Tuesday, August 20, 2013

5 Questions with Dog Fight

The 2095'ers introduction to DogFight was reminiscent of that with BlackCat and given that they are inextricably linked it is not at all surprising.

There was something about this style that caught the 2095'ers eye but what really struck her was how these stickers seemed to double in population on each of her streetart expeditions.

Always up for a bit of discussion with herself, the 2095'er reasoned thus: "he's obviously very tall and has no sleep OR he has a following of millions like the Pied Piper who simply drown in delight in slapping these babies up OR it's a combination of both" (and yes, the 2095 chick did in fact make silent self-talk to external "she's bonkers" talk on many such occasions)

From lightposts to handrails, doorways, street signs...this guy was EVERYWHERE!


Who is this dude she wondered.  

Then, as if stepping in to a brave new world, the 2095'er made what she fondly refers to as 'a cold call for cowards'. 

Why is it when not having a friend request accepted on social media it seems to be a less confronting or upsetting rejection than if by leaving endless, almost stalkingly like, voicemails sounding like an hysterical female who needs a life, which ultimately never get returned.

Fortunately the 2095'ers request was received positively and regular communicado began photographer and artist.

One of the 2095'ers observations was that whilst from a more city locale end of the Inner West was saturated with these dogs (as was the city itself), there didn't seem to be any on the other side of Edgeware Road and beyond.

And with that, here are my 5 questions with Dogfight

Who exactly is Dogfight

Well Dogfight isn't really anything.  The name "Dogfight" is just there as I needed some kind of name otherwise it's got to be over explained in conversation.  The amount of times I've tried to explain "Lil white dog character"!  It's just easier this way.



I use the name Dogfight regarding anything I do, whether it's graphic design, clothing, stickers or whatever...it's just a name.  I thought it sounded cool, I liked the idea of taking something that already meant something and giving it my own spin.

To me, I'm not even thinking about actual dog fighting, which is totally rank: I like dogs!  It's more about the "fight in the under dog", like saying "it's not the dog in the fight but the fight in the dog".

The underdog will rise kind of thing.

I came up with the dog character in its current form around 2001-2002.  I originally paired the dog with a pig character named Bacon and was gonna do a comic on the two of them named "Bacon Bones", but instead chucked em on some stickers and went about sticking them about the place.

After a while I scrapped the pig, stuck with the dog and came up with the name "Dog Fight".

I had gone under a few different names before then as well.  The actual dog character doesn't have a name or if it does it's just "dog" (like the Dog out of Footrot Flats).  It's just an every day dog, no particular breed or gender...purely a dog.





I wanted to create a character that could kind of exist in its own right.  I always have a Dot & The Kangaroo type thing in my head where I wanted the dog to live and exist in our world, but as a cartoon, where people could see and enjoy him without it really belonging to anyone except the viewer at that time, so obviously graffiti and streetart were the perfect outlet for that, as the dog could pop up overnight to inhabit an area without all the non-sense of who put it there or why, simply that it's here, you live here, it lives here, now play nice! 



I've never had the plan to be known myself.  In fact I often do things especially to reflect this.  I wanted the dog to be known: hopefully by the time I go the dog will just be known as an iconic trait of Sydney and my friends, family and son can continue it as a permanent fixture of Sydney's landscape....like pigeons and cockroaches (LOL).

From insanely HUGE paste ups to slap ups that fit nicely in the palm of the hand. How much planning time is needed for these enormously impressive pieces and do you choose the location prior to print, or is it more of a "print done, location will present itself when I'm out and about"

For larger posters/jobs, I will often have a location in mind and I'll just work out how big I can go, how many hands are required (if required), what the weather is like etc. Other times, I'll just load up with paint or a bucket and handful of posters and see what I come across.

For the most part, things aren't overly planned but when they are planned, I like to go all out and turn it into some Mission Impossible style venture but that's more to make an event of it and have a bit of fun; or if we are filming, gotta be extra careful. The only thing I know for sure is it will be The Dog.


You recently did a collab for a video with Big Dave.  How did that come about

Me and Dave work together on a hell of a lot of projects and will continue to do so for a long time.  We built a friendship after I had a quick prison visit.  He was basically saying what I was thinking which is what drew me to him plus he had design work, I had designs and we share the same work ethic.

