Firstly, thank you for your time, what’s been happening?
I have just wrapped up my solo exhibition here in Sydney, which ended up only opening for one night, but was lots of fun seeing my installations come to life. For the rest of the year I’ve got 3 mural projects on the cards.
For those who are unfamiliar with you and what you do, can you tell us a bit about yourself and walk us through your typical day?
I am an artist and painter & decorator. On a normal day I get over to the studio, work on some computer projects, get down on the ping pong table, then get on with any unfinished paintings.
Where did your interest in art begin? Were you involved in other forms of art before you got involved with Graffiti?
Art was one of my subjects at school but I never did very well. I saw my brother doing graffiti throughout my teens, so I gave it a go. Graffiti was my gateway drug to becoming an artist for sure.
Your work has an obvious sign writing influence, what made you go from vandalism to brandalism and back again?
I did graffiti when I was a kid. It was a lot of fun. Since then I have experimented with stencils, posters, and have worked in advertising at one point, which lead me to sign writing. Working 24hrs a day at trying to sell people things they didn’t ask for gave me a direction to get some other types of messages out there.
Do you think where you grew up has had an effect on your style today?
I was born in Tokyo, Japan and grew up in the suburbs of Northern Sydney. Graffiti was plentiful and the game was big bold letters. I think that had an effect for sure.
What’s the story behind the name Numskull?
I stole it from an old British comic I used to read as a kid, called “The Numskulls”. It was about a kid that had tiny creatures inside him, controlling every sense. I used to read and collect alot of comics, so naturally I just chose something that was familiar.
You worked at Worlds end studio with some of Australia’s most prolific and talented street artists, what effect do you think working in an environment such as Worlds End has had on your work?
It was the most fun and creative point in my life so far. Spending almost every day around some of Sydney’s finest artists/vandals was incredibly inspiring.
On that same note, what’s happening now Worlds End has finished?
Everyone split and went their own ways. Just recently we have been setting up a new spot in Sydney’s Inner West. Myself, Phibs, Beastman, Max Berry, Bennett, Ears and a few others are all the current residents, and there is some really great work coming out of it already. That, and a quite serious, ongoing ping pong championship.
How do you think Graffiti has changed or evolved since you became involved in it? Do you think the younger generation of artists have the same intentions and mentality as you and those who came before you did when you first started?
I don’t consider myself a traditional graffiti artist anymore. I use spraypaint and paint walls occasionally. It would be naive of me to think I am part of the traditional graffiti scene. That is a whole other world I am only now touching the sides of. Graffiti involves so much more than most people know. I think these days, graffiti and street art are so publicly accessible that kids can jump in at any point and do well. I’m not sure wether this is a good thing.
Themes of commercial saturation, advertising, catch words are prevalent through out your work, causing the viewer realise how much of this shit is forced down our throats day in day out, as much as we are oblivious to it, do you put a lot of thought in to how your work will be interpreted by the public?
I used to work in advertising, so I think that had an effect on me. I tend to make things up as I go. Stick to what I know, paint some pictures and most of the time there’s a meaning by the end of it.
In your eyes, who do you think is really pushing the boundaries in the street art world?
Australia: Lister is getting Australia lots of attention. Beastman, Ben Frost, Phibs, Roach, Yok and the Everfresh crew down south. Overseas: Os Gemeos, Blu, Banksy, Obey and a bunch more.
Do you think that graffiti will go down the same path as tattooing, from a frowned upon (at least in the last 100 years) underground scene to a relatively mainstream movement?
I’m not sure. I think the internet and advertising have both played a big part in making it mainstream.
You’ve had a whole lot of your work featured in galleries and exhibitions around the country, what are your thoughts on Graffiti orientated artwork being featured in galleries?Do you think it’s something that’s going to last or merely a case of gallery owners milking the cash cow?
Again. I have no idea. Graffiti has been in galleries since the early craze in New York, now it seems more people know about it that’s all. It’s definitely an art movement that people are taking ALOT more interest in.
What’s in your pockets right now?
Key to my studio, phone, lighter.
What have you been reading, listening to and watching lately?
I have been listening to the new Gorillaz album and the last thing I watched was Masters of the Universe. I recently read a book by Ryan McGinness called “Sponsorship”, which was super interesting.
What are five things that you always pack with you on your travels?
Spare shirt, bike pump, lighter, notepad and camera.
Advice to up and coming artists?
Get busy and don’t let what other people think hold you down.
Anything coming up that we should know about?
I just put up my new website. It’s got random bits of my work and a blog section. Next year I’ve got some travel plans for Australia and overseas. Can’t really say much about it yet.
Word association, you know the deal, say whatever comes to your mind when you read the word.
Australia – Home
Kevin Rudd – Nice guy
America – Loud
Obama – Big guy
England – Cold
The Queen – Old
Legal – Problems
Illegal – More problems
Religion – Weird
Time – Not enough
Greed – Everywhere
Humanity – Strange
Peace – and quiet
Freedom – Australia
Art – happiness
Graffiti – is great
Life – is a strange place
Happiness – is laughing.
Where can people follow what you’re up to and view your work?
www.funskull.com
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