Tempt One, the incredible graffiti artist who inspires you to never give up

Every self-respecting graffiti artist knows this name: Tony Quan, or just Tempt One. In the 1990s, this North American artist of Asian origin was famous for his special letters that combined Chinese runes with modern designs from the United States and Latin America. Many say that his style marked Los Angeles on the graffiti world map. However, in 2003 fate changed its plans. Tony was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which led to complete paralysis of his body. Only his eyes were not affected by the disease.

But Tempt One did not surrender, as did his friends. O awesome.club invites you to discover his work, print it and hang it over his bed to see it every morning.

Such were the works of Tempt One in the 80s and 90s.

After his diagnosis in 2003, friends developed the EyeWriter device especially for him, which later won many awards and was considered one of the most important devices of that year for people with disabilities. With these computerized glasses, the graffiti artist can write and draw using eye movement. Just imagine, it’s like an eye sensor in the air!

As magical as technology is and as faithful as friends are, it’s a huge challenge to be trapped in your own body having to do the most basic things with the support of other people. And this was a message from the artist:

I grew up among working-class people. I always saw how most of these people struggled with the enormous difficulties and inequalities of our society. These are the kind of people I always admired, they didn’t let injustice get in the way of their family or their dreams. In any situation that life presented them with, they rolled up their sleeves and did their part. Whatever it cost them. So, who am I to complain about my problems in front of these truly strong and humble people, who every day get up and keep fighting? Who am I to surrender? No, we can’t say the game is over if it’s still going on just because you wanted it that way. In any situation you have to turn your difficulties into your weapons and use them in a way that helps and inspires others. That’s what I’m doing.

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