A lot of people are just trying to get something out of something, whereas me and Dave built a bond over wanting to create something valuable from nothing with the understanding that it was the journey and the experiences we would take from it (which mattered most).

With that in mind, we both have priceless experiences, opportunities to meet people neither of us thought we'd ever meet and basically rip it up!

As far as this particular video project goes, he created the song for me back in 2011 so I could use it as music in one of my sticker videos.  He always liked the song as it's pretty rough and fun for him to rap and he wanted to do something new with it. He came up with the idea for the video and I was cool with that and the rest is history!


warning: if easily offended this ain't for you!

We have worked on a million things together in the past.  I did his debut album artwork as well as art for other acts on the KP Label, posters for festivals and other concerts for him: all sorts of jobs for things.  It's good!

Collab or solo

Solo is always good as after a few years you have so much experience under your belt: you know how you going to do things, the approach you take, the plan of attack etc.  And anytime I'm doing anything risky I prefer to be on my own.  I'm often a little over daring or perhaps even cocky in what I think I can get away with, so doing things on my own eliminates taking anyone down with me due to my risk taking.

If I'm with other people I choose to keep it pretty tame for the most part, although I choose what tasks I will attempt depending on who I am with.

I've got a very close circle of people that I can count on one hand, who are what I consider "the wrecking crew" (not an actual crew and not all artists themselves!), and they are the people I plan bigger riskier stuff with that often requires more eyes, more hands and a genuine trust and care for each other: resulting in everyone being hyper-vigilant to ensure the job gets done, done well and everyone stays safe, out of meddling hands and gets home.


photo courtesy of AWOL Monk

With that being said, I do enjoy good company on long walks and there's nothing like seeing you and your peoples art up in one spot with a united front.

Then there's the Cat of course (check out the 2095 chick's blog done with BlackCat "here").  Me and the Cat, well we just get the job done.  Often our stickers are done in the same format whether it's screen printed, Lino cut, digital print, hand drawn, square or circle.



That's because we sit there and make them together on whatever materials we have at hand and often experiment with and discover new techniques.  If I print stickers, I print hers too and she does the same.  So ours are often the same but different!

What does the world hold for DogFight or is it limited only by our own imagination

I'm not sure.  We play arts & crafts every day.  There will always be more Dog in all shapes and forms.

I also do a fair bit of airbrushing and other stuff so who knows.  No use saying something like "there will be exhibitions" or things like that.  Just take a walk down the street...the exhibition is on, it's free and damned colourful!


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Thank god for the universal gallery is all the 2095 chick can say.  

DogFight has also started a doco which so far has taken 2 years and in his words "it probably won't be out for another 2 years!" so here's a trailer of things to come


And you can buy some of this dude's amazing work (t-shirts, stickers etc) on his website.  So just click "here" and the 2095 chick reckons there just might be something for everyone!


5 Questions with Blythe Crowe

It's not often that the 2095 chick's memory fails on pinpointing pivotal moments in her life, moreover when there is a meeting between the artist and photographer.  In fact on many occasion she has been the "phone a friend" on matters of trivia, events (good and bad), and past lives in the industries she once worked.

But as she types the cogs begin to turn...dang there is NO way she can let this piece continue without being precise and exact!  She'd be letting Team 2095 Chick down for heaven's sake and that dear friends is a big fat no no in her books!

AH HA!  How could this chick be so remiss....of course...it could only be....it was as a result of her joining a certain group on a certain social media page focussing on a certain event which threw her head first into a certain world.

Nooooo....not this time.  No way is the 2095'er going to state the obvious.  For if you do not know by now, then you will simply have to read through previous blogs in order to ascertain exactly what it is she refers to!

Now that that is comfortably out of the way.

Whilst not having met in person due to geographic discourse, the 2095'er saw a post on AWOL Stencil's page asking for people to submit photos so as to be part of her project "People/Society" (an amazing range of images which you can check out "here"), photographic hand duly put up, the 2095'er was completely stoked to hers included!


Since that time the 2095 chick has been observing this artist's developing style and maturation and felt that NOW was the time to delve into the world of the artist known as Blythe Crowe.

