Last Thursday (Dec. 8) saw the launch of BACARDÍ x The Dean Collection No Commission in London, a one-of-a-kind art fair the rum brand and its Global Chief Creative for Culture, Swizz Beatz, have put together to showcase artists from across the spectrum of visual art. It's also a unique opportunity for those artists to sell their work and keep 100% of the money made. So far the show has landed in Miami and Swizz's hometown, the Bronx. Today it hits London and promises to feature work from artists from the U.S., Spain, Morocco, France and beyond. This isn't just a one-off; BACARDÍ have long been supportive of a range of art from live music to painting. This year alone has seen them team up with digital artist Kenzo Digital for a major installation Halloween weekend and Major Lazer for a block party in Jamaica.

As you might expect from that, the night's proceedings, which also saw performances from Emeli ​Sandé and Blood Orange, go beyond simply being an art fair. There's a chance for artists to put themselves out there in the international art world, to meet other artists and to support and engage with artists and art they may not otherwise be exposed to. This isn't just about selling art, it's about bringing together the worlds of art and music. It's also about the juxtaposition of street and fine art, putting them both on the same platform, and to break down any misconception that one is somehow better than the other.

One artist featured by No Commission is UK-based Spanish artist Ricardo Cavolo. You may not recognise his name, but you now his work, in particular the artwork he created for Kaytranada's debut album 99.9%. His style is often labeled as 'Naïf', a term originally applied to self-taught artist Henry Rousseau—whose work has earned the admiration of greats like Picasso and Matisse. The term has since come to describe anyone who hasn't received formal training, though often refers to the unusual and striking use of perspective to affect the piece's composition and depth. However, the term can have a slightly dismissive edge and, when talking to Cavolo, it became clear his art has long since broken out of those constraints. Though his work still plays around with depth and perspective, with each new work Cavolo's style incorporates more and more outside influence from illustration and street art to fashion design and fine art. 

As Cavolo's work gains more and more exposure through high profile projects and celebrity fans, we spoke to him about his impressive achievements in the art world, his instantly recognisable style, and coming together with BACARDÍ and The Dean Collection for No Commission.