Meet Robert Cunningham | Founder, Creative Director, and Photographer for Art For Goons.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robert Cunningham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robert, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I treat everyone like family. Always. It doesn’t cost me a thing. The bulk of the gigs I get are from people who gravitate toward my personality. Of course, I have the skill, but it’s the heart behind it that keeps people coming back for more.

I take everyone’s picture as if it’s going into their family album, and it’ll be something they can show their kids or look at years later when all we have left are the memories captured in pictures.

It’s essential that people feel the love in my art. If there’s no love, there’s no art for me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The people around me tremendously inspire my art. Black and Brown people living life and always striving to be something more than what the world tries to write them off as. I consider these people “Goons”, a word/label used to tear us down, but I am doing my best to change the negative connotation of the word through showcasing the stories of my friends.

I encourage these same people and many more to go outside, touch some grass, be mindful of the beauty that life has to offer, and, of course, use art to cope with the troubles that come with it all. As appreciators and/or creators, art can save us all. I think my art can save us, or at least inspire the great mind that will do so, hence the “For Goons” in “Art For Goons.”

I’m most proud of being an excellent representation for my people. I bring people together, showing them their worth and underlying beauty to the best of my ability. Most of all, I make people smile and appreciate themselves more, all through my camera and other art forms.

I feel that my art and I are great connectors within my community, as last year we hosted a BBQ that brought people from all over the city together for a few hours, and we all just enjoyed the day—another proud moment.

I achieved my professional goals by consistently prioritizing art. People can always tell when you’re genuine, and it’s always been about the art, and the money second for me. I approach people in the same way of expressing how much I would love to capture the moments we are living in. I always follow my heart, it may not always be easy, but not everything worth it is supposed to be.

When things get hard, I stick to my guns and listen to my heart. That’s been the biggest lesson for me. “Keep your heart three stacks”, a classic quote by Andrè 3000 in the conversation of love, but still great advice for every encounter in life. Even when things don’t go as planned, it’s essential that you keep your heart and follow through on it all.

Art For Goons has seen nothing but the fruits of labor throughout the five years of its run. All in all, I want people to follow their heart, love and appreciate art, and be more than what the world thinks you can be.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely show them my favorite film photography store and safe place in Long Beach, called Relics, and probably just nerd out about cameras and film photography for a bit. While I’m still in the area, I would also bring them to The Window, a burger spot in Long Beach as well.

Once back on my side of town, I’d have to show them a bit of Compton and Gardena. If they’re hungry, we’ll probably get a burger from Hawkins House of Burgers in Watts or Steven’s Burger in Gardena. Both have EXCELLENT FOOD.

If we’re talking about hanging out, I can think of a few places, really. One would be the Enclave in Torrance; it’s such a relaxing place to be and catch up, and it has several food options too. My favorite spot there is a coffee shop called “Nook”, which is probably my favorite coffee shop in Torrance. Another one is Market Street in Inglewood, where there’s “Sip and Sonder”, “Hilltop” (shout-out to Issa Rae), and “The Awakening,” all excellent hangout and catch-up spots.

I also love a few parks in all these cities mentioned, and would like to have a paint sesh outside if they’re down with it, for real.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The list is so long lol:
My Mom, Kenyetta
Kyra
Bam
Austin
Jonathan
DJ
Malik
Hailey
Javi
Matt
Madison
Kirra
Sierra
Kailee (aka DJ Vixen)
Jaida (CEO of Black Beauty Near You)
Jaylan
Cat
Tremaine
Again, the list keeps going.

Outside of my mom, these are a few of the people I would consider my chosen family. They always believed in me, in the dream, the work ethic, and of course, my art. I can pick up the phone, and they’d be here yesterday. They treat Art For Goons like their nephew, and I love that.

Website: https://artforgoons.org

Instagram: @artforgoons // @supremekairob

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-keith-cunningham/

Twitter: @Supremekairob

Image Credits
Personal Photo shot by Daniel Hernandez (@danielh707_ on Instagram)

Additional Photos all shot by myself (@artforgoons//@supremekairob)