Five questions for five flicks 

Featured artist - ROMS OSF

ROMS is a graffiti writer from Sydney. He started painting in the early 90's and and writes OSF CREW. His stye is straight up New York and he has painted everything in Sydney from dope panels, wholecars, tracksides, bombing he got up hard. We caught up to find out a bit more about him and asked for his favourite five flicks.

1. What got you into Graffiti?

I started looking at graffiti late '89, early '90. I was in awe the first time I saw the Subway Art book which was a major inspiration, along with Vapors magazine which was around the time. I hung around older local writers from my area in the inner west.

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

It's New York style. I have great appreciation for 70's -80's New York graffiti and the early pioneers, it's the only graff I look at. Zombe and Dems taught me a lot, from lettering, fills to tagging. Rkoe and Kink were as equally influential, learnt a lot from both great guys. All the TM masters and the Players Crew were a massive influence.

3. During the late 90's/early 2000's you were extremely active, What was it like painting in Sydney during that time?

Painting was good then, there were plenty of writers and crews who were very active. As long as you did your homework on spots and went about your business the right way you were sweet.

4. Do you have a good chase story?

Back in '97, myself and 5 other writers went to paint Central underground. We spent a reasonable amount of time down there with no dramas until the end when we had to get back up to the platform. There was an army of cops and transits waiting for us.

So we decided to run from Central underground to Redfern, hiding in manholes, dodging trains from both directions. 
When we got to Redfern more cops were waiting. A train slowly pulled in with high beams and the driver going crazy on the horn.
 When commuters boarded and alighted was when we made our move. Hell broke loose as we ran through crowds of people with the cops trying to grab us. Up the escalators, over the ticket barriers and onto the back streets. We all got away to paint another day.

5. What motivates you to keep painting?

I enjoy getting out painting with mates who keep me motivated. Still a lot to learn and work on. It gives me time out from my missus. 

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