Young artist up and ready to go.  When did you first realise you wanted to not only become an artist, but extend that definition to include street in your portfolio

I started getting serious about art when I was around 12 years old.  I had a passion for tattoos.  I loved the design, especially tribal art.



I taught myself line art which then led to tribal art.  About a year later I heard about this guy called Banksy.  That's when I fell in love with the idea of stencilling and painting the streets.

Ever since then I strived to make the world a more beautiful place, one brush stroke at a time.

Why stencilling

I was always amazed how something simple could be so beautiful and bold!  I loved how putting a couple of shapes together could speak so loud.




It makes you stop and take a second look.


You have done some incredible projects to date including stencil images of photos of people you have met via the wonders of social media.  What has been for you the most pivotal one that has a permanent place in your heart

The one that will always stick with me is a portrait I did of a baby who was born with a disability.  His mother's words still replay in my mind "this picture was taken two days after my life changed completely.  You see, I had plans to be a professional, to work in a high-rise in Manhattan.  When he was born with a disability my life went from climbing corporate ladders to knocking down barriers.  What is the saying?  'We make plans and the gods laugh'.  This picture reminds me that disabled people are human.  He looks 'normal' doesn't he?  Like the average sleeping baby.  It's why I am who I am today.  It's my blessing".


I have a disabled brother, so this story really hits home.  Her words express that every person, no matter what shape or size are beautiful.

These are the stories that make it all worthwhile.

Where do you see your future as both artist and street artist

I hope to spread my work globally.  I'd love to travel and spread a little inspiration everywhere I go.


My dreams are to pain Basel in Miami (Florida) and have a solo gallery show.

I don't aim to be the next Bansky and don't aim to sell my work for millions.

My goal is to inspire the next guy to follow his dreams.

Edge Gallery Collab Mural 2012


When can we (as in Australia!) expect to see you visit and adorn some walls with your work

Hopefully soon!  I've never travelled but Australia is one of the places I have the most fans (see Blythe's facebook page "here").  So it's definitely on my list of things to do.



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And the walls await you!  If you haven't already you MUST check out her website "here" and from there you can keep up to date with all stencil goings on via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr.....thank goodness for the fibreoptic world is all this chick can say.



Wednesday, August 7, 2013

5 Questions with Melinda Vassallo

Life at times can be curious and it was quite a while ago that the 2095'er accepted that whatever path you find your feet on should be embraced and if you hit a wall or stumbling block then don't push it, cause somewhere along the way it will re-present and take you where you were ultimately meant to be.

During the 2095'ers initial meet/greet with Konsumterra, one of his sentences during their conversation was "you've got to meet my friend Melinda.  You two would really get on".  "Sure!" came the 2095 chick's somewhat confuddled reply,  as she was still in the haze of "I can't believe I didn't have a crippling shyness attack and finally plucked up the courage to speak to a much admired artist" mode.

A few months later having bumped in to Konsumterra where a solo hunting expedition became a duo, he again said "you've really got to meet Melinda.  You two would seriously get on".

Whilst there actually was to be an actual face to face meet and greet planned, the forces of the universe must have deemed it simply wasn't the right time . Yet through the magic of the fibre optic world, the 2095'er not only became acquainted with Melinda, but found they do have many things (apart from the mutual love and admiration of all things street) in common.

One is zero tolerance for complete time wasters.  The second being a love of words on walls.


Welcome to my 5 questions with Melinda Vassallo

Your passion for street art is no secret.  When, how and why did this love affair begin

I have lived in the city for most of my life.  I have always loved seeing the writing on the walls; Bugger-up, political statements and the graff for as long as I can remember.  It was also so interesting to follow, like reading an uncensored paper.



Your book "Street Art of Sydney's Inner West": was this a spontaneous decision?

I used to watch what was happening on the walls around Redfern and Newtown in the 90's.  I enjoyed it, but took it all for granted.

When I moved to Erskinville I had a love affair with two major pieces.  Marchai's Got a Gun on Erskinville Road



and The Skippy Girls on Wilson Street.



In a matter of months it seemed The Skippy Girls were badly vandalised and house where Marchia's Got a Gun was being renovated and the mural destroyed.

I was unprepared for the amount of distress it caused me.  I was devastated to say the least.  It was a sign.

Some time after The Skippy Girls were restored by residents it make me realise there were more people out there, just like me, that loved these Murals and Graff.

