At 15 years old, Jack Phoenix was an aspiring graphic designer with over 100 pieces of work and an avid fan base among his peers. His unbridled graffitti-like style evoked strokes of rebellious street art, while strangely conforming to and commenting on the current counter-culture climate. From melting aliens, Donnie-Darko-like rabbits, lazy-eyed film stars and vague Dark Marks, “Jesus with a medical marijuana card” was in essence, the perfect description for Phoenix's signature brand.
Known to his friends by his pen name SAKE, Phoenix had just transferred to Arete Prep Academy to continue his artistic studies. One would wonder what kind of artist Phoenix would have grown to become. Would his style have solidified and matured into something like the classic Chaz Bojórquez? Or would he have kept the cartoon liquidity and contemporary commentary reminiscent of SLICK? Sadly, the world would never know.
Phoenix was crossing the street from Culver City to Palms on the night of November 15th, 2015. Unbeknownst to him, an undercover LAPD police officer was pursuing a stolen vehicle down Venice Blvd. Witnesses say that the police car was not flashing its lights or blaring its sirens as it sped after the stolen Maroon Buick LeSabre, which was barreling down the street at over 90 miles an hour. The car collided with Phoenix at the intersection of Venice blvd. and Hughes Ave., killing him instantly.
Days later, police arrested Paul Brumfield Jr., for second-degree murder, car theft and negligent manslaughter. Brumfield was later sentenced to 27 years in prison.
After the heartbreaking loss of Jack Phoenix, friends and family made a makeshift memorial for the fallen artist at the electric utility box on Hughes Ave., where they left scribbles of well wishes and memories of a full life tragically cut short.
Inspired to continue his artistic legacy, the Phoenix family founded the streetwear fashion brand SAKE, which continues to galvanize the counter-culture youth of Generation Z, with musicians such as Madison Beer, D Savage and Tyler the Creator, as patrons. Phoenix’s father, composer Nick Phoenix, dedicated his 10th studio album in memory of his late son.
Copyright © 2019, Sake Store
Four years after his tragic death, the electric box that was the makeshift memorial for Phoenix was painted over, and artist Ruth Wels created a whimsical and refreshing piece of work highlighting the cute and quirky critters of the Palms neighborhood, while still honoring the memory of the boy who lost his life on that street corner years ago. The scampering raccoon wears one of SAKE’s backpacks, and the passing pigeon carries a love letter from Palms to Jack Phoenix, no doubt watching us from above.
Location of Ruth Wels' Utility Box Mural AKA Jake Phoenix / SAKE Memorial
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