Eddie Colla began his artistic career as a photographer, working first for the New York Times and later countless magazines, record labels and ad agencies. 15 years later he has morphed into one who counters the all-pervasive nature of commercialism in public spaces.

Since 2005, his wheatpastes and stencils can be found throughout public spaces in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Miami. Eddie's work first began to garner national recognition when his street art began incorporating images of Barack Obama throughout the 2008 Presidential election.

Of his work Eddie states, “Some people view what I do as vandalism. I assume that their objection is that I alter the landscape without permission. Advertising perpetually alters our environment without the permission of its inhabitants. The only difference is that advertisers pay for the privilege to do so and I don’t. So if you’re going to call me anything, it is more accurate to call me a thief.”

About how this work was created:
"I came to Detroit to sign the 'Ambition' etched metal plates I released last month. The plates were so heavy that it was cheaper for me to go to Detroit to sign them than it was to ship them to me. I had no plans of producing any work in Detroit, Detroit can be an inspiring place though because it endures. The image is part of an ongoing series of work i've been doing for years around this character. The text on the pieces translate as 'I have a name but it doesn't matter'. The character and the story all take place in Hong Kong. The image revolves around find one's place in the world, survival and the rejection of fate."