‘Collectors’ journeys into the homes of fledgling and seasoned art buyers from across the globe. The ongoing series offers an intimate spotlight on a range of personal collections from hobbyist ephemera to blue-chip artworks — all the while dissecting an individual’s specific taste, at-home curation and purchase trajectory.

Jesse Edwards, widely known as “Punch,” co-founded the 740 Project in 2015 alongside Rahim Wright and Charley Greenberg. This digital agency has seen remarkable growth, evolving from working primarily with independent artists to establishing partnerships with major record labels, unearthing emerging talents, and actively promoting signed artists to the public. The 740 Project’s impressive clientele features some of the most prominent figures in the world of Hip-Hop, including Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, NBA YoungBoy, Lil Baby, and many others.

Punch’s journey into art collecting reflects an unconventional path. Growing up, he had limited exposure to the concept of “creativity.” However, his early artistic inspiration came during his time at a Montessori school when he stumbled upon the book “King Arthur and The Knights Of Justice,” which left a lasting impact through its captivating illustrations. His entrance into the world of art collecting was marked by a chance encounter with a million-dollar painting by Berkley Hendricks, depicting what seemed to be a pimp. This experience ignited Punch’s lifelong quest to connect with art that evoked joy or delved into the morbid and violent.

While Punch maintains a prominent presence in the Hip-Hop industry, he remains resolute in his artistic preferences, unwavering in the face of trends, and openly expressing his current sense of ennui within the art world. He encourages aspiring collectors to start small and gradually expand their collections. In addition to his passion for art, Punch is an eclectic collector of various objects, ranging from Happy Meal toys to anime figurines. He is also deeply involved in major Hip-Hop releases and has co-written an anime project over a span of five years, with the goal of bringing it to market in collaboration with SB Projects, providing a glimpse into his multifaceted world.

Read our interview below to learn more about Punch’s art collection that bridges the worlds between Hip Hop and visual creativity.

“I like things that make me happy, so I tend to lean toward things of that nature.”

Please provide us with a brief introduction about your background, creative upbringing, and what led you into the world of art collecting.

Well, first and foremost, my name is Jesse Edwards, but everyone knows me as Punch or Panchito, but mainly Punch. I actually never even heard the term “creative,” from what I remember until I was an adult. My first glimpse into the world of creativity started when I was around 7. I went to a Montessori school, which, as we know, has an unconventional educational style. I would completely skip math and gravitate toward the book section. I found the “King Arthur and The Knights Of Justice” book and really fell in love with the illustration style. That was my first glimpse into the world of creativity, in short.

What led me to start collecting art was when I saw a painting of what seemingly was a pimp by an artist named Berkley Hendricks once. I said to myself I was going to buy it until I realized it was a million dollars and I couldn’t afford it. I guess I’ve been chasing after that high ever since.

What type of artwork do you gravitate towards, and why that particular genre?

I really like pop African-American art with a bit of humor, preferably. I like things that make me happy, so I tend to lean toward things of that nature. Either that or morbidly depressing and violent art. I want to dedicate an entire room to that style once I get more works like that.

What was the first item that you acquired that kickstarted your collection, and why did you choose that piece?

The first item I purchased was a commissioned piece given to me by an ex-girlfriend. It was a painting of these teenage Blood kids hanging in a parking lot. The significance to it, though, was that I remember looking at that picture online when the internet first kicked off. I would just stare at it and say, “that’s who I want to be.” That was 27 years ago.

“Every part of the house lends to a different part of my personality”

What was the most difficult piece to acquire and why? Any interesting stories behind some of the pieces you purchased?

I haven’t had many problems buying art so far, but I’ve lost pieces to a lot of celebrities.

How do you approach presenting works in your home versus placing pieces in storage?

I switch it up depending on whichever mood I’m in. If I’ve been in a joyful mood, I’ll rotate my more vibrant pieces. And then sometimes I like art that’s dark and plain if I’ve been more in deep thought. It all depends.

Describe the curation of art in your home and why you chose to place them where they are.

I want each room to have its own aesthetic. The more child-leaning stuff I put in my daughter’s room. The more dark and graphic art I put in the guest room. That’s where I go to read, play chess, and sit in deep thought. So yeah, every part of the house lends to a different part of my personality.

“I have zero interest in acquiring art from artists I don’t think are cool.”

Do you have a certain criteria when it comes to acquiring work? Do you follow the artist’s trajectory and market?

My main thing is: Do I think the artist is interesting? I look at the artist as a work of art. I have zero interest in acquiring art from artists I don’t think are cool. The whole point of buying an artist’s work from me as a collector is to give me a window into their life.

How do you source artworks that you’re interested in? Do you engage in studio visits, attend fairs, etc.?

I attend affairs and things of that nature, but it’s mainly off word of mouth. It’s weird; I actually don’t like gallery openings and things like that for the most part. I like to stumble on things from word of mouth from trusted people I respect in the field.

What are your thoughts on the state of contemporary art today? Any current trends you are noticing/forecasting?

I think it’s cool, I’m bored currently. In terms of trends, it seems like everyone is jacking the Japanese art style.

“Don’t let the vast landscape of the art world intimidate you.”

What advice would you give to budding art collectors?

I would say, don’t let the vast landscape of the art world intimidate you. Start small and gradually work your way up like I’m currently doing.

What works or artists do you currently have on your radar?

Yoshitomo Nara, Stickymonger, Reginald O’Neal, whoever did the art on the new Candyman, Javier Calleja, David Laggette. Too many to name, I do a lot of window shopping, haha.

How many pieces in total do you have in your collection? What is the price range for these works?

I’ve actually never counted, but I’d say around 20-30. Price I’d rather not say.

“That’s really the core of the problem. I’ve been collecting my whole life.”

How do you sustain the lifestyle of art collecting?

I just watch my guy Easy Otabor. That’s the blueprint right there in general, but specifically for an aspiring participant in the art world like myself.

Apart from collecting art, do you collect any other objects?

Tuh. Do I!!!! That’s really the core of the problem. I’ve been collecting my whole life. Anything. Happy Meal toys, basketball cards, anime figurines. ANYTHING.

What projects are you currently working on?

We pretty much work on any major release you see in Hip-Hop (for the most part). So I’ll just say that as a blanket statement. Outside of that, I’ve been working on this anime I co-wrote and have been developing for the last 5 years. We partnered with SB Projects on getting that to market, so hopefully we can land a home for it. It’s fire as hell, you’d like it.

Wow, I just realized this is the first interview I’ve ever done where I didn’t talk about what I do. I love that.