I started thinking "someone has to document all this before it's gone!"



From planning to print: can you explain the process, duration and your sense of achievement upon seeing the final product as a bona fide publication to be held physically in hand rather than within the confines of "brain space"

I think if I had to really thought about the whole thing properly, I might never have done it.  I knew nothing about Graffiti/Street Art really.  I just knew I liked it and there were heaps of people out there who also appreciate it.



Firstly it was the idea I was responsible for documenting it all and before any notion of what I was setting out to do, I started to take photographs.  It was more like an obsession (and as with many others, the 2095 chick can totally relate to this).

I was mad with driving around and taking photographs.  It was fun, exciting, always changing and something new every day.  I talked, or I should I say bored my family and friends with it all until I thought "hell why not turn it in to a book!  I have the skills and knowledge to do it so why not!".




I applied for an Arts Grant and I was more surprised than anyone when I actually got it! I will always be grateful to Marrickville Council for that; it's what made the whole project a reality for me.

Research was hard in 2008 as most artists preferred to remain anonymous.  The book launch was a blast and it was the first time I  met most of the Street Artists.  I love that I did it and still can't believe it when I sell a book.

As with life, so does the perception and acceptance grows, expands and matures. How have you seen the street-art movement evolve and do you feel it is now being viewed as an "accepted" freedom of expression by the artist, therefore allowing itself to be placed within the politically correct and socially acceptable box of "art", rather than mindless scrawl or paint

Amazingly, the more I find out about the Graff/Street Art scene the more I feel how little I know!  If I had as much knowledge as I do now, I might not have assumed I could successfully write a book.

It was my vision for the book that the artists be heard and recognised for their passion and their art.  I also wanted the general public to recognise and value the walls of the Inner West as a living canvas.  Over the past years I have seen this all evolve with mutual respect from the public, council and artists.  I don't know if my book helped, but I sure feel pleased that is as socially accepted as it is today.



How would you sum up your love of street art in one paragraph

Street Art is the perfect gallery.  It is un-curated, alive, constantly changing and evolving.  It's out there free for those of us who are aware and have our eyes open.


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Before signing off this interview, the 2095'er (along with many many MANY people) would like to thank Melinda for her book, her continual and ever growing love for street art and on a personal note, for saying "yes" to be interviewed!


Now if you are interested in buying Melinda's book it's available for purchase at Better Read Than Dead in Newtown, Gleebooks in Glebe, Museum of Contemporary Art, NSW Art Gallery or online at Fineline Designs (click "here" for more info)

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

5 questions with Anto Christ

As with many discoveries of artists, the 2095 chick first fell head over heals in love with Anto Christ at ....yep, you guessed it already: PM3.

The first thing that struck the 2095'er was the apparent random use of colours and she was immediately thrown back to school when marbling was one of the more personally favoured mandatory "art" classes (not that the 2095'er ever felt she had an artistic bone in her being other than to admire and wish she could be as good as others, such was the self-imposed perfectionist state she had at that age....ahh where would we be without the beauty of hindsight).


As with many images captured, when in the confines of home and revelling in the days' activities, the 2095'er found herself constantly looking at these images in an almost trance-like state.  

The more she looked, the more the 2095'er became captivated with its intricacy, the "layers" of complexity and the cleverness of the artist.


It wasn't until about a year later that the 2095'er and her street-art play-date friend were wandering the streets of the Inner West, that they stumbled across (well let's get real here: you never actually "stumble" across anything when on the hunt.  You know the streets, you walk past them in the hope that perhaps a new wall has gone up and then leave it a while, hoping and praying for something fresh to appear say within the next 10000 days or so) the most incredible wall to be had in a very long time.

As luck would have it, it was late afternoon with those annoying shadows "ruining" what could have been THE perfect image, so close ups were needed, if nothing else other than to say "we got it!".

Here are my 5 questions with the amazing multi-dimensional artist Anto Christ.

Who is Anto Christ

My name is Anto and the Christ came after.  I create other worlds and in that world I am the God.  


So I am Anto Christ.

Your use of colour is extravagant, absolutely in your face (in the nicest possible way) and unforgettable.  What is it about fluro that appeals to you so much

I believe that colour awakens the soul and de-programmes anyone who is experiencing it.  By "de-programming" I mean changing their perspective on looking a certain way to participate in this society. I feel like people are afraid to wear certain colours because it's "out there" but I think that's such a cop out.

