Photo: Justin Carder
CHS met Boma Cho hanging out with his t-shirts and staying dry in the breezeway next to Caffe Vita on a rainy weeknight recently. He was playing a guitar. CHS was toting a camera. He said it was cool to take a picture. Here’s his story thanks to our friends at Seattle University’s The Spectator:
It seems as if Cho appeared on East Pike Street overnight.
In actuality, Cho has been a staple of the Seattle art scene since the late ’80s when he immigrated from Cameroon. In the ’90s, he was known for his music and even organized radio plays.
Now, as a designer, Cho’s motto is “to recycle stuff to transform new stuff.”
His prints usually consist of animals, from elephants to giraffes to famous influential figures. He also uses other media, such as canvas and wood.
Cho has sold his art all over Seattle, getting displaced from one neighborhood to the next by city officials.
After selling his work at the Fremont Sunday Market,the Ave, to on Mercer Street and 1st Avenue Cho believes he has finally found solace operating next to Vita, where his relationship with the owner allowed him to settle next to the coffee house.
Awesome for Boma, but not new “news.” He’s always out there and has great personality.
Cheers for Cho!
Boma is the epitome of why Capitol Hill is so rich in our own brand of culture. Hi Boma.
I have one of his prints on my wall here in Indiana, of the Red Horse. It’s not realistic, but I like the energy and style of it.