Innovation isn’t only a choice—it’s how we survive, speak, and shape culture.
In this powerful and vulnerable talk, multidisciplinary artist Magnus Juliano reframes innovation not as trend or technology, but as necessity. From growing up on Columbus’s East Side to navigating art, fashion, technology, and activism, Magnus traces how creativity became a tool for survival, cultural expression, and resistance. Through work that merges mixed media, Black hair culture, fashion, and social commentary, through moments of both viral success and public backlash, Magnus reminds us that innovation lives in the unexplored. It is dangerous, transformative, and essential. When we innovate with purpose, we don’t just adapt, we thrive.
About the speaker
Magnus Juliano (He/Him) is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary artist, designer, and creative director. Largely self-taught, his practice spans graphic design, photography, mixed media, fashion, and accessory design.
He first gained global attention in 2019 when his Louis Vuitton inspired hair accessory concept went viral, earning features in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Since then, Magnus’s innovative approach blending cultural commentary with bold visual storytelling has become a signature of his work.
In 2022, he presented A Journey to Motherland: Black Panther Gift Shop at the Cincinnati Art Museum, a multimedia installation exploring identity, history, and resistance through design, animation, and sculpture. The work sparked national dialogue and was covered by outlets like Hyperallergic and Desus & Mero.
Magnus continues to push creative boundaries and serve his community as a Navigator for the Greater Columbus Arts Council, helping connect local artists and resources while inspiring conversation across race, culture, and the future.
Follow Magnus on socials:
Instagram: @magnusjuliano
TikTok: @magnusjuliano
Favorite quotes from this talk
Hosted by
Seventh Son Brewing Co.
1101 N 4th Street
Columbus, OH United States 43201
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