Who is to say what's normal and what isn't?!  I really don't care what people think of me. And I don't believe we should all look the same to fit in because everyone is different.

I gave in to expectations when I was growing up and I was very unhappy because I could never live up to them.  I could never fit into the "box" they were trying to create for me.  I choose to express myself through clothes because I am a canvas; and I also have the right to express myself however I see fit in this reality.


No one has the right to judge others for their race, sexuality and something as shallow as a piece of clothing...but it happens.  I hear of kids getting killed in other countries for dressing as an "Emo".  This to me is extreme. Not the clothing I am wearing.

Colours inspire me every day and it also opens up a dialogue with the public.  I have met the most amazing people through the act of self-adornment.  I call it "Adornism".  I don't follow fashion trends and I am weary of buying most of the new products that are out there on the market.  Not only are they made poorly, but the people who are making them are working in less than ideal conditions and not being paid properly for the work they are doing because of the big corporations that are trying to cut down on their costs.

I enjoy wearing vintage fashion because I can also alter the pieces to suite my style. I am attracted to textures and details like embroidery. I am an Adornist through and through.

Street artist, Performance Artist & Designer.  Do you keep these persona's separated and when does Anto Christ simply become the person without the makeup who chills, watches tv and takes time to "be"

I don't really have that much of a separation between these things and I don't really see things as a persona (except for my crochet pieces).  I am Anto 24/7, just different degrees of me I guess. 


I could never be anything else really.  A lot of people ask me what I'm "dressed up" for, but I don't seeing it as dressing up.  This just happens to be my taste.

My makeup takes around 20 minutes to do and it takes me around 15 minutes to choose an outfit.  It's normal to me and comes very naturally.  Obviously when I'm at home, I'm usually in my underwear creating and watching movies.  My bedroom is pretty much my studio.  I can spend more time on creating than travelling to and from.

But I am an artist who really lives their work.  I don't have a separation and I don't put on an act.  I just "am" all the time.  When I was much younger and tried wearing convention outfits it just didn't look right on me and I felt very uncomfortable in my skin.  I guess it's all about perspective really.

I span the genres when it comes to mediums I choose to work with but I look at it all as a whole.  The paintings, the clothing, the designs and sculpture are all one thing really


Your collab with Atlas Mapps is extraordinarily beautiful, complex and one (that as a photographer) need to be looked at and often for each time we do we find something new.  How long did it take to not only plan but create this wonderwall

Atlas Mapps is an extraordinary and prolific artist.  I think we have both been influenced by each other and always dreamt of doing a collaboration.  Because I was leaving the country (Australia), we decided to finally do it and our friend Pat's parents actually own the wall and gave us permission to do something that wasn't a tag of someone's name.


We wanted to give something back to Newtown because that place gave us so much inspiration.  We had no plan with the image per se.  We gathered all the materials we could find around us and just really let loose on the wall.

We threw paint on, finger painted and saw things emerging out of the colours that were before us.  Atlas Mapps used really unconventional materials like crayons and glitter as well as acrylics.  I don't even think we fully finished it but I guess that's the magic of the piece.  


It's constantly changing because the sun will affect it as time goes on.

When can we see some more of Anto Christ's work in Australia???!!! (pretty please with sugar on top we BEG you to come back soon!)

Australia will always be my home.  And I will come back eventually, but for now I have lots of work to do with Casio Ono out here in Berlin.

The Colour Parade (see more "here") will still be happening in Sydney & Melbourne but unfortunately I won't be there but stayed tuned for your next Colour Parade Event!

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From Australia to Berlin, the 2095 chick thanks Anto Christ for not only her time, photos and insight but for bringing some much needed colour and antiestablishmentariasm in to our lives in that it's ok to live outside that square of conformity!

Keep up with Anto Christ's happenings


click "here" to visit her website
or you can listen to some Party Relaxation 
with both Anto Christ and Casio Ono "here"


Monday, August 5, 2013

5 Questions with BlackCat Stickers

The 2095 chick first started to notice BlackCat Stickers just about everywhere she went. Difficult to exactly pinpoint exact time and locale cause when she says "everywhere", she means EVERYWHERE.

