Big Happy
Big Happy (Robert Garcia, III) was born and raised in a working-class Chicano community in Merced, California. His earliest glimpses of art came through the inked letters his uncles sent home from San Quentin Penitentiary—hand-drawn images he’d trace and study—and the graffiti that bloomed across the neighborhood walls. From a young age, he became consumed by a need to create and collect, letting the weight of his surroundings and the richness of his culture shape his expression. With no formal training, he looked to the streets, to sound, to memory. Art became a language, a way to make sense of the world around him. That hunger—to dig deeper, to keep learning, to give shape to feeling—set him on a lifelong path through art and music. Alongside his art, he is a Senior Graphic Designer at Apple, where precision and design further sharpen his sense of form while also carrying a global presence as a world-renowned record collector and DJ – through every medium he touches he brings a depth of art, design, and music, weaving them into a singular visual language that is unmistakably his.
project overview
La Pepino Series II is a testament to the seamless fusion of design, materiality, and storytelling. This chaise, with its sculptural plywood base and lush green velvet upholstery, embodies a balance between structure and softness—an interplay of bold form and inviting comfort.
Concept & Execution
Designed as an extension of the La Pepino series, this piece redefines modern elegance while maintaining a tactile warmth.
The use of plywood introduces a raw, architectural integrity, contrasting beautifully with the rich, deep green velvet that evokes a sense of luxury and organic connection.
Captured through the lens of Ruben Ortiz, the chaise finds its perfect setting in the home of Robbie Whitehead (2024). The photography, masterfully executed by Coke Bartrina, elevates the narrative, highlighting the way light, space, and texture interact to bring the piece to life.
Art Direction & Visual designs
The chosen setting enhances its presence, allowing viewers to experience the piece in a lived-in, authentic way. Through careful framing, lighting, and styling, the final visuals encapsulate the harmony between craftsmanship and contemporary design.
As the Art Director and Visual Designer, my approach was to ensure that the chaise was not just presented as a piece of furniture but as a character within its environment.
Conclusion
La Pepino Series II is more than just a chaise—it’s an artistic statement.
This project reflects my dedication to curating immersive visual experiences where design and storytelling merge effortlessly.
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Jason Jägel
Jason Jägel is a San Francisco-based artist whose work uses storytelling to conjure fictional worlds where anything can happen at any time, like everyday life. His work is in many collections including the Museum of Modern Art - New York, Hammer Museum - Los Angeles, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, among many others. His 2019 public commission, The Author & Her Story, is a 13x34-foot ceramic tile mosaic at San Francisco International Airport. “I want to create a place with its own inner life and see what happens.”
