To some people – think the stuffy bureaucrats, cops, and a select group of fussy citizens – street artists are already monsters. They’re rampant destructoids who have no respect for public or private property. To them, street art is not art – it’s wanton vandalism.
Enter Monster, a 16 year old street artist who, at first glance, fits the bill. But there’s something about Monster’s style which screams big things – his sense of line is robust, his characters are instantly recognisable and he’s developing a sense of humour in his work. Given time and his work will undoubtedly match those of his idols. Monster took some time out to chat with Perth Street Art about his work.
Define what street art means to you?
Street art is quite simply what the name states, art on the street. Free art for everyone to see, whether you like it or not.
What / who got you into street art?
A few of my friends were into tagging before I started but only a few actually painted. I guess I was influenced by them. I started off trying to tag, but I was absolute crap and gave up. I was really interested in artists such as The Yok, Creepy and Troll so I started experimenting with characters and stickers myself, and just progressed from there. My original characters were really plain and simple, with hardly any detail.
Where does the name Monster come from?
When I first started out I was struggling to find a name to call myself. I spent hours and hours trying to think of a witty little nickname. I eventually gave up and decided on the name ‘Monster’, because that is pretty much what I do, I draw monsters.
Can you tell us some of the techniques that you use & why?
Spray paint and stickers are my favourite two mediums, but I occasionally experiment with paste-ups. Stickers are by far the easiest and most efficient. They can be produced in bulk, and applied in a second, even in broad daylight.
Have you ever considered taking your work into a gallery space?
Not quite yet as I am still trying to broaden my skills using different mediums. At the moment most of my work is on the streets, but yes, definitely in the future I’d like to move into some gallery work.
What do you think of the state’s current anti-graffiti laws?
The anti-graffiti laws in WA are way too strict, and they’re trying to make them even tougher. Everything is blown way out of proportion when it comes to graffiti, society looks down on it so much and make it out to be such a disgrace. We’ve all heard the story about that Sydney girl who was sentenced to 3 months jail for one single tag on her first offence, once again completely blown out of proportion.
What do you think of the recent Western Power building project on Roe Street in Northbridge?
Commission work such as the Western Power building project are a great way to help the community appreciate graffiti and street art. It will show the public that it’s not all just scribble and vandalism, but an art form and a culture.
What gives graffiti / street art a bad reputation?
Tagging is pretty much what gives street art and graffiti such a bad name. I myself do not have a problem with tagging, because I can appreciate and understand the whole concept behind getting your word up and becoming well known. Tagging is where graffiti started, without it street artists would not have had the inspiration to produce such large scale pieces and murals.
Do you belong to any crews?
I don’t belong to any crews, as I haven’t really been part of the street art scene for that long, I believe it’s more important for me to express myself, rather than put a crew up. At one point I was part of a crew, but I wasn’t too enthusiastic towards it, this resulted in me getting kicked out.
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
