ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Jai Vasicek from Ahoy Trader

Here at Vavoom headquarters we like nothing more than hunting for and showcasing new and exciting talent from around Australia and the globe. One of our favourite people, and someone we had the privilege and honour of discovering a couple of years ago, was the eclectic, talented and infectiously passionate Jai Vasicek from Ahoy Trader. We have been selling his highly sought after range of objet d’art and decor items for many years and are one of the largest online stockists of his evocative and versatile creative pieces. We thought it was high time we pulled up a chair and listened to the mesmerising stories that have helped shape and inspire this gorgeous artist with his smile for miles.

Our fellow global nomad Jai is a self-confessed ‘sea gypsy’ having spent his childhood years sailing around the world on a boat named ‘Malachi’ with his family, quickly developing a deep love for the sea, global cultures and the big wide world out there.

His travels through Brazil, Indonesia, South America and Europe can be seen in the bold and exotic iconograpgy of his ceramic tiles, crucifixes and portholes. Each piece tells a multi-layered story through pattern, black and white images, splashes of neon colour, animals and the alluring appeal of the female form. His Byron Bay boutique is part gallery part travel memoirs, as if it were a living, breathing journal of his global adventures.

The sea and nature play a distinct role in his artistic output through the use of an array of gorgeously eclectic mixed media and embellishments: feathers, shells, beads, raffia and tassels are an ode to Jai’s connection with the outdoors and his ability to incorporate local artisanal techniques and trades to his own uniquely creative style.

Our go-to décor hack for his expressive pieces is grouping his bold crosses with smaller tiles clustered around them. Depending on what hand-painted pieces you choose you then create your own mini-story, reflecting your own personal journey of discovery through his artistic interpretations. Pretty deep stuff! Shop this life-changing Ahoy Trader range here.