Five questions for five flicks 

Featured artist - IDIOT

IDIOT is a graffiti writer from Wollongong a small city just a few hours south of Sydney. He started painting in the late 80's when there was hardly any graff on the South Coast. He has a dope style often experimenting adding characters and connections. We caught up to find out a bit more about him and asked for his 5 favourite flicks.

1. What got you into graffiti?

Older neighbours watching and rewinding and watching BREAKIN then BEATSTREET in 1984, train rides to Sydney all the way through to the late 80’s, you couldn’t not notice it, cars bombed floor to ceiling, stations, lines, good times. Then I finally got my hands on subway art and that kept me keen to want to paint, still does.

2. How would you describe your style and who were your influencers?

If was to describe my style, it's been on a wild ride, maybe missed a few turn off’s, been in a few prangs and at one point may of even ran out of juice. When I first started I heard that biting wasn’t cool, so I tried originality, after along time being inspired by other artists it became alright and you could talk and paint similar to your influences. My style has been to the panel beaters and is more New York based.

3. What was it like growing up as a young writer on the South Coast? 

At first very lonely, like a kid with no WI-FI or credit. Through skating and partying I found other like minded people. Paint was hard to get down here (primary colours only) I was introduced to some Sydney paint outlets, (tuxan,Pascols) I was like a kid in a candy store. It’s funny down here at the start you had to buff your own spot, and sometimes you had to buff it again if you wanted to go over your old one along the lines. There was no buff for awhile.

 4. Do you have a good chase story?

Every writer has chase story, be it a close call or whatever, the one that has stuck in my mind is more on the funny side and is till this day. It was awhile back now, it was the year Santa came to visit the gong yard. Every xmas eve we would jump in and give the o’l trains a mozy bite, but this time a friend decided to dress as Santa and distract the seccas.

Standing at fence ready to jump in, Santa was suited up and in character, I rolled around for awhile laughing, when Santa said ho ho lets go! Jump the fence and run at the seccas. I remember him jumping around off his head trying to get there attention, I couldn’t get my shit together, finally jumped the fence and once I was at the train, I look and the seccas weren’t sure what was going on, shocked they finally got out of there cars and chased him. There is no way I could paint, crying from laughter I just walked along the train tagging and stumbling, so funny!

5. What motivates you to keep painting?

Seeing other o’l bastards still painting, the interweb and the fact that I’m addicted. I don’t paint as much as I should and want too and I still find it really hard to not think about graffiti the same way like when I caught the bug originally.
Much respect to those killing it and everyone keeping GRAFFITI alive.
Thanks BSP...
IDIOT..

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