Crack15 - Graffiti Artist Interview

October 2008

Interview with Crack15, a Spanish born graffiti artist now settled in London who paints with partner in crime Frame as FifteenFrames as well as being a member of the Los Domingos Al Sol Crew and Third-Decade Crew.

How old are you?

32.

Where are you based?

London.

How long have you been painting / writing?

Started in 1993 so around 15 years.

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

When I was a child I could see this huge wall from my parents house's balcony, it used to get painted every now and then by the old school writers from those days… I used to be out on the balcony watching every time I smelt the paint. Then some friends started painting and I got hooked… no turning back since.

Where did you paint your first piece?

That wall was the local hall of fame so I wouldn't be here right now if I had messed with it… I painted another wall nearby.

How would you describe your style?

I think I can do so many different things that I have no particular style, for better or worse.

I do 3D letters, wildstyle, bubble, organic, characters, realistic, cartoon… anything and everything.

How did you choose the name Crack15?

Saw it as an onomatopoeia in a comic book and I liked the sound of it, 15 was just a nice number to add it to it.

Do you write under any other names?

I wrote WILD a couple of times.

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

• FifteenFrames
• Los Domingos Al Sol
• Third-Decade

What are your feelings about the Spanish graffiti scene at present?

Never been better than now, we have artists recognized world-wide.

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?

The most chilled is always back home in Torrejon (Madrid), the best experience has to be in NYC and the overall best time in Malta.

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 a long journey and I'm still travelling.

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

2000 was the year when I moved to London and since then my 'career' has become more international, I'm travelling loads more and meeting people from many countries that have no doubt influenced somehow what I do