Hello My Name Is: Askew [TMD, MSK, SUK]

Name: Askew One
Crew: TMD, MSK, SUK
City/Country: Auckland, New Zealand

When did you start writing: 1993

What’s graffiti for you? An outlet, a form of expression, something I did to define myself as a young person.

What do you do when you’re not painting? I’m a full time artist so when I’m not painting I’m doing stuff related to painting.

How would you describe your style? My graffiti is a balance of loose gestural painting, organic but at the core pretty traditional letter structure.

What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track? Growing up in Central Auckland in the 90’s, everyone seemed to have a tag. It was synonymous with being young in my city.

Is it important that people see your stuff and you get recognition? To be honest, that was a major motivator in the beginning but nowadays graffiti is quite personal for me. I still like to share it but recognition isn’t the motivator.

You been painting for a long time, is it the same feeling now as before? No it’s really different. you have to keep evolving for it to stay fresh.

What is your favorite city in the world and why? I love Detroit, LA & Papeete in Tahiti a lot. I also think Sydney in Australia is great.

What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like? I would say the current trend has gone much more towards bubbly hip graffiti that’s not so technical or rendered but I wouldn’t say I dislike it, it’s just not how I tend to paint. Things always go in cycles.

What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city? There’s a ver new crop that are becoming visible now, they’re all pretty good man. I don’t know a lot of the current generation but just glad to see graffiti come back to life in my city after the council really crushed it for the past 4 years.

Future plans? Just keep on my journey, I make art full time as I mentioned and there’s a lot in the way of studio and large outdoor work that’s really calling me right now. That’s why graffiti has become more of a release, a way for me to switch off and just feel rather than over think.

Website: www.askew1.com
Instagram: @Askewone
Tumblr: askewone.tumblr.com