Alec Monopoly grew up in New York and moved to
Los Angeles in 2006. He found working there was easier because of the many
billboards in the city and because of the more exclusive nature of New York City's art scene. He is of
Armenian descent. Monopoly is best known for his
tuxedoed and
top-hatted graffiti characterization of
Monopoly Man, an idea originally inspired by the stockbroker
Bernie Madoff. In November 2010 he had his first solo gallery show in New York City. In December 2010, he took part in an exhibition at the
Mondrian Hotel as part of
Art Basel Miami Beach. In 2021, Monopoly collaborated with the media company
Barstool Sports to sell exclusive merchandise in an effort to raise money for the Barstool Fund which is raising money for small businesses as a part of a
COVID-19 relief effort. Since the late 2010s, Monopoly has been represented by Eden House of Art, an international contemporary art gallery that exhibits modern, pop, and street art internationally. In July 2021, Alec Monopoly collaborated with
Jacob & Co. to create the
Astronomia Alec Monopoly watch, a $600,000 limited-edition timepiece with only nine pieces produced. The watch features hand-painted miniatures of Monopoly's iconic characters, like “The Monopoly Man,” set within the
Astronomia’s intricate four-arm movement and sapphire crystal case. This marked Monopoly’s first partnership with Jacob & Co., blending his vibrant street art with luxury watchmaking. In November 2024, Alec Monopoly collaborated with
Jake Paul for a high-profile boxing match against
Mike Tyson, streamed on
Netflix. Monopoly’s artwork, featuring his signature “Mr. Monopoly” character holding a bag of cash, was prominently displayed on Paul's boxing shorts, part of an outfit reported to be one of the most expensive in sports history.
Alec Monopoly presented “Flying to a Happy Place,” an immersive exhibition spanning multiple locations, featuring large-scale installations and life-size jet sculptures during Art Basel Miami 2025. ==Filmography==