AME72 - Graffiti Artist Interview

July 2008

Interview with AME72, a graffiti and stencil artist also known as the "Lego Guy", who was a contributor to Banksys Cans Festival.

"Corporate Ladder" by AME72

How old are you?

Thirty something.

Where are you based?

Tel Aviv at the moment.

How long have you been painting / writing?

24 years.

How did you get into graffiti and what made you start painting?

Started after watching the film "Beat Street", that was the first time I'd ever seen graffiti and just thought 'that looks like fun' so I gave it a go.

Where did you do your first piece?

I spent 3 hours one night doing a huge piece in chalk at my old school in Poynton, came to school early the next morning to find the caretaker has washed it all off, first and last time I used chalk.

How did you choose the name AME72?

It's a derivative of my real name.

Do you write under any other names?

No.

Which other artists work do you admire?

If I had to narrow down a long list then the final two would be Rolf Harris and Bob Ross.

You were one of the artists who hit the public walls at Banksys' "Cans Festival", have you found that after painting there people have become more interested and curious about your work or has getting involved opened any other doors for you?

Not so much opened doors but certainly generated more interest, I also hooked up with a few peeps I'd met in Bethlehem so it was definitely worth the trip.

Have you got more into stencil work rather than traditional graffiti nowadays?

I wouldn't say I'm more into the stencils than graff, the stencil work is taking up most of my time at present but I'll still be dropping a few more graff pieces before the year end.

Have you done many collaborations with artists overseas or travelled abroad for your art and if so then where is the most exciting or interesting place you have painted?

Aside from the UK I've done stuff in…

USA
Spain
Thailand
Israel
Egypt
Bulgaria
Switzerland
Australia

Most interesting location - Bulgaria, I stuck up a "Warning - Peace" at the top of the highest mountain in Borovets.

"Warning - Peace" by AME72

"Lego Man" by AME72

You often use a Lego man in your work, is there any reason for this?

The Lego man represents the kid who never grew up and got away with everything, it's also something that everyone can relate too.

My neighbour keeps reminding me of the little Lego guy who smiles at him every morning on the way to work.

Has graffiti become a full-time career for you now and if so was it a long journey to get to this stage?

It's been pretty much full time for the past 4-5 years, most of which has felt like a long walk though tar, there have been tough times but things are now heading in the right direction.

Is there any one point in your career you would class as 'your big break'?

Still pending…

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

Doing the Rubiks Cube in under a minute.

Off the street it's art, on the street it's 'creative vandalism'
AME72

There seems to be a very fine line between those who see graffiti as art and those who see it as vandalism, what are your views on this?

Off the street it's art, on the street it's 'creative vandalism'.

What do you think of the way grafitti is just as likely to be found in a gallery as on the streets these days?

Graffiti has been in galleries since the 80's so nothing new there, it's just more popular nowadays. The only gallery shows I oppose are those done by artists who sit at home, paint pretty pictures, put it in a gallery and call it graffiti.

Have you had your work displayed in a galleries and if so is there any one exhibition that stands out from all the rest?

I've done shows in various galleries but the one which stands out has to be the first show I did at the Cube in Leeds back in 2001… it was a group show full of fine artists and I just painted the word 'URBAN' in wildstyle letters across a 4 piece canvas set, I don't think anyone understood what it was.

Do you see yourself as an artist or a graffiti writer?

My mum once said to me "when you're 70 you'll be an old vandal", so I guess I'm a 'graffiti artist'.

Have you ever 'felt the long arm of the law' because of your art?

Let's put it his way, I've never been arrested.

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

Illegal pieces are more fun, you don't get the adrenalin rush doing legal stuff.

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

Yes and no. I'm not one for walking around in public with a loud speaker, but if asked, I'll openly admit to being 'The Lego Guy'.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Spray paint.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

The "Ode To Bode" I did last year. I'd waited over 20 years to paint a Bode so for me, personally, it had to be something above and beyond what I'd painted before and I think it was.

"Ode To Bode" by AME72

What kind of music are you into?

House and trance / oldskool goodies by Knite Force.

What are you working on currently and what plans do you have for the future?

At present I'm playing around with bits of plastic and working on the new space for Legal Action Gallery. As for the future, I have a few things in the pipeline at the moment, let's just wait and see what happens…

Anything else you would like to add?

If it looks legal it probably isn't, if it looks illegal it probably is.