08/27/2026
For one week only, Caps Off Brewing Co. is hosting the first instalment of “The Job of the Artist Is to Fill the Space.” The show closes on August 30th, so check it out before it's gone!
This project places the intimacy of a traditional gallery inside a brewery, where a wider audience can encounter the work.
The project shares moments from my time in LA and Long Beach as videos and artworks.
The Long Beach portion explores how artists and cultural figures—including Snoop Dogg and Stevie Wonder—use their influence to fill spaces, bring people together and contribute to healing within their communities.
I’ve been going to Long Beach for work for years, and on my first trip, I discovered a Johnny Rockets that became a favourite. It was family-owned, had free Wi-Fi, a $9.99 burger special, and was quiet enough to work over a burger.
This past March, I returned and the restaurant was under construction, but people were inside. I met Adam, who told me I couldn’t get a burger that evening—but that I should come back the next day for the grand opening of Marathon Burger (The Marathon Store).
The next day, between edits and uploads, I headed back. This time, the place was packed.
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Marathon Burger is an extension of the Marathon brand. “The Marathon” is a philosophy, mixtape and brand created by the late American rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle. Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue had just been unveiled as Nipsey Hussle Square on February 28, 2026. Snoop Dogg has also invested in the franchise and was there for the opening.
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Marathon made the launch special with celebrity guests and community activations. The energy was electric, and the line stretched around the block.
I didn’t have time to wait in line for a burger, I had to come back a couple more times before I was able to wait long enough to get one - but I did capture some special moments from an incredible community event.
What struck me most at the time was how Nipsey Hussle’s legacy, Blacc Sam’s continued advocacy, Snoop Dogg’s support, and promotion from the Mayor of Long Beach and others brought thousands of people together.
It was a reminder that the impact of community, culture and legacy was the real story here.
From an artistic perspective, instead of positioning at the centre of the action, I chose to shoot the event from the stairs just outside the new Marathon Burger to be able to show just how many people were there. I loved the visual when Snoop dog arrived and almost everyone's phones popped up to record the event.
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