CJ aka Monocle Sloth: From builder to artist
CJ’s path into the creative industry is a helpful reminder that it’s not always as simple as going from A to B. In this conversation we talk about how creating art helped him through experiences of losing his sight and being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
One of the most human conversations to date!
What’s the most straightforward way to explain who you are and what you do?
My name is CJ, otherwise known as Monocle Sloth. I am an artist from South London. After a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), it’s made me realise how precious life is.
What assumptions do people make about you? How right are they?
So, whenever I tell people I do art, they look quite surprised!
I feel like I don't necessarily look like an "artist" but what does a true artist really look like?!? ANYONE?!
What’s your background to get you to where you are today?
Like everyone I started art as a young git.
I went back and forth with art for most of my life until high school where I my teacher wanted me to do ‘it’ in a ‘certain way’, did I listen? No! Being honest, that experience put me off creating for a couple years.
I then became a builder while studying graphic design for 3 years. During this time my body was giving up, slowly. I went blind in one of my eyes in 2017, and thought nothing of it. I then went to Canada in 2019, was a pot washer and went blind in both eyes for 25 minutes. Then in 2020, I noticed that I kept collapsing on nights out... When 2021 came around I had left my building job, joined a hospital porter.
The Universe works in mysterious ways.
I went into work, barely able to push my car pedals, unable to walk and my boss told me to “SIT TF DOWN!” I then went to the hospital and was told to go home..
Being unable to walk upstairs, doctors it is. STRAIGHT away I was told to go to St. Georges hospital. There, I was sent home, went back the next day and was on steroids infusion for 5 days. This is when my art came in to help me through everything (Plus my Mum). fast forward, failed treatments, constant upper body tremors, BURNING legs like lava 24/7 and a plethora of other complications, I was offered a stem cell transplant... YES!
Tunnel vision on, I went completely guns ablazing. Now I speak to you being normal(ish) and it is a BLESSING to simply exist. ART saved me and helped me understand what I was going through.
What excites you most about what you do?
What excites me most about what I do, is when I get to collaborate with people, teach people and do workshops with people! Connection is key in life and art is the best way for me to connect with people.
Monocle Sloth with his art for a Boots collaboration, 2025.
Any tips for aspiring artists?
Yes, go through something that changes the way you see life. It helps!
A niché question but an important one...How aware are you about accessibility?
I think I am aware of accessibility as I have been with a lot of disabled artists from all walks of life.
It has shown me how key it is to have art as a foundation for life as it makes you more able to understand it.
And finally, What's the plan for you? Where you heading?
Hmm, I am not too sure, so kind of anxious but not really. Life takes you in mysterious paths and twists you inside out, turns you back to front, 360's you.
At the end of the day, if you just keep going, you will be okay.
Links: Keep up to date with CJ, Monocle Sloth
Instagram - instagram.com/monocle_sloth_media
TikTok - tiktok.com/@monoclesloth