Name: Pako
Crew: Street Magic
City/Country: Kiev, Ukraine
When did you start writing? Sketches since 1999, first piece around 2000
What’s graffiti for you?
Friends, fun, passion, graffiti makes me feel forever young! It has become an important part of my life.
Influences?
Art, design, illustrations, music, movies, friends, mood… I think that everything that surrounds me somehow affects me and what I do.
Tell us about your city, how is life and graffiti there?
Kiev is the biggest and noisy city in the country, but I like it here, life is constantly boiling. It’s clear that that here is the biggest and most varied graffiti scene.
What keeps you still writing?
While I can move further and develop new stuff, there is no reason to stop!
What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track?
I was excited with magic of spray paint on the wall, and fun with designing the letters in the beginning. After all these years nothing changes.
What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like?
I do not pay attention on shitty stuff. And checking only good shit!
How would you describe your style?
I am working in two directions now, straight futuristic letters and curly creepy stuff. It depends of mood what I will do next time.
Can you remember the first piece you did?
Yeah, it was “Mars” piece with green alien character, did it with my friends and shitty cans. It was really ugly piece, but I was totally happy with it.
Future plans?
Develop new styles, paint more graffiti, travel and meet more friends.
Do you adapt your pieces and tags to the spot/surface?
For sure, it’s important.
What do you do when you’re not painting?
Working, chilling, drawing. But everything is somehow connected to my graff life.
What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city?
It’s good that they are. I would like to hear more new names. Of course there is some bad issues with young generation, like everywhere I guess. Stupidity, lack of respect to each other, addiction to internet fame, everyone wants to get everything with no struggle. But there is still a lot of young guys with right attitude.
What are the best and worst aspects of graffiti?
The best thing for me is friendship. Graffiti gives you opportunities to meet new interesting people, who have the same state of mind, and share your vision. The bad thing is that with the age it becomes harder to mix it with your regular life. And for sure health problems because of spray paint.
Who do you paint for?
Definitely there is a lot of people whose opinion is important for me. But in the end I do it only for myself.
What writers have inspired you?
If I’ll start listing I will forget someone for sure. Too many of them!
Can you ever feel tired of graffiti?
Nope.
What do you hope people will think and feel when they see your stuff?
For sure I hope everyone is enjoying what they see. But I don’t think about that much. Even if everyone likes my stuff , there always be a couple people who hate it.
FIVE FAVORITES
Spray Paint: Montana Black
City: Odessa
Markers/pens: Any
Surface: Any
Cap: Original cap
Instagram: @Pakooner
Facebook: @Pakothebeholder
