Graver. Graffiti artist.
One of the most popular and often misunderstood urban art is graffiti. For mere observer, it can be seen as mere trash and have no substance. Graffiti can be found in public places or abandon building, often with colorful design and social message. Graver is a graffiti artist from Indonesia and now residing in the Philippines. He is a moderator at Tembok Bomber forum, a popular forum for Indonesian graffiti artist.
Q. How long have you been a graffiti artist? Describe your style and favorite techniques.
A. I write graver and been doing graffiti since 2004 in Jakarta Indonesia, however I am residing in the Philippines now. My style has changed and progressed over time but I must say a style I consistently do is commonly known as simple and bubbly style, which means my lines are very curvy, and I also like experimenting with colors so I try to be colorful alot of times. In contrary to that style I also enjoy doing more technical works which involves alot of straight lines, and a more serious vibe.
Q. Who are your influences and what inspire you?
A. I am heavily influenced by the internet in the first year as well as the earlier graffitis that existed in Indonesia. One of them is known as luscent who is residing in San Francisco now. A later influence is Wormo from toter crew, the best graffiti artist in my opinion in Indonesia.
Q. You also involve with Tembok Bomber, Indonesia graffiti artists collective. Can you tell us more about Tembok Bomber and what is your role or contribution to the group?
A. I think all the TB members found each other from graphic design forum www.tembokbomberforum.com
Q.Apart from graffiti, is there other form of art that you like to do?
A. It’s funny. I have so much interest in graphic design and sneaker art and sometimes custom toys but I don’t do any of them. I do canvas paintings once in awhile though. Hopefully sooner or later I will expand to other mediums.
Q. Have you done any collaboration or project outside Indonesia?
A. Never have. I would love to though.
Q. Graffiti is closely related to hip-hop culture, such as break dancing & B boys. Do you involve in any musical groups?
A. Nah not involved in any however there are a number of people in Jakarta who does graffiti and who are also in bboy crews, or emcees or even djays.
Q. Is there any rivalry between different art groups in Indonesia?
A. Yeah. At first everyone was so united. Then eventually many of the walls in the city got covered with graffiti, and people started going over each others works, and drama arise, miscommunications. There was so much rivalry ever since Tembok Bomber was created cause people start talking trash over the net.
Q. Is it hard to find a good public space to showcase your art? How are the public reaction toward graffiti in Indonesia?
A. It used to be much easier three years ago, where there were many spots for me to paint. If you have visited Jakarta before, try visiting again and you could see how much graffiti has exploded. I don’t think police and the people took it too harshly at first, however after noticing how much of a plague graffiti can be in alot of areas, the police in Jakarta are starting to be stricter.
Q. What is your view regarding Indonesia graffiti scene now, if compare to few years ago?
A. The way I see it, in the beginning everyone was focusing on doing colorful graffiti pieces. Only two years, we were introduced to “graffiti caps” which were nozzles that enabled our paint to spray out either fatter to cover more space faster, or to spray out thinner which helped us do details. A lot of people progressed along with them, but along with it, just suddenly, Jakarta was starting to do more of “throw ups” and “tags”, which were focused more on the vandalizing than art pieces. Well Jakarta has already been full of “tags” by gangs and school-gangs, now with the graffiti crews getting into tag, you could just imagine how much graffiti vandalism occurs in Jakarta. Alot. Another thing that changed after a few years ago, is that the artists there in Indonesia are starting to find for much greater recognition so they are starting to personal distinguishable styles to be easily identified individually.
Q. Is it hard to find or buy materials for your art in Indonesia?
A. Not at all. There are so many roadside construction shops in Jakarta, and they usually supply spray paint. That’s where most if not all people buy their paint.
Q. Big companies have bank in urban and underground arts such as graffiti and used it extensively in their corporate project and advertisement. Is this a good exposure for urban arts and artist?
A. Yeah I think there is. Alot of my friend’s have been able to get some job opportunities over graffiti. Painting walls for shops as well as for many types of events. It is easy to get hold of artists here. Tembokbomber.com gets alot of emails regarding commissioned graffiti work, and usually they would discuss who is willing or should do the job.
Q. Are there any international artist that you would like to do collaboration project with?
A. Yeah, too many.
Q Malaysia and Indonesia share many similarities and culture-wise, we are not that much different. Do you think we borrow too much from the west, especially in term of style? Have we done enough to promote our style and culture to the world?
A. Yeah I think reality is we do borrow or get heavily influenced by the west. The west is arguably more advanced or were the ones who started many of the cultures that seem to appeal to the mass. You could say some people do borrow too much, but again it takes a little bit of being influenced to get started. Eventually some people after being exposed to things find their own styles. Yea I think some have been true to their own local style to share to the world but honestly I think there are more people trying to imitate than be original.
Q. What is your latest project? Any last words?
A. My latest project? Wow. Hmm. nothing at the moment. My last “project” I had I guess was my last trip to Jakarta for 2 weeks in June. I went out painting every other day collaborating with old friends. Last words? Take graffiti as a way to have fun with spray cans. Do Google it but don’t get too caught up with what you hear about it from other people. ALWAYS have it your way. Love it and go crazy. Oh and to end this interview the stereotypical way…. I would like to give a shout out to my crew in the Philippines, SBA crew created by Flip1! Also my crew along with kims in Jakarta Indonesia, UBC!
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