David Mann

The biker world's artist-in-residence

It’s just fucking cool, isn’t it?

We've never ridden a Harley, had a studded belt with a cobra on it or worn a sleeveless denim jacket with a grinning skull painted on the back - but we want some for our flat, NOW!

In the words of a long-haired anthropologist type studying biker culture in New Zealand: "Mann’s paintings set ‘outlaw’ Harley chopper motorcycles against surreal backgrounds, and distorted skylines, colourful images that celebrated the chopper motorcycle and the freedom of the open road. Many of his images captured the ‘Easyrider’ ethos – speed, the open road, long flowing hair – freedom." [Source: Wikipedia]

Mann began his passion for art at a young age, his talents first adorning custom cars then later bikes when his head was turned by the chopper lifestyle.

His paintings became so legendary in biker culture that choppers have been built specifically based on the bikes first imagined in David Mann paintings, as opposed to the other way around.

You can learn more about David Mann here.

And buy some original artwork from his website here.

Mann died a day after his 64th birthday. Just before his death a custom motorcycle was commissioned in his honor from Orange County Choppers, to be featured in an episode of the reality television series American Chopper.

The coolest chopper art bloke ever.  RIP.