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Artist Behind Simpsons Posters Talks Battling Depression, Drinking With Art

By Linze Rice | October 6, 2015 7:30am
 Posted on the front of a vacant furniture store in Wicker Park, artist JH Jones writes that depression can
Posted on the front of a vacant furniture store in Wicker Park, artist JH Jones writes that depression can "suck my ----."
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Jenna Rose

CHICAGO — The artist behind a number of Simpsons-themed posters featuring lyrics by local and prominent rappers alike says his works are both due to — and in defiance of — depression.

"As any enthusiast would know, the underlying tones in certain characters and episodes is just as dark as the words I paint them with," said the artist who goes by the moniker JH Jones.

For him, the combination of a '90s "nostalgia trip" and modern words help convey that sense of both lightheartedness and sadness — an emotional dichotomy he's no stranger to.

Linze Rice discusses the artist's battle with depression:

The artist is in his 20s and a lifelong, proud South Sider currently living in Bridgeport.

He describes one work seen on Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park depicting Homer Simpson and the words, "Dear depression suck my ----," as something that was created during an "emotional moment."

In a scene he describes as "cliche," Jones said instead of "self-medicating" his lifelong battle with dysthymia — or steady, mild depression — by sinking into a bout of binge drinking, he picked up the paint instead.

"Typically dealing with my emotional episodes I tend to just night cap it and call it a day. That night I stood up and painted a few," he said.

He said it's a hobby he picked up a few months ago doing "goofy inside jokes" for his friends and family. But after being "exposed deeply in the scene" to the works of famous South Side artists like Jay Jasso, his mind was opened up to the countless ways he could begin expressing himself and coping with his health issues in more constructive ways.

"I realized how big the platform is and started to write lyrics from favorite artists and now words I've formulated together," he said. "Words pieced together that made me think deeper and harder, and made me feel less alone."

Since then, he's been plastering the posters across vacant store fronts and other clear areas under the veil of night.

"The darker the better," he says.

It's a hobby that's helped him fill hours of the day when he at times feels most vulnerable, and takes his "mind and time elsewhere."

Some of his works feature lyrics from Chicago rapper Lamon Manuel, a local recording artist Jones "struck a chord" with him when he first saw perform recently.

Manuel's lyrical opening up about relationships and other personal woes made Jones realize he "wasn't alone," he said.

Manuel said he saw one of Jones' posters using his lyrics, specifically with a picture of Barney Gumble splashed across the front.

He said he'd recently met Jones and knew the artist was planning to use his lyrics in his project but was flattered once seeing it in person.

Now, by expressing himself through his art, Jones said he hopes he can help others who may feel lonely or depressed feel more connected. It's a mutually beneficial feeling, he said.

"When I see people relate or enjoy the pieces, it helps me."

Manuel said he agrees that by mixing "The Simpsons" and darker or deeper lyrics, Jones is bridging the gap between different social groups — a positive byproduct of the project.

"If something moves you it doesn't necessarily matter much where or who it came from," Manuel said. "I think that's something we should be reminded of constantly, in a variety of ways, and his work is doing that."

He says he works two "boring" jobs to support himself and his art, and only a few of his closest friends know he is the artist behind the works.

He knows his works may not last forever, but for him the therapeutic and artistic benefits are worth it.

For what he has gained personally from the project, he says it's been an undertaking he doesn't regret.

"Even though street art is temporary and I could put hours on pieces for them to be taken down or buffed almost immediately there's no bad taste. I'm happy where I dedicated my time."

You can check out his works on Instagram by following @trinidadlou.

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