Lynn’s own Denilson Gomez, also known as FTS MonKs, is a Lynn English graduate who makes unique, custom clothing and rugs. FTS, meaning “From The Sin,” represents Lynn, the city he grew up in, drawing inspiration from the well-known saying, “Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin, you never come out the way you came in.” MonKs is a nod to a childhood nickname, “mono,” the Spanish word for monkey. While he helps out with his brothers’ remodeling business by day, his true passion is his art. He spends most of his free time creating and working on his craft.
MonK’s artistic journey began in high school, where he discovered his love for painting and drawing. MonKs, who enjoys hands-on work, decided to have some fun and try his hand at creating custom rugs during the pandemic in 2022, a trend that gained popularity on TikTok. Having acquired the necessary materials and honed his skills through extensive practice, MonKs fell in love with the process and has consistently produced custom rugs for clients. He also creates unique, one-of-a-kind rugs featuring popular pop culture figures such as Hello Kitty, Pokémon characters, Snoopy, and Pac-Man, among others.
“Do what you like and make what you like,” MonKs said. “Don’t forget to be yourself. People try to fit in and change who they are, and I don’t think that’s the way. You can just be yourself and whoever rocks with you … they’re gonna rock with you.”
His creativity didn’t end there, as MonKs would soon branch out into the realm of clothing. Through upcycled fashion, MonKs creates one-of-a-kind pieces using techniques like patchwork, airbrushing, and distressing to put on his unique touches. His pieces include hoodies, pants, hats, and bags. MonKs approaches his artistic creations spontaneously, styling each piece to reflect his current mood without any prior planning. He simply acts on ideas he finds appealing.
“I don’t see my clothes as just clothes. I see them as art, wearable art. They’re all different and make you feel some type of way. They make you feel good,” MonKs said.
What began as a hobby — designing clothes purely out of passion — quickly turned into something more for MonKs. The turning point came when Jay Moon, a fellow creative from Lynn, introduced him to his first fashion show, “The Private Show,” which he took part in last year. MonKs recalled the experience fondly, describing the energy and atmosphere of the event as something that deeply inspired him and pushed him further into the world of fashion. Being surrounded by other creatives inspired him to keep being creative himself and push himself more.
“I thought, ‘I like this feeling, and I want to keep feeling like this, so I’m gonna keep doing it,’” MonKs said. “People’s positive energy and support made me realize that I can do something big with this.”
As MonKs continues to roll out new artwork, he’s setting fresh goals and expanding the vision for his brand. Looking ahead, he plans to collaborate with a wider range of creatives and bring his distinct style to new formats — ranging from lighters to skateboards and other everyday items. His aim is to make his art more accessible and integrated into daily culture.
MonKs teased a major collaboration set to debut this September that people should keep their eyes on. MonKs is set to appear at another fashion show tomorrow, this time for “VLUSH FESTIVAL 10.0.” The event will be held at the Lynn Museum & Historical Society from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. VLUSH FEST is an interactive experience designed to spotlight local artists, designers, and models who are committed to evolving and inspiring change within their community.
MonKs’ distinctive one-of-one pieces, including “Bleach Distressed Khaki” pants and an “Airbrush Heart Hoodie,” are available for purchase on his recently launched website, monksark.com. For a broader view of his work, past and present, visit his art Instagram page, @fts.monks, or his personal Instagram, @fts.denilson. MonKs accepts commissions for rugs and clothing, and can be contacted directly through his Instagram accounts or via his website.
“Do what you like doing, and if people have something negative to say about it just don’t pay them no mind,” MonKs said. “As long as you’re doing what you like, that’s all that really matters. If it makes you happy … do it.”
