Illustration: Street gangs, cool guys, greedy pigs and jazz – step into the world of Gaurab Thakali

Stumbling across Gaurab’s work is like when someone brings their cool, good looking cousin to a party full of people you see all the time; the whole room goes “Well, hello-o!” Gaurab is still studying (yes, still studying) illustration at Camberwell University. His naive, unique-paletted work is inspired by the lost heroes of jazz, street fights, and the kind of safe but scrappy, inner-city atmosphere prevalent in Hey, Arnold!. Gaurab’s portfolio is one of the most unique I’ve seen in ages, so considering he hasn’t even graduated yet, we’re keeping a very firm eye on him indeed.