Five questions for five flicks 

Featured artist - DAYS ONE

Instagram@days_one_dca

DAYS ONE is a graffiti writer from Sydney. He has been painting since 88 and rocks some of the freshest styles Sydney has seen. From panels and tracksides back in the day until now where he makes a living off his creative skills. We caught up with him for a quick chat and asked for his favourite five flicks.

1. What got you into graffiti?

I grew up around Newtown, Erskineville and Redfern in the mid to late 80’s and it was the right time at the right place for someone like myself who needed an artistic outlet. I was a break-dancer before I was a writer so I knew a little about graffiti through hip hop in general. Once I started tagging I eventually progressed through to throw-ups, bombing, piecing and meeting other writers.

2. How would you describe your style?

I see my style as fairly traditionally based on late 80’s Sydney and New York styles. I can mix it up from public to semi wild through to font driven pieces as well.

3. Do you have a good chase story?

 In the late 90’s I was with two other DBT (Dia Bolik Terror) members and we were hitting a day spot near Millers Point. We were running about 10 minutes late and we spotted what seemed to look like some sort of class for new track workers. We thought that there would be no way they would all come up the aisle, we were only going to be about fifteen minutes and decided to launch it.

Just upon finishing a rather large islander fellow came around the front of the car and yelled “Got You’s!”, our first instinct was to bolt. We hit the legs and after about running a cars length we could see he was sending us in to about 10 other workers that we coming from the other end of the aisle. It basically came down to a no brainer, turn around and go one on one or try to get through 10 dudes in a really tight aisle.

We turned around handled it, got out and hit lunchtime foot traffic on the street with cops coming from everywhere to realise we were missing one of us. The two of us snuck back to the car and decided to do a lap around the yard and see if we could see our mate anywhere. We slowly drove down a dead end street with cops everywhere and we heard a whistle, we went to the end of the street turned around pulled up where we heard the whistle and our mate rolled out from under a parked car and jumped in the back. We got out of there right under the noses of the cops and yard workers with all three of us safe. I think the big fella may still be on compo too.

4. Are you making a living off your graffiti and design skills?

Yes, I’m fortunate enough to have worked with all sorts of visual industries from a young age that simply seemed as a sensible progression from doing graffiti to be able to earn a living of all things visual.. I am a sign writer by trade, have a graphic design diploma and do all things from illustration, signage, murals through to design.

5. What motivates you to keep painting?

Basically a thirst and skill to do art has been in me from a very young age. I have such a love for graffiti and all things visual art that it keeps me motivated to keep painting.
As mentioned I work as a visual artist so I am very fortunate to get to paint or plan something most days.

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