Writer Interviews

 

RACE : ADN

 

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I grew up in the country on a farm! I spent most weekends in the city though, which opened my eyes up to a lot of things outside farming.

 

How did you choose your tag, any special meaning?

RACE - I chose this name at age 13 because I had raced BMX from the age of 4 and also did a little bit of Moto X racing as well. Because BMX was such a huge part of my life it sort of suited me and has stuck ever since. Plus I like the letter "R".

 

How did you get in to graffiti?

I went to America in 1988 and saw some amazing stuff by the likes of HEX. When I returned a couple of guys I used to race BMX against had sketches in school books and it once again ignited my interest. I then discovered Wild Style and Hype magazine. In 1991 I attempted my first piece after bombing the local bus shelters for 2 months. Living in a small country town it didn't take long before the cops were on to me.

 

What is it that you love about graffiti that keeps you writing?

The smell of the fumes haha.. The feeling I get every time I put paint onto any surface, also the many different letter structures, I love letters. I still get amped up about a well executed wildstyle with great flow and arrows etc etc. These days there is so much good stuff produced just for the writer which is always exciting to see and use.

 

Tell us about your style and how it has developed over the years.

Do I have one??? Haha, I guess you could call it semi-wildstyle. I like to keep it sharp edged and with a carved out look to it. Sometimes it can be a pretty busy sketch with lots of things "happening" inside it.

 

Who have been your major influences?

Firstly it was SUBWAY ART, STYLE WARS, HYPE MAG. Individual writers in the beginning it would be CUS, CANEL, PUZLE, JAWS and style master WHEN R.I.P.. These days DVATE, we seem to always be pushing each other to do new shit, and the rest of the ADN boys who keep me on my toes.

 

Paint brand of choice

TUXAN... Mmmm that smell. Otherwise Export/Dymark mix ups

 

Cap of choice

New Yorkers and black caps

 

What music motivates you to paint?

80's and 90's hip hop

 

Memorable mission moment

There have been a few............. Being chased by a helicopter out of a yard on my second panel mission, only to find out they thought we were car thieves, haha suckers. Painting under a bridge and hearing moaning/groaning from above, when I checked it out I discovered a couple going hammer and tong for it! I had a pretty good view as well! Hiding in someone's garden shed for two hours waiting for the heat to die down. I had a spliff with me so I lit it up and relaxed.

 

Any tips you're willing to share to the next generation of writers?

Keep your mouth shut, don't let your ego get out of control and stay true to your mates. Even if you think you burn there are 100's of guys out there that are better and have done more, so keep it in perspective. Other than that work on your OWN style, don't follow the latest trends and always say "No comment." in a police interview.

 

Anything else to add?

SHOUT OUT TO THE ADN FAMILY- THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD TIMES HAD AND ONES TO COME ** CUS, CANEL, DVATE, BIER, DILEMA, ASK, DABS, GETO, MYLA AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST 'WHEN' REST IN PIECE BROTHER.
www.myspace.com/rizzace

 

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