Josh Agle, better known by his pseudonym Shag, is an American artist celebrated for his vibrant, retro-inspired paintings that blend mid-century aesthetics with modern irony and narrative flair. Born in Sierra Madre, California, and raised in Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Utah, Agle eventually returned to California to study at California State University, Long Beach, where he shifted his focus from economics to graphic design. While still in college, he gained early recognition as an illustrator for publications like Time, Forbes, and Entertainment Weekly, and began designing record covers for local bands, including his own, the Swamp Zombies—where he first signed his work as "Shag."
Shag’s breakthrough in the art world came in the mid-1990s when his tiki-themed paintings caught the attention of Billy Shire, founder of the influential La Luz de Jesus Gallery. His first gallery show sold out immediately, launching a successful international career. He has since exhibited widely across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia, and opened SHAG Stores in Palm Springs and Las Vegas to showcase his art and merchandise.
Agle’s commercial projects include work for The Walt Disney Company, the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, and a mural for the Georgia Aquarium. His art often appears in books such as Shag: The Art of Josh Agle and Shag: The Complete Works, and has been featured in museum exhibitions including at the Laguna Art Museum and Riverside Art Museum. Known for his love of tiki culture, vintage design, and playful storytelling, Shag continues to produce work that is both nostalgic and uniquely contemporary. He lives in Orange County, California, with his wife and two children.