Since the 1990s, Sam Flores has been a constant presence in the creative pulse of San Francisco. His imagery, populated by hybrid figures, spiritual bonds between humans and animals, and emotionally charged atmospheres, was shaped within the same ecosystem that gave rise to much of the city’s underground culture. From Upper Playground to global collaborations with brands like Nike and Adidas, his path has always been defined by a deeply personal drive for exploration.
That unmistakable visual language finds a new point of expansion in his artist residency with Dirtybird, just as the label celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over the course of a full year, Flores translated sound into image, listening track by track, artist by artist, to build a visual universe that speaks directly to the rhythm, energy, and playful spirit that define the label. The result is a body of work that functions as a sensory extension of the music itself.
We sat down with Sam Flores to talk about his creative process throughout this year-long residency, the freedom he found in working directly with music, and more.
This year, you created an entire series of original works for Dirtybird. How would you summarise the visual essence you wanted to capture for their 20th anniversary?
It was a great experience and opportunity to design the looks and vibes for the 20th anniversary and be the resident artist for Dirt Bird. Getting to listen to each artist and take their vision of the audio and transform it into my vision of a design that will illustrate that new piece/track was really exciting. It gives a different energy, having a first-hand relationship with the music and beats that the art depicts.
Many of your recent pieces, including T-shirts and cover artwork, combine human, animal, and fantastical elements. How did this distinctive visual language emerge, and what role does it play in your current narrative?
I’ve been illustrating the relationship between humans and animals, whether it be a spirit or an actual animal that represents a connection to a mood, a thought, or a relation to one’s environment. They will constantly have a place in my art and will continue to grow and be part of my narrative.
Dirtybird has always carried a playful, disruptive spirit. What challenges or opportunities did you find in translating that musical DNA into imagery?
It was a fun opportunity to listen to each artist and their new tracks for inspiration and energy that inspired this new series of work for the 20th anniversary of Dirtybird.
Your new illustrations show strong Latin and Asian influences. How do these roots speak to each other within your aesthetic?
I travelled a lot around the world picking up styles and inspiration that have definitely influenced my art.
The images you created for the merch carry a very cinematic, emotional energy. Did you envision these pieces as standalone stories or as part of a broader visual universe?
I envisioned them as a strong image/design that would exclusively embody the vibe and unique opportunity it will be to experience the SFMOMA garden party.
You come from a background that includes Upper Playground, Nike, and Adidas. How does this artist residency differ from your previous collaborations?
I had a lot more freedom to do what I wanted than working with Nike or Adidas. And I had the inspiration from each artist and track I was destined for, so the art would be inspired by each track and title.
You performed live interventions at events such as the Garden of Eden Party and Rooftop Radio at SFMOMA. How do the audience and the energy of the moment influence your creative process?
It’s more of a raw, spontaneous energy, where you vibe with the music and people, but also it’s live, so things constantly move and change on the fly, so it’s a very different kind of live animal.
Dirtybird is expanding its role as a curator of visual art. How do you view this evolution, and what opportunities does it open for artists who usually work outside traditional circuits?
I think it’s great; it gives more of a visual world to experience along with the audio and music. It gives a platform for all types of artists to coincide and feed off each other’s emotions and inspiration.
Upon viewing your latest designs, I notice that they blend rebellion, fantasy, and delicacy. What emotions or ideas do you hope people experience when they wear or see these pieces?
I used to wear a design on my shirt to represent my style vibe or voice. As long as people still want to do that with my work, every emotion they get from it, I’m happy.
After this year-long residency, what have you learned about your own art, and where do you see your style evolving in the next few years?
I’ve learned that it has no boundaries or limitations, that with the new inspiration of music and sound, it can grow and expand and mould into different things, and I’m excited to see where it goes. My style will constantly be changing, but what I hope to capture always with my art is a sense of wonder, a kind of childlike sense of excitement.
Follow Sam Flores on Instagram via @samagram12
