#interview: Alligator Jesus artist on designing grillz for Beyoncé, Madonna and more

David Tamargo, the artist behind Alligator Jesus grillz, tells David Ho about designing innovative bling for the mouth and his A-list clients 

Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell for you, chances are you’ve seen works by Alligator Jesus. David Tamargo, the man behind the brand, is a Cuban-American jewellery designer and art curator based in Los Angeles. He has designed Alligator Jesus grillz (removable dental jewellery if you need to know) for a truly who’s who list of clients, from Madonnna and Beyoncé to Kanye and Naomi Campbell just to name a few.

Working with everything from meteorites to opals, Tamargo/Alligator Jesus has created some stunning pieces that have been immortalised in photoshoots and on the red carpet. The next time you see your favourite celebrity flash a smile with some bling, know that it’s likely to be his handiwork.

Now in the 852 for ComplexCon Hong Kong, Tamargo tells #legend about his creative journey and fills us in on what to know about grillz.    

So tell us, how did you get into the business of making grillz?

Growing up in Miami Florida, grillz have always been a part of my aesthetic sensibilities. I got my first grillz when I was 11! After a lifelong creative career ranging from live music shows, photography, museum curation, creative direction and intermittent jewellery making, it all somehow led back to my roots and I started focusing on custom grills.

You’ve designed for so many celebrities. Please share with us some of your most memorable experiences!

The Robert Pattinson shoot was a great memory, GQ reached out but didn’t have much experience commissioning grillz. I really got a chance to go fully Alligator Jesus on the design and do something for him that their photographer and global editor loved. It worked great with the ideas they had in their heads and the images have become iconic. Sometimes simplicity is the touch that’s needed to tie together a crazy concept.

What have been some of your favourite designs?

My favourites would be the ones which unintentionally ended up becoming seminal moments in the concept of grillz. Like with Doechii, the blacked out grillz went on to influencing that sort of look for many others. DojaCat came calling after that as well as many others which went on to influence grillz being emulated today by other makers. Even opals previously weren’t seen as viable stones for grillz, but through trial and error I’ve modernized a way in which it can be done and that’s become industry standard.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Honestly, I have no idea. There’s always so much I want to do and want to see. I’ve explored a lot of avenues of art and I think whatever I create now is an amalgamation of refined play and distilled cultural cloud that exists globally.

Last year I travelled to 18 different countries in five continents and experienced a full time integration with Asian culture with trips to Japan nearly every month as well as China and South Korea. My inspirations come from everywhere and across the concepts of deep-time.

What are some of the best materials to work with and why?

Depends on your budget!

Generally, anything a-typical of what we associate with grillz is always exciting! There’s nothing off limits for us as we see grillz as tiny sculptures and not some simple overly replicated jewellery design. In the past we’ve made grillz from meteorites and explored alternatives to naturally sourced materials which is what led us to making our name in the world with Opal Grillz.

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If we were looking to get grillz for ourselves, what are some things we should know?

They’re removable like a necklace or a ring. These are simple objects that hold on like anything else and are a great way to express your individuality, creativity and even wealth. They make a statement that designer goods just can’t compete with by showing off your personal taste and style by creating your own.

Why do you think grillz are here to stay?

Tooth adornment has been present on nearly every continent for thousands of years. Our teeth are the only part of our skeletons we can directly adorn; there’s some primal satisfaction to that which is unique to grillz. They are also a form of fine art and the method of making them is rapidly improving. We’re only in the genesis of what’s possible to adorn ourselves with.

What can we look forward from you at Complex Con Hong Kong?

The opal lab that I partner with will be present as well, so it’ll be a special opportunity to get a more in-depth look into how some of my more challenging pieces have come to exist. Come check us out at Booth B38!

What are you looking forward to getting up to in Hong Kong?

Food: both good and questionable! But also getting to know more locals and creatives from across the world that come to an event like this and beginning a dialogue about what we will contribute to culture.

Finally, what’s next for you?

Looking to expand in Asia and working with more artists and musicians here. More time to consider what’s creatively allowed with that trust that comes with being a household name and definitely making more large scale sculpture. I love the idea that I’m known for doing these tiny objects worn by a single person and soon creating pieces that can be experienced by the masses.

All pics taken from Instagram @alligatorjesus

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