Hello My Name Is: Teazer

Name: Teazer
Crew: Stay Gold, MOC
City/Country: Byron Bay, Australia
When did you start writing? 1989

What’s graffiti for you?
Primarily a good New York style (or Sydney Public Style) lettering, I think production painting is the best way to compliment good letters, and add more appeal for the viewer. Characters and Background all emphasise the Letters. Nowadays you can even rock a good character with flare, and all of the attributes of the medium of spray paint, and it can be dope and to me be classified as graffiti.

Influences?
I am influenced by fantasy and sci-fi art; Frazetta, Bisley, Vallejo. Skateboard and Tattoo culture, and International Style Writing.

Tell us about your city, how is life and graffiti there?
Byron Bay is dope, It is a beach town, with beautiful hinterland, climate and lifestyle, More emphasis on quality of life, rather than just survival, and day to day grind. I feel like you can get more done here without distraction. We (me and @secretduck) basically paint whatever we want, legal or illegal, Actually most of our production walls began illegal, without permission. We would just rock up and look professional, and do quality productions, And people would simply say keep up the good work.

What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track?
Striving to do better and better work, develop an individual style, and try to stay fresh and express different ideas and themes that I personally resonate with or have some social relevance. I was first interested in the act of vandalism, fucking shit up, and getting known, It was a type of protection in the early 90’s traveling the city circle and other lines, kids would respect you if they knew your name, and you would have an automatic connection, alternatively if they didn’t know you, then could jack you for your clothes and sneakers. Kids would literally end up in there boxer shorts. I actually tried to quit graffiti a few times but always came back to it.

What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like?
I’m not really into the social media game, of jocking other writers and artists, and playing games. I’ve never really conformed to popular opinion or expectation or bowed down to anyone, I will treat everyone as an equal, and always stay true to myself and always call it how I see it.

What do you do when you’re not painting?
Fitness, motorbikes, Bmx, skating, Bodyboarding, Collecting skateboards, Gardening and cleaning shit.

How would you describe your style? Newyork Public /semi wildstyle.

Can you remember the first piece you did?
Yes, a trackside in Bondi Junction Sydney, I tried to do a piece, character and background for my first piece. Lol. We then got a chase by this strange rail cart, with a security guard on it, So it was kind of unfinished.

Future plans?
Some exciting alliances in 2019 and beyond. More travel adventures, and exploring different mediums.

Do you adapt your pieces and tags to the spot/surface?
I feel like subconsciously I will suss out a spot, go away and do a sketch and colour scheme for it, and when I’ve flicked it, I realise its taken all of the colours in the surrounding area into account, weather a high contrast, or a monochromatic match. It makes me think how much subconscious thought comes into the creative process.

What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city?
I think there will always be the up and coming bombers in any city, that are resentful or frustrated about Legal pieces, recently we had some kids blowing up at us, that we take all the spots. Then someone said to me, since when has getting up too much been a thing to hate on as a writer?! Pretty funny really, I think you can get up more these days by just getting permission or getting paid to do a wall, but ive got no problem just painting anything I feel like J.

What are the best and worst aspects of graffiti?
Graffiti saved my life, and sent me on more of a creative path, rather than more of a criminal path. It is a creative outlet. It is a reason to travel, a way of meeting people; Art is a vehicle that can take you around the world and on adventures you would never experience without it. The problems of Addiction and alcoholism. L Sheep mentality, gossip and ignorance. Even if they can paint, people like this are toys!

Who do you paint for?
Myself/ cultural contribution in my community and hopefully to raise frequency and inspire others.

What writers have inspired you? Crime In Style, Dmote, Atome, Spice, Peque, Secret, Slick, Cantwo, Mad C, Bates, Rens, Tiws, Soten, Slider, Kaisy, Puaks, Tones, Insane51, the list goes on and on.

Can you ever feel tired of graffiti?
Sometimes, if I fall into a rut and stop pushing forward, then at times a friend will inspire me again, And reignite the spark.

What do you hope people will think and feel when they see your stuff?
Fuuuuuckkkkk! Hahaha, ive learnt that people have good defences to anything that challenges to lift their frequency, they can easily shut it out and stay inside there little box. J I did it for years!

FIVE FAVORITES
Spray Paint: Molotow and Flame
City: Berlin
Markers/pens: Molotow
Surface: brick & concrete
Cap: Pink Dot

Website: www.staygoldstudio.com.au 
Instagram: @_teazer_