SAIC Alum's Illustrations Star In Key and Peele’s New Movie

SAIC alum Leigh Cox (BFA 2006) says that determination to create personal work led to success. Most notable is her work’s role in the new film, Keanu. Written by and starring comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, the movie uses Cox’s illustrations throughout the film. Key and Peele took notice of her work when they sought out an artist specializing in hip-hop illustrations. “It was so rewarding, and a great reminder that it’s really important to make time for ‘this is for me’ work because it pays off in the long run,” she told Paste. “Not to be a total cheeseball, but it was a very ‘you are on the right path’ Oprah-style moment.”

The instinctual, interdisciplinary coursework at SAIC shines through her current work. “I gravitate towards hip-hop artists because it’s what I’m listening to 80 percent of the time while I work, and you would be hard-pressed to find better reference: from clothes, to hair, to styling, these people are ridiculously fun to draw,” said Cox.

For more information about Cox’s illustrations, visit her website.