Cenz - Graffiti Artist Interview

April 2009

Interview with Cenz, a London based graffiti artist who has been painting for over 20 years. Cenz used to paint with the legendary South London Assasins Crew and now runs a graffiti company called Positive Arts.

Graffiti piece by Cenz - London (2008)

How old are you?

33.

Where are you based?

South East London.

When did you begin painting graffiti?

I started painting when I was about 11 yrs old.

…I began experimenting with tags and it wasn't long before I was racking 'car plan' paint from the local shop and practicing in the park.
Cenz

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

When I was about 9/10 yrs old I was introduced to hip hop culture by my cousin, who was a bit older, and used to hang out with some big London writers like Fade 2 (Non Stop Artists). I then discovered the book "Subway Art" which I spent hours studying and copying from and became obsessed with graf. From then I began experimenting with tags and it wasn't long before I was racking 'car plan' paint from the local shop and practicing in the park.

Where did you paint your first piece?

My first piece was painted when I was 11 yrs old in a subway near where I lived. I think it said "Chance".

How would you describe your style?

My work is still very influenced by my 'old school' roots but is very 'new school' in its abstract and graphic nature. Over the years I have developed a unique style which focuses on symmetry, colour, form and tight line work. I work hard to make sure each piece painted is very individual in its letterforms and characters.

How did you choose the name Cenz?

Back in the days I used to write "Cence" so it is an abbreviation of that… also it means "sense" in French.

Do you write under any other names?

No.

Graffiti piece by Cenz - London (2007)

Graffiti piece by Cenz - London (2009)

Do you write with any crews and if so which ones?

Not anymore. Back in the 90's I was in the legendary "ASSASINS" crew of South London alongside writers such Crymein, Strobe, Regret, Carve, Kondem, etc. Now days I mainly paint on my own but do occasionally hook up with other London artists for productions and commissions like Tizer One (ID Crew), Inkfetish, Pure One and Aero.

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?

I have painted in Europe a bit. Have done some cool stuff in Toulouse, France with Cern. My favourite place was in Poland on one of the longest European halls of fame alongside a motorway in Warsaw.

Where is the most obscure place you have ever left a tag or piece?

Even back in the days when I was bombing all the time I was never massively up and the most dangerous place I have painted was in the train lay-ups at night.

It may have to be tagging somebody's front door at 10 years old whilst doing my paper round! Ha! What an idiot!

What are you feelings on the graffiti and street art scenes in UK at present?

It is very healthy at the moment as lots of artists who have been doing their thing for years are finally getting looked at and recognised because it is now "trendy".

Have you ever done any commercial work and if so what would you say was your most well known piece?

Not really commercial or that well known just commissioned walls for pubs, restaurants, shops, etc.

Clothing shop commision by Cenz

White Hart Pub commision by Cenz - London (2008)

I understand that you have done quite a bit of work with young people as a community graffiti artist, how have you found that experience?

It is very rewarding to get kids with no direction to focus positively on their skills and to produce a great piece of artwork. It can be very therapeutic and beneficial to their self-esteem, etc. I am lucky to have a job where I give something back. Also it is good practice for me to painting every day.

Well, from early on I made the decision to try and make a living out of my graffiti art and I painted my first commissioned wall for a local primary school at 11 years old…
Cenz

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

Well, from early on I made the decision to try and make a living out of my graffiti art and I painted my first commissioned wall for a local primary school at 11 years old… this was thanks to the help of my parents, who tried to stop me getting arrested continuously and I am very lucky to have had their support. For several years I have been lucky enough to be making a full time living from my art. I run my own company "Positive Arts" doing legal graffiti art projects with young offenders etc and I get lots of commissioned work. At the moment I am painting everyday which is good!

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

It's not happened yet!

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

I don't have one. For me nothing is ever good enough and I am always striving to improve or do more, so I don't think there is such thing as a greatest achievement.

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken for your art?

Fucking up my education at school for it!

What are your thoughts on graffiti being just a likely to be found in a gallery as on the streets these days?

For me it has always been more than just an illegal street art form and so it is natural for it to be in galleries too… remember that there have been graffiti exhibitions since the late 80's in New York, so it's not a new thing.

Graffiti piece by Cenz - Betts Park (2009)

Graffiti piece by Cenz - London (2007)

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

I have only had exhibitions of my painting work, which is different to my graf. I had a couple of successful ones at the Red Gate Gallery, Brixton and Bodhi Gallery, Brick Lane in 2006.

There seems to have been a sudden surge of interest in graffiti and street art recently, why do you think this is?

Because of you know who!

Graffiti has been an art form for over three decades, so there is no excuse to view it as anything else but art.
Cenz

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

Graffiti has been an art form for over three decades, so there is no excuse to view it as anything else but art. The only problem in this country is that the general public don't get to see a proper street-side pieces, all they see is toy tags and boring chrome and black dubs. It's not very inspirational!

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

I can't afford to be doing illegal pieces anymore because of my community work! I do miss painting trains though!

Have you ever 'felt the long arm of the law' because of your art and if so can you tell us about it?

Back in the days I got arrested about seven times for graf until I had to go legit! Luckily then all you got were cautions!

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

No.

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

An artist.

Which other artists work do you admire?

There are loads of good graf artists, illustrators and fine artists. All these different fields influence me. In terms of graf I look at artists from all over the world but mainly European from Spain and France. For me you have to be doing something different, I like to see strong individual styles!

Graffiti piece by Cenz - Stockwell, London (2008)

"Urban Art" by Cenz - London (2007)

Graffiti piece by Cenz - Crystal Palace, London (2008)

Which other graffiti or street artist's artists would you most like to work with if given the chance?

Mmm… too many to name probably! Anyone doing anything different and well!

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Spray Paint.

What is your colour of choice?

Pastel petroleum blue.

What is your favourite surface to paint on?

A nice flat concrete wall.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

I don't think I have one, I only normally only like a piece for a couple of weeks after it's done - typical artist really!

What kind of music are you into?

Everything from 80's soul, funk, hip-hop, house, techno music and reggae… anything with soul basically!

What is the last album you bought?

Only really buy old albums… I think it was Talking Heads "Remain In Light" and Weather Report "Heavy Weather".

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

Just trying to paint at least a piece a week and work on developing my style more. Also I need to find time for more painting work because until am I happy with a body of work I wont be making any plans for a new show yet! Other than that always got others bits and bobs on the go.

Anything else you would like to add?

Just remember to check out my graf stuff out at: www.mrcenz.com.