about the artist
Taropop is the creative studio founded by multidisciplinary married artists Kong WeePang and Jay Crum. The pair met in a figure-drawing class while studying art and design, and have since collaborated on public art, branding, fine art, and illustration under the shared pseudonym Taropop.
Origins & Education
Originally from New Orleans, Jay Crum earned his BFA in printmaking around 2005, went on to receive his MFA from Memphis College of Art in 2012, and works as a designer, illustrator, and fine artist.
Artistic Themes
Crum creates drawings and illustrations that emphasize structure, layered shapes, and playful logic. His work blends fine art techniques with design thinking, often exploring the interaction between space, color, and pattern. He works fluidly between analog and digital tools, adapting his style to a range of formats including packaging, murals, apparel, and environmental graphics.
Fine Art & Installations
Crum has designed over 50 large-scale murals for Tru by Hilton locations across the United States, building a cohesive and recognizable brand presence through regionally inspired artwork. His public art portfolio also includes a mural for Google Headquarters in Mountain View, California. He brings a graphic sensibility to large-scale work, often referencing local architecture, symbols, and stories. Additional projects include environmental graphics for Memphis civic spaces and community installations. His mural for a city recycling initiative in the Cooper Young neighborhood is one example of how he applies bold, accessible artwork to everyday infrastructure.
