# Sean Go

Sean Go is a Filipino pop appropriation artist. His work comments on societal themes such as capitalism, perceptions of beauty, and colonialism in the Philippines, often through the use of popular fictional characters.

## Early life and education

Go holds degrees from UC Berkeley, Emory, Columbia, and the Fashion Institute of Technology. He has four master's degrees and three bachelor's degrees. He completed his bachelor's degrees in 2015, and his law and MBA degrees in 2019. His bachelor's degrees are in Business Administration, Economics, and Geography. Go earned a Master's in Real Estate Development from Columbia in 2021 and a Master of Arts in Art Market Studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2022. Go is currently a Master of Art in Fashion student at Parson's School of Design in Paris.
Go has studied film at USC. He is a graduate of the International School of Manila.
Go started a hedge fund, HGR Digital Asset Group, in 2018. Prior to becoming an artist, he worked at Ernst and Young, Techstars, and HSBC.
Go has stated that, coming from a conservative family, art was not a field approved of by his elders. However, the death of a close friend from cancer shifted his perspective on prioritizing what one should in life, even if it means questioning the status quo. Go has spoken about the importance of Asian representation in the arts, as creativity is not often encouraged as a career path in traditional households. Go also hopes to destigmatize anime and cartoon fandom culture.

## Career

Go's work was included in the inaugural MOCAF (Modern and Contemporary Arts Festival) in Manila in 2022, by art agent Derek Flores. His art was also featured in Art Moments Jakarta and Indoseni's "Wave to the Moon" exhibition in 2022.
In April 2023, Go was included as a featured artist at "Agos," an exhibit on environmental conservation in the Philippines, with works that employed the use of recycled materials and paints. The show was held in Power Plant Mall in Rockwell.
In June 2024, Go held a solo show titled "Victory Road" in Secret Fresh Gallery, which had a Pokemon-based theme. “Victory Road” explored themes of triumph, perseverance, and resilience. The exhibit celebrated individual journeys. Go was included in the exhibit titled Pearls of Color in London at the D Contemporary Gallery in September 2024, an event partnering with the Philippine Embassy in the UK.
In January 2025, Go held his first solo show in Osaka, Japan, at YOD Gallery. Go's work referenced street art and animals and monsters in popular culture, including Godzilla and Drogon.
In February 2025, Go held a solo show titled "We Are the Angels in Marble" in PAB Aguiar Branco in St Germain, Paris. Go's work focused on religious iconography.

## Work

Go uses references to toy brands such as Barbie, Playmobil, Thomas the Tank Engine, Lego, and Little Tikes. Go's works often remix pop culture elements, such as brand logos, with characters such as Optimus Prime from Transformers Go also combines characters from different universes; for example, Iron Man and Humpty Dumpty, to create Humpty the Iron Egg. Go also combines Japanese anime characters with Filipino food, including characters from Hello Kitty, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Naruto. Food, particularly cuisine from the Philippines, is also a theme of interest for Go.
From 2020 to 2022, Go was based in New York City while pursuing his master's degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Columbia University, and is now based in Paris, where he is studying at the Parson's School of Design. Due to his background in finance, Go often incorporates capitalist critiques in his art. Go has used reference materials from Marvel, Pokémon, and Star Wars, using a satirical style. Go has cited childhood parables, popular television and movies, and Bible stories as inspiration.
Go's works deal with the themes of the ephemerality of beauty and the interplay between perceptions and reality. Go's work also explores the fetishization of women’s bodies and the dangers of commercial systems that market sexuality and sensuality.
Go uses spray paint, colors, and crayons to communicate a child-like tone in his paintings. In 2024, Go launched art toys with platform Toki.

## Recognition

Go's work has been featured in GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, L'Officiel, Wonderland, and Esquire.
Go's collaboration with PickUP Coffee was released in December 2023, featuring the PickUP Dragon. Go has also collaborated with Manila Hotel and JAG Jeans.

## Personal life

Go has a vestibular balance disorder, which caused balance issues growing up; some commentators suggest that this condition has impacted his art. Go is a fan of martial arts and combat sports. He has trained with UFC and Bellator champion Lyman Good and four-time champion and Olympic boxer Brian Viloria. Go sponsors MMA and boxing fighters, including former WBC Latino Champion Ron "Diablo" Cruz and WBA Intercontinental champion Kareem Hackett.
Go is the founder of the UC Berkeley Club of the Philippines and serves on the executive committee.

## Gallery

* Go's works at MOCAF in 2022
* Go's Playmouse variations at Cat-Eye Creative Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia
* Go's Lucky Mandalorian at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Manila, Philippines
* Go's Pokemon at YOD Gallery Tokyo in 2024