Hello My Name Is: Sam

Name: Sam
City/Country: Petrozavodsk, Russia.
When did you start writing? ‘02/’03

What’s graffiti for you? Life, letters, all my thoughts, all my spare time.

Influences? For several years, I try as little as possible to look at others and seek new forms in the outside world.

Tell us about your city, how is life and graffiti there? There’s nothing to say, seriously. If a person wants to understand the situation in my hometown, they have to live somewhere in Russia, and I don’t mean Moscow or St Petersburg. Among of 270 000 population of my town there are slightly a few, I mean, like, 3-4 people who paint. And from year to year they disappear.

What keeps you still writing? I believe, that it’s possible to find, imagine and create something really new and original. And I have to admit the fact that I’ve seen not so much in graffiti and moreover there are a lot of things I’ve never tried. Can’t imagine my life without drawing, without graffiti.

What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track? The first time I saw some pieces on TV when I was 7. Then, for sure, I tried to copy that on paper, firstly. There were nothing on the walls that time in my city, but some awkward music band names. And, finally, I got my first spray-can when I was 10.

What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like? I can’t say, because of the abundance of all that is happening in the graffiti world, some trends do not notice, all do what they want.

What do you do when you’re not painting? Uhm, actually now I’m only painting.

How would you describe your style? This is the letter in it’s different manifestations, the combination of many layers of characters in a single font compositions.

Can you remember the first piece you did? I’m 10 years old, I’m doing a piece on the garage. Two colors of a shitty paint.

Future plans? Paint more, much more and more than much more! And also travel a lot, visit those countries in Europe that has not been, visit New York.

Do you adapt your pieces and tags to the spot/surface? Sure. It’s essential for me the chosen place and the surface.

What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city? They don’t respect what they do, have no idea of it’s history, don’t wanna learn anything new about graffiti in it’s current phase. I’m disappointed, because all of us now have loads opportunities to develop and grow.

What are the best and worst aspects of graffiti? My favs are communication and free play/freedom of action. I totally dislike health issues in the future.

Who do you paint for? It depends on what I draw, mainly because I like it (do it for myself). plus is the attention of others.

What writers have inspired you? Inspire those who make a lot of time, quantity, high quality and fully immersed in their work.

Can you ever feel tired of graffiti? Nope. It becomes more interesting for me from year to year.

What do you hope people will think and feel when they see your stuff? Hope they’ll find something new for themselves.