EP10. Jean-Patrick

Jean Patrick with his collection at home

What’s the story behind your moniker “jeeplife”?

My name is Jean-Patrick, but people around me have always called me J-P. My uncle, who spent many years in the army, started calling me “Jeep” because he used to drive military Jeeps. I later learned that “Jeep” originally stood for “General Purpose,” and I loved both the meaning and the history behind it.

It’s short, easy to remember, and recognized all over the world, so it naturally became my nickname. At first, my Instagram account was simply about sharing moments from my everyday life. Over time, it gradually evolved into a KAWS-focused account where I share news, my collection, and my passion for Brian Donnelly’s work.

I have to thank my followers on Instagram because 99% of them are incredibly kind. They always encourage me in my passion. Instagram is also a great way to connect with people who share the same passions (or at least, it used to be…).

Your collection started with Star Wars toys and basketball cards. Do you still collect them? What sparked your passion for collecting at such a young age, and how did it evolve into art?

I started collecting when I was very young. Whenever I become passionate about something, it completely occupies my mind. I’m naturally curious—I always want to understand more, learn more, and share what I discover.

I also spent a lot of my childhood on my own, and because my family moved frequently, I often had to start over in new places. Culture became a refuge for me. I was a real nerd, and I found comfort in science fiction, comic books, and especially Star Wars. Collecting became an extension of that world—a way to hold on to the stories and characters that meant so much to me.

My first collection was basketball cards when I was around ten years old. I loved every part of the hobby: saving every coin to buy a new pack, organizing the cards, the smell of freshly opened packs, the excitement of finding a card I was missing, and negotiating trades with friends in the schoolyard. It wasn’t just about owning the cards—it was about the entire experience. I still have my basketball card collection today. As for Star Wars, I was born in 1984, so I grew up with it. Watching the original films completely blew my mind. I started collecting Star Wars toys around the age of ten, and by the time I was sixteen or seventeen, my entire bedroom had become Star Wars-themed.

Later in life, when other priorities came along, I sold part of the collection, but I still own many pieces. Looking back, I realize that my passion for collecting naturally evolved into collecting art. The excitement of discovering, learning, and completing a collection has always remained the same.

I think my interest started very early. My maternal grandparents lived in a large stone house filled with beautiful antique objects and paintings. My grandparents were poor, but my grandfather had been involved in several wars and traveled to places like Tunisia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. He always brought back objects from his missions. He also loved going to auction houses to buy furniture in bulk for very little money, restore it himself, and sell it to help finance the renovation of his house. He was definitely a hustler.

What made you fall in love with KAWS, and why did he become the centerpiece of your collection?

Back in 2008, I was a huge Kanye West fan. As I mentioned before, whenever I’m interested in something, I want to learn everything about it. At the time, this was before Instagram, and Kanye had a blog where he regularly shared posts about art, design, architecture, fashion, and culture.

I’ve always had a deep curiosity about culture because it constantly inspires and nourishes me. That’s where I first discovered the work of Takashi Murakami, KAWS, and many other artists. KAWS immediately sparked something in me. His art touches on so many worlds that I love: Star Wars, basketball, hip-hop, pop culture, Jordans…

I started by buying one piece, then another. Soon after, I met my wife, and life naturally brought other priorities. We moved from France to Belgium in search of work, and our first years there were very difficult financially. We both come from very modest families, so spending money on vinyl figures was not always a priority.

My wife has always encouraged and supported my passion, and that’s when my collection really began to grow.

Have you ever met KAWS (Brian Donnelly) in person? If so, what did you discuss?

Unfortunately, I’ve never met Brian in person.

Thanks to Instagram, we exchanged a few direct messages, especially during the COVID period, which was already an incredible experience for me. Sometimes he asked me where the pictures I posted came from.One day, he even asked me to send him an Italian magazine featuring his artwork on the cover because, apparently, he didn’t have it in his archives. I really loved that moment.

My dream, of course, is to visit his studio in Brooklyn one day.

How many KAWS pieces do you currently own?

I own around sixty figures, hundreds of books and magazines, hundreds of exhibition flyers, clothing, rugs, cushions, plush toys, and many other collectibles.

If I count every single item individually, the collection is probably close to 1,000 pieces. I think my mindset is still very similar to what it was when I collected basketball cards. I’ve always had this desire to complete sets, so I imagine I’ll keep collecting until I’ve explored as much of the KAWS universe as possible.

Collecting on a limited budget is both exciting and frustrating. Someone once told me, “You have a great collection because you’ve built it over fifteen years of passion. I just swiped my credit card and bought everything at once—there was no fun.” That really stayed with me. To me, collecting is like playing a video game. If you unlock every level, costume, and upgrade on day one with cheat codes, the journey loses its magic.

Your Instagram setup shows a real eye for styling. Where do you get the inspiration for your creative shoots?

Thank you! I genuinely enjoy photographing the pieces I own and highlighting small details that people might otherwise overlook. One of my biggest inspirations is Kyoshi on Instagram. I love his sense of humor, his photography, and, of course, his incredible KAWS collection. You can truly feel his passion through every image he posts.

I also believe that displaying a collection is just as important as building it. I’m constantly inspired by museums, galleries, architecture, retail spaces, interior design, and photography, always looking for better ways to showcase my collection. And I think that my Grandparents house had a realy impact on the young me!

The only real limitation is money. As I mentioned earlier, both my wife and I come from very modest backgrounds. We’ve never had financial help, so everything we’ve built has come through hard work. Five years ago, our biggest priority was buying a house, and we’ve spent years renovating it ourselves, which naturally slowed down my collecting. We also love traveling, so we’re always balancing our passions and making choices.

Aside from KAWS, are there other artists you are actively collecting?

I love art in general and admire many artists. Our collection also includes works by Cleon Peterson, D*Face, Takashi Murakami, Parra, Kenny Scharf, and several others. The only real limit is my wallet. Otherwise, I’d probably need an entire warehouse to store all the art I’d love to own and collectibles, like NIGO! 

What would you consider the “crown jewel” or most significant acquisition in your collection?

NIGO once said in an interview, “Even the small piece is important,” and I completely agree with that philosophy.

Books and magazines hold a very special place in my collection. I’ve spent years hunting down rare publications. One of my favorite pieces is a book that was only given to VIP guests—it took me years to find. I also own several rare promotional items that collectors rarely get to see. One item that means a lot to me is a book personally signed and dedicated to me. Among the figures, I’m especially proud to own Astroboy and Pinocchio, which are both very special pieces.

What is your ultimate goal for your collection? Do you have a dream house concept for displaying it all?

As far as figures are concerned, I’d love to add Darth Vader to complete my Star Wars set, since I already own Boba Fett and Stormtrooper. I’d also love to own a Hajime Sorayama Companion one day.

Ironically, when I first met my wife, I had the opportunity to buy one for around €1,000. At the time, we were struggling financially, so I couldn’t justify the purchase. Today it’s worth around €15,000, and of course, I sometimes regret letting that opportunity pass.

The ultimate dream would be to own an original KAWS painting or one of his monumental sculptures. Realistically, I’d probably need to win the lottery—but dreaming has always been part of being a collector.

When I bought my very first KAWS piece, if someone had told me that my collection would one day become this large, I would never have believed them.

As for displaying everything, my dream would be to create a dedicated room that combines the atmosphere of a museum with the warmth and comfort of a living room. I’d love to improve the lighting, install museum-quality display cases with UV-protective glass, and create a space where every piece can truly be appreciated.

My ultimate goal would simply be to live my passion more freely. There is a real dichotomy within me—two personalities that are constantly fighting each other: passion and reason. I often feel guilty about spending money on figurines. Sometimes I even feel too childish. I thought that after buying our house this feeling would disappear, but instead it has grown even stronger.

When you come from a family that struggled financially their entire life, you carry this guilt whenever you spend money on your passions. It’s almost a daily battle in my mind between selling everything and continuing to grow my collection.

More than anything, I just want to find peace of mind.