On poles, on windows, on doors, in doorways, on railings on mailboxes.  Initially always entwined with DogFight Stickers (and yes!  There is an upcoming interview with Dogfight Stickers so stay tuned to this station!)



Or with Cherry Bombs


Ashamedly, the 2095'er must admit that initially she really didn't understand what she was photographing.  To be absolutely honest, the "Spread the Love Project" appeared to be promo for an upcoming gig, but given the 2095'er love for her own black cat (fondly referred to as The Boof) she felt almost duty-bound to capture the image and then continue on her huntin expedition.

It wasn't until a return visit to her beloved Inner West, that she started seeing stencil like images appearing on quite a breath taking scale

artists: Rotar Uno, BlackCat Stickers, DogFight Stickers

and as with many street art experiences, once you see one, you see "hundreds" and this time, the 2095 chick knew what she was looking at it and started to quickly fall in love with yet another artist's clever work.

Again through the marvels of social media, contact with BlackCat was made and the chick will use this delightful segue as an intro to her 5 questions with the artist known as BlackCat.

When did BlackCat come in to "being"

I've always loved and appreciated street art and graffiti, but only started participating a few years ago influenced by my fella (a fellow street artist).  He got this gamer nerd off "Call of Duty" and outside! (finally!  the 2095 chick has found another chick who loves first person shooter games!  But for the 2095'er it has to be Battlefield 1942 Desert Storm: LOVE that adrenalin rush)

I just love going sticker bombing!  In our free time it's always sketching, creating stickers and going on sticker runs.


I love this city...Sydney...and I live in the thick of it!  Navigating the city is now a friendly experience.  I have met a number of Sydney sticker artists and traveling through the city I am welcomed by their familiar characters or lettering; always excited to see a new sticker they have slapped up.  I love seeing the back of a sign that began with a few sticker then in a week's time everyone's stacked on and completely collaged it.  It usually gets buffed pretty quickly but it's great interaction.


I truly believe that street art makes the world a better place, so I wanted to be part of turning this sometimes cold concrete grey city into a living breathing colourful and continually changing landscape in to an outdoor gallery for the people instead of a grid for corporations who get us to focus on their marketing and their "almighty" dollar.

My first sticker was a white cat with the text "Black Cat".  A lot of people ask why I create a white cat for Black Cat.  My cat is a fairer skinned indigenous cat like me; I wanted to put up a sticker that represented me like it was an introduction "Hi!  I'm here!".


Stencil, stickers of pasteups: do you have a preference or do they simply "present" themselves once you have formulated a theme

I love stickers!  Stickers are the best!  I love them because you can get a heap up at a time, so it increases the audience.  You can sticker up numerous stickers before you have even finished rolling paste on a wall or cut out a stencil. 

I also dislike cutting out stencils...too many years of gaming....my hands are stuffed!

I do like experimenting and love the variety that making stickers gives you.  For instance: the canvas...stickers, vinyl, shipping labels, anything sticker you can get your hands on.

The materials you can choose to create with: such as spray paint, block paint, lino prints, screen prints, digital prints.

Then finding the perfect place for them: I think the cool thing about the street is that while anything in a gallery space allows the work to speak for itself, it's the street that adds context: humour, rebellion, surprise, impact etc.  

A gallery is very static while the streets change and move and I love it when I see a sticker that has been left up for ages with the rain washing out all the colour, or it has faded over time from the sun: torn and weathered over time.


Even if it is capping an advertisement in a particular place it could totally change the meaning of the image.

Stickers never get boring.  I love seeing other street art stickers' progression: how the characters or lettering develop and change over time.  It's fun to put your sticker next to theirs and they will hopefully see it as you saying "hi" on the streets, then meeting them at a street art exhibition and say "oh so it's you who does those cute little characters"!

I haven't traded stickers much since I started but if you have the cash and send packs with some extra prints it's amazing when you receive return packs from all over the world.

When I was in primary school I used to write letters a lot to friends in Spain and Melbourne and I used to love checking the letterbox and receiving mail that was personal, pretty, colourful and fun.  People don't send letters anymore, so it (receiving sticker packs) is a return to that excitement of receiving mail that isn't just bills and junk mail.

