Hello My Name Is: Yokos

Name: Yokos
Crew: TSK
City/country: I’m from a small village near Barcelona.
When did you start writing? 2003 / 2004

What’s graffiti for you?
Illegal! write my name at the best spots were many people can see it! Also time, dedication, risk, adrenalin, friends and lots of laughts… FUN!

Influences?
For the aesthetic I really like New York graffiti from the 70’s and 80’s but the Important ones have been my friends, especially Rallye and Side. Our styles are completely different but they are the main guiltys that i do what I’m doing.

Tell us about your city, how is life and graffiti there?
Regarding what I said before, I live in a little town with not much graffiti, but there are some good writers in the zone like Rallye, Morta, Egno… and many others who stopped to paint but they were really active years ago like Maky, Kadef, Ases, Kaz… Also some really active kids. Life is so quiet, not much people, no traffic, not much police, no pollution…Live’s good!

What keeps you still writing?
I don’t know and I don’t care. It’s something I like, that simple.

What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track?
I don’t know exactly why I started. I Always loved to draw. Tags and pieces in the streets takes my attention, the feeling to be outlaw and hide yourself behind a nickname for the “fame” you can get after bomb as possible. And I tried it!

What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like?
If I’m honest, I am not really in the “graffiti world”. I go with my friends, I do my things. I can see a lot of gossip and people talking bullshit. Maybe the worst is the fake people, the one’s who only moves for interest. But you also can find them in and out of graffiti.

What do you do when you are not painting?
Work (when I can), chill with my girlfriend, my friends, watch TV, draw… Life!

How would you describe your style?
Simple, without special effects. Easy to read and with a short color scheme. I like to be coherent with my style but trying to don’t be repetitive doing different things each time.

Can you remember the first piece you did?
I remember more the moment than the piece. Only I know it was a disaster.

Future plans?
I live day by day. Maybe travel more…

Do you adapt your pieces and tags to the spot/surface?
Not especially.

What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city?
One day there are many new writers, luckily the next day you are alone again. Most of them don’t respect, only some lasts.

What are the best and worst aspects of graffiti?
The worst is to be arrested and the best the chance to be arrested! LOL! Don’t sleep, don’t eat, the frozen nights and the pleasure to remember all this later warm in the bed watching the photos from the action, thats priceless. The worst and the best goes hand by hand I guess.

Who do you paint for?
For who can see it and for myself. I paint for everybody, like it or not. The more people that can see it the better! But mainly for me. I like to see my name and my pieces all around, when I take the train, when I drive…

What writers have inspired you?
From when I began until now too many. Nowadays, like I said before, I like the early graffiti, writers from the 70’s and 80’s like Blade, Cliff, Iz the Wiz, Billy 167, King 2, Mark… and many times my pieces are a tribute to them.

Can you ever feel tired of graffiti?
I don’t know, maybe, but right now it’s difficult. But live takes many turns and you never know what can happen tomorrow. Time will tell.

What do you hope people will think and feel when they see your stuff?
I don’t care. If they like it, perfect. I just want the people to see it and read it. But its cool when the people appreciate your stuff. Anyway, I want to write my name in their brains. The worst is the indifference.

FIVE FAVOURITES
Spray paint: Montana Mega
City: I don’t have a favorite one, maybe Barcelona. It’s closer.
Markers/pens: Uni Paint
Surface: Metal
Cap: Fat Pink

Instagram: @guaistyle