Top 3 Winner Michael Savoie of the 5th Annual Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series competition had this to say about traveling: “I am an artist by nature whose journey has landed me stops in fashion and graphic design ultimately settling into my current role as photographer and painter.”
It should come as little surprise that Savoie would be comfortable in Houston, where, as a winner, he worked with Eyeful Art and Bombay Sapphire to construct a massive public mural installation for the remainder of the year. Though he worked predominantly as a photographer, he taught himself to paint. It only seems right that his journey would come full circle, with his mural depicting an African American with a palpable European influence. “The short hair and androgynous look works for my approach in that it creates a silhouette that is sleek, stylish and bold.” In other words, Savoie hasn’t really let go of his high-fashion influence. She’s posed; she’s powerful. Savoie clarified: “I wanted to present an image that would stand as an icon in the community.”
Savoie is leveraging a powerful institution: since its inception, the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series competition has received more than 15,000 submissions, and more than $260,000 of artwork by competition finalists has been sold. In 2012, Chicago finalist Hebru Brantley sold his finale piece to Jay Z for $20,000 during Art Basel. Savoie’s work can be seen on television shows such as The Real Housewives and Empire.
To celebrate, the cocktail reception was in honor of Michael Savoie’s success in the 5th Annual Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series competition, which is in partnership with Russell Simmons’ RUSH Philanthropic Arts Foundation. Artfully crafted concoctions were served throughout the evening provided by Bombay Sapphire and many influential locals and patrons of the arts made an appearance to celebrate the noble effort.