Who or what inspires your creativity

I am inspired by computer game graphics, comic books, art books and looking at other peoples art.  So far I have created a few different cats and some stencils/paste ups of images that I think look iconic and strong.  They appeal to me, so I hope they appeal to other people.


Collab or solo

As my partner is a street artist too, we collaborate quite a bit in the process of making them (stickers, paste ups etc).  For instance, we might choose to lino print stickers so we will sit and cut out our prints at the same time and give each other suggestions.  

We have done a few collab stickers and I am definitely interested in collaborating with other artists more.

I also collaborate with my crew at Cherrybombs.  Admittedly not as much as I would like...mostly we are in different states and countries, but we have a couple of crew stickers we put up.


Massive shoutout to Beryl, Kwad, Missfit, Pat and Kicks!  You can check out their incredible work at our Cherrybombs page "here".

What can we expect to see from BlackCat in the near future

For "pasteys" (as I like to call them), I am keen to create warrior superhero women images.  For stickers I am currently working to refine my prowess in digital art on Illustrator and Photoshop.

I also dabble in photography so you my might encounter my photos in an exhibition or two.



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A perfect ending for a perfect interview with the feline provocateur known BlackCat with enormous thanks for giving the 2095'er time, insight and sharing some photos for this interview!




Sunday, August 4, 2013

PM3

For followers of the 2095'ers ramblings, it would be difficult to not to acknowledge the fact that PM3 had a major impact upon her life as a streetart photographer.

Prior to first visit she had heard various comments by some that it wasn't "their scene" in that it wasn't "street" enough for them.  Being a fairly philosophical person, the 2095 chick did not let this influence her at all: in fact it was the opposite.  And besides, why would you not want to to see something that was street, with its stage being a world heritage listed island in the middle of Sydney Harbour!

Undeterred, the 2095'ers maiden voyage to Cockatoo Island was on the official opening day.  While she had been aware that installations & PM3 starting before the official start date, for some inexplicable reason the chick elected to not go and upon reflection she still is unable to pinpoint exactly why.

No need to dwell or attempt self-analysis (cause this could go on for eternity!) the main point is that she got there.

After exploring the exterior and needing to have a breather, the 2095'er swivelled her head and there it was.  In ya face, drowning with layers, an explosion of colour, HUGE pasteups and in the midst of it all it was.....total silence.  

A complete contradiction of the senses in an almost blissfully suffocating way.








As with most experiences the desire to share via slideshow was a no-brainer. Inspired, feeling incredibly excited and proud that the Aussies were showing the world "how it was done", each sound bite expresses the 2095 chick emotions at time of "production" (or reflection as the case may be).

One must be patient given there are 4 in total and even then they do not cover every frame captured.









Inside came a need to capture as many images of PM3 as humanly possible in an almost obsessive nature.  

Perhaps deep down the 2095'er understood that this may be a one time experience and as it was quasi-street, where things can change daily, such was the desire to capture these changes: hence multiple returns became almost a way of life for the chick.

An intense feeling of sadness and grief overcame the 2095'er at the end of this amazing experience.  Initially excited that the new date had been released the 2095'er could barely contain her excitement at what would be on show at the next Outpost.  Sadly this was not meant to be.  

For reasons that still perplex her, the 2095 chick "got" that the honchos (or those with the moula to fund such an 'exhibition') felt it was time to take away from the artists and transform this "test" to how THEY perceived it should be thus removing entirely what street and art is really all about.

The 2095 chick remains incredibly sad as it seems (or at least in the 2095'ers humble opinion) that the arts are once again left on the side burner by those with the dosh who have some inane feeling of "ownership" and remove the opportunity to educate those who may not fully understand what street art is all about.

On a personal level they have removed the opportunity for the 2095'er (and others) to explore, admire and become hopelessly lost within the world of streetart in a single location.

As such we must thank Ben Frost, Konsumterra and all that contributed to PM3.  The 2095'er must also personally thank each and every artist that she has now become familiar with on a more personal level for without PM3 she may not be able to do her blogs.

As she has a ridiculously high number of images (and even now, they are still not all uploaded) feel free to check out the 2095'ers PM3 set "here" but be mindful that while images remain the property of the 2095'er the actual paste ups remain the property of the artist/s.