant wealth through his art and various business ventures.
Choe has done commissions for companies like Levi’s, Nike, and Facebook, which reportedly paid him in stock, which later proved to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars when the company went public. Choe also co-hosts the podcast The David Choe Show with Asa Akira. In addition, he has appeared on various TV shows like Vice, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, and The Howard Stern Show.
Early Life and Education
David Choe was born in Los Angeles on April 21, 1976, to Korean immigrant parents. He grew up in a working-class family and attended high school at the California School of the Arts. By the time he was in high school, Choe had already developed an interest in graffiti and began practicing his craft in the streets of Los Angeles.
After high school, Choe attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, but dropped out after only one semester. He moved to New York and started freelancing as a graffiti artist, using his talent to create murals and artwork for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Career
David Choe’s career started in the streets of Los Angeles, where he was known for his graffiti art. He continued to work as a freelance artist and muralist in New York before eventually moving back to Los Angeles. Choe gained mainstream recognition when he was commissioned by Facebook’s Sean Parker to paint a mural at the company’s former headquarters in Palo Alto.
The deal Parker offered Choe was unconventional – instead of being paid a fixed fee for his work, he offered Choe a stake in the fledgling social media company that was, at the time, a startup with no proven business model. Choe accepted the offer and painted a mural on one of Facebook’s office walls. However, as Facebook grew, Choe forgot about his shares in the company, which later turned out to be worth an estimated $200 million.
Choe also created artwork for various companies, including Star Wars, The Simpsons, and Levi’s, and he released a book, “Slow Jams,” which showcases his artwork and murals.
Personal Life
David Choe is notoriously private and has kept his personal life out of the public eye as much as possible. He rarely gives interviews and avoids any speculation about his personal life. However, Choe has spoken about his struggles with drug addiction and his time on the streets before he became successful.
Real Estate
David Choe is known for his extravagant lifestyle and has bought and sold many properties over the years. He owned a house in Hollywood, which he eventually sold for almost $4 million. He also owns a farm in northern California, which he uses as a creative retreat but, beyond this information, it’s unclear if he owns other properties.
Legacy
David Choe is known for his bold, colorful, and often controversial artwork. His work has been shown in galleries all over the world, and his murals can be seen in various locations across the United States. His style has inspired a generation of young artists and graffiti writers, and his success has proven that hard work, dedication, and a unique talent can pay off in spades.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How did David Choe get started as an artist?
Choe started as a graffiti artist in the streets of Los Angeles, honing his craft and developing his unique style. He eventually gained recognition for his work and started to be commissioned for murals and artwork for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
2. What was David Choe’s first big break?
David Choe’s first big break came when Facebook’s Sean Parker commissioned him to paint a mural at the company’s headquarters. Parker offered Choe shares in the startup instead of a fixed fee for his work. The shares turned out to be worth an estimated $200 million when Facebook went public years later.
3. What companies has David Choe worked for?
David Choe has worked for many companies, including Facebook, Nike, Levi’s, Upper Playground, Star Wars, and The Simpsons.
4. How did David Choe become so wealthy?
David Choe accumulated his wealth through his art and various business ventures. He has painted murals and created artwork for many companies, and received payments in stocks or royalties. Choe is also a successful podcast host and has appeared on various TV shows.
5. What is David Choe’s art style?
David Choe’s art style is known for its bold, colorful, and often sexually explicit imagery. His work ranges from lowbrow street art to high-end gallery pieces and explores themes of morality, desire, and identity.
6. Is David Choe still creating art?
Yes, David Choe is still creating art and remains very active in the art scene. He exhibits his own work and creates murals for private clients. He also collaborates with other artists and often works on community-based projects.
7. Has David Choe ever been in any legal trouble?
Yes, David Choe has had several brushes with the law throughout his career. He has been arrested multiple times for graffiti offenses, and in 2004, he was accused of sexually assaulting a masseuse. Choe pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of felony assault and was sentenced to probation and community service.
8. What is David Choe’s podcast about?
David Choe hosts a podcast called The David Choe Show with Asa Akira. The show is described as a “rambling stream-of-consciousness” podcast that covers a wide range of topics, from art and culture to sex and relationships.
9. What is David Choe’s book “Slow Jams” about?
David Choe’s book “Slow Jams” is a collection of his artwork and murals from the early days of his career. The book includes sketches, paintings, and photographs of Choe’s street art and murals. It also includes a foreword by filmmaker Kevin Smith.
10. What is David Choe’s most famous piece of art?
David Choe’s most famous piece of art is probably the mural he painted at Facebook’s former headquarters in Palo Alto. The mural, which featured a psychedelic scene with cartoon animals, covered one of the walls in the company’s main lobby. The mural has been widely credited with helping to create Facebook’s quirky and playful corporate culture.
11. What inspires David Choe’s art?
David Choe’s art is inspired by a wide range of sources, including his Korean heritage, American pop culture, and graffiti writing. His work often explores themes of sexuality, violence, and moral decay, and is known for its dark humor and whimsical imagery.
12. Does David Choe have any children?
David Choe’s personal life is kept very private, and it’s unclear if he has any children. He rarely discusses his personal life in public or on social media.
13. What is David Choe’s relationship with Shepard Fairey?
David Choe and Shepard Fairey are both street artists and graffiti writers who have been friends and collaborators for years. They often work together on public art projects and murals, and Fairey has cited Choe as one of his biggest influences.
14. Does David Choe give back to his community?
David Choe has been involved in many community-based projects over the years. He has painted murals for schools, libraries, and other public institutions and has donated artwork to various charity auctions. In addition, he supports various nonprofit organizations and has been known to give back to his community in many ways.
15. What is David Choe’s message to young artists?
David Choe’s message to young artists is to stay true to themselves and to never give up on their dreams. He often talks about the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in the creative world and encourages young artists to keep pushing the boundaries and to take chances.
Conclusion
David Choe is an enigmatic and talented artist who has achieved remarkable success through sheer hard work and dedication. Despite his wealth, he remains grounded and humble, continuing to create art and inspire others with his unique vision and style. Choe’s legacy will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come, as he has proven that art can be a way to express oneself and a path to great prosperity.
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