Street Artist “MiMo” claims to be creative force behind the ALEC Monopoly art machine
Editorial September 8, 2015 Badir McCleary 3

Do you believe in ghosts? I’m talking about the folks in our culture who “collaborate” in creating some of the largest art and entertainment brands known in the world today. On the heels of the Meek Mill and Drake ghostwriting feud, I was introduced to another quarrel, this time in the contemporary art world, between well-known street artist ALEC Monopoly and illustrator Mike Mozart.
While interviewing both parties and hearing convincing arguments from both sides, I noticed a couple of keywords that seemed to come up very often and wanted to distinguish the difference between them. These words are “Collaborate” and “Work For Hire”. Collaborate, is defined as “working jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something” and Work for Hire is explained as “work created on behalf of a client where all parties agree in writing to the Work For Hire designation“. Keep these two words in mind as you read this story.
ALEC Monopoly has created one of the most globally recognizable art brands today. By incorporating his personality with the face of “Mr Monopoly”, a character created by Dan Fox and made famous by the “Parker Brothers” brand, ALEC has managed to tackle current events and convey messages through paint that has collectors salivating about owning a piece of his work. As a “Celebrity artist”, ALEC polarizes his fans with his persona of opulent living, countless high-profile clients, and his signature top hat and face mask concealing his identity.
Mike Mozart, An illustrator for over 30 years, specializes in creating some of the most recognizable kid characters for many corporations. Has has been published in over 100 kids books and was also one of the first live YouTube broadcasters from “Occupy Wall Street” rallies in New York City. Mike gained prominence through his JeepersMedia brand and his channel titled “TheToyChannel”, but not too many folks (at least those I have spoken with) have ever heard of the artist “MiMo” which is Mike’s moniker as a graffiti/street artist.
“I felt this would be a great opportunity for Alec and me, I like the kid. I help out lots of people”, Mozart explains.
To hear Mike’s story, is to hear a tale of deception by an artist and friend he looked to help and support. “I felt this would be a great opportunity for Alec and me, I like the kid. I help out lots of people”, Mozart explains. But, to hear ALEC’s side of the story, it was all business. “Mike Mozart was never a “mentor” or “collaborator” as he claims, but merely a Freelance Illustrator who created works for hire and was compensated for these services.” says Avery Andon (ALEC Monopoly’s manager).
“It is important to note that Alec Monopoly began incorporating the Monopoly Man character into his work in 2008. By the time he met Mike Mozart several years later, he had already held a sold out solo exhibition in NYC, been arrested for doing illegal graffiti and placed his iconic “ALEC” logo and Monopoly Man characters on walls around the world.” – Avery Andon (ALEC Monopoly’s Manager)
Mozart remembers the day he met ALEC at a video production studio in Beverly Hills. He had no idea that ALEC would be there, and at that point in time, had never heard of the then emerging street artist. He went on to share some of his drawings with ALEC and says he (ALEC) was very enamored with him. “He was very excited to meet me, he even bought some art/drawing supplies from me.” Mozart adds, acknowledging that ALEC was working on art during this visit. This encounter lead to what is believed to be a working relationship and friendship of almost 4 years between the two artists in which Mozart states he even inspired the naming of ALEC’s dog, “Bruisa”, indicating how close the two became as friends.
What gets tricky is whether further business between the artists was understood by both parties as a “collaboration” or “work for hire”.
“Mike clearly presented himself as a professional Illustrator during our entire relationship with him and we were paying him under that pretense.” – Avery Andon (ALEC Monopoly’s Manager)
Mozart has revealed that he has worked on hundreds on projects in “collaboration” with ALEC Monopoly, varying in theme, and that some of the original drawings given to ALEC in that first meeting helped brand and skyrocket his artist persona. He says, the “Monopoly Man on a Cross”, one of ALEC most notable pieces (pictured below), was among that earlier bunch of drawings given to ALEC. He also sent us a link to a folder containing hundreds of drawings and ideas that were the inspiration for tons of other ALEC Monopoly pieces.
However, ALEC Monopoly’s manager, Avery Andon contends that “Mike has never painted or touched a single one of Alec’s original canvas paintings, nor were his sketches EVER sold as originals to clients. Mike clearly presented himself as a professional Illustrator during our entire relationship with him and we were paying him under that pretense.”
That’s where it seems to get pretty ugly. Mozart informed us that for the first two years of the “collaboration” with ALEC, he was NOT paid for his services, nor did he ever sign any agreements of Work-for-Hire, and was never considered a “Team Member” of the Monopoly camp. Monopoly’s camp says that Mozart was paid for his illustration services and “any claim that he believed he was a “collaborator” or partner in the Alec Monopoly project is also completely false.” Both parties claim to have proof that supports their argument.
“I never said anything bad or negative pertaining to ALEC or tracing or projecting.” adds Mozart.
The Monopoly camp thinks this is Mozart’s attempt at gaining fame and notoriety with his “Smear Campaign” on ALEC Monopoly as they claim they have made multiple attempts to resolve the issue amicably. Instead, they say he started by sending “aggressive and hateful emails” about Alec to galleries they’re associated with and that he “never once vocalized his discontent or requested additional credit or compensation from us throughout the entire period of time that he was working for us”.
Mozart slams this as being untrue noting that he has never said anything to discredit ALEC Monopoly as an artist or brand. “I never said anything bad or negative pertaining to ALEC Monopoly.” adds Mozart. “I have ONLY ever mentioned that we have “collaborated”.
Mozart recently attended the “Forever 21” launch event that ALEC was the featured artist of and is in “collaboration” with for a new line of Monopoly themed clothing, and even posed for a picture with his now nemesis wearing what seems to be a “collaboration” of “MiMo” and ALEC Monopoly.
After that photo, almost every one of Mozart’s posts mentions that he “collaborated” with Monopoly and hints that he is in fact the man behind the creative direction of the artist’s brand.
“Dating back to Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Rubens to Andy Warhol’s famed “Factory” and most recently top-selling artists like Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst, artists have enlisted the help of creative professionals and staff members to help keep up with demand and scalability.” – Avery Andon
ALEC’s camp has never denied any involvement with Mike Mozart but also argue that it was a “good marketing plan” that helped ALEC Monopoly become a household name, not one single image. “Collectors are buying into Alec’s persona, mystique and star power. His unique style and personality, and pension for flair have propelled him into the international spotlight.” states Andon. He also remind readers that “the content in question is the appropriation of characters that neither Mike Mozart nor Alec Monopoly created” stating that public usage of the characters are fair game. They believe that Mike’s campaign will hold no relevance to collectibility or growth of ALEC as an artist.
Mozart believes that once the truth comes out fans will ultimately understand that it was he, not ALEC, that was the “creative force” behind much of the artwork. “I don’t want money, I’m not going to sue. I have a substantial amount of time invested and I have earned that recognition!”
Badir McCleary Editor in Chief
Badir McCleary is an independent consultant. He holds a M.A. in Arts Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art (Los Angeles/London) where he focused on creating art markets and with an undergraduate degree in Internet Computing from Cabrini University focusing on e-commerce and digital trends. Badir enjoys working with artists and consider them crucial to informing his practice.
- “Configuration” at 2018 Scope International Art Fair Miami Beach December 4th – December 9th, 2018 December 2, 2018
- Relational Chemistry: A Introspective of Urban Experience October 12, 2018
- Reality Talks: Episode One – Jane Golden August 16, 2018
- Digitalia: Examining Blackness in a Museum Through Technology July 31, 2018
- Black Bodies, Feminism and Representation. Is the use of the body in art the most effective way to examine social inequities and help to progress the surrounding conversation? January 24, 2018
- Santoro on Street Artist “MiMo” claims to be creative force behind the ALEC Monopoly art machine
- Ferrari Rachels on Street Artist “MiMo” claims to be creative force behind the ALEC Monopoly art machine
- Bob on Street Artist “MiMo” claims to be creative force behind the ALEC Monopoly art machine
- Steve Grody on #TheArtInfluencer – Steve Grody of Graffiti L.A.
Bob
September 8, 2015 #1 AuthorWhat about Connor Tingley?!
Ferrari Rachels
September 9, 2015 #2 AuthorGreat article! ” They’re a lot of “commercial” musical artist’s out there. I would say the same for the Art world, you want to sell , you want to be a trendy brand so you take creative direction from a Ghost” upgrade the style or sound and your make it your own. (Some artist’s anyway) and then you have your originals if you saw a painting or a drawing, hear their voice you would know exactly who the artist was, # JUSTINBUA #AnniePreece just to name a few talented artist’s. The similar drawings of Mike Mozart and Alec’s paintings are undeniable that Mike Mozart AKA MIMO has something to do with Alec’s creative direction if not the Brand, Does Alec have talent? yes!
Alec has a lot of other great work I’ve seen. Now… whether it was influenced by another ghost ” illustrator time will tell. Does Mike Mozart know how to Draw? yes! Did I know who he was before this article came out No! The recognition, the credit, the shout out” the #HASHTAG. Sounds like Mike Mozart just wants the world to know he was part of building ALEC MONOPOLY’s brand which we have come to be so fascinated with.
” Art to be or not be that is the question” I only made up the art part is this my quote ?
-Ferrari Rachels
Santoro
February 6, 2017 #3 AuthorI doubt he was “the creative force” behind Alex monopoly and if MIMO and Alec never would have met im sure Alec would still be in his position, minus the “cross piece” and a few others. It reminds me of the Jay-Z song lost ones. If anyone Dan Fox is who Alec owes most his fame to