Adam Vargas — known to the world as Atomik — is a born-and-raised Miami artist whose roots run as deep as the city's concrete. He started drawing in first grade, graduated from tagging middle school hallways to climbing rooftops, and eventually found his footing in Miami's emerging graffiti scene under the tag name APV before landing on Atomik at age 17. He holds a degree in graphic design and attended Southwood Middle School's art magnet program, though his street style is entirely self-taught. He went on to join the Miami Style Gods (MSG), one of the city's most respected graffiti crews, and built a reputation as a serious all-city artist — tagging everything from Wynwood walls to freight cars to sailboats along the Intracoastal — years before the art world ever caught up to him.

The demolition of the Orange Bowl in 2008 gave birth to the character that would define his legacy. Created as a tribute to Obie, the beloved Orange Bowl mascot, the smiling citrus figure evolved into its own distinct identity after a cease-and-desist from the Orange Bowl Committee pushed Atomik to push the design further — into the loose, expressive graffiti style the world now recognizes instantly. That unmistakable orange has since traveled the globe, bringing a piece of Miami to Chile, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, Australia, Korea, and Thailand. Back home, his practice has expanded to include commissioned murals, neon signs, life-sized sculptures, and collectible toys — but the orange remains. As much a symbol of Miami as palm trees or neon lights, Atomik's work is the rare kind that belongs equally to the streets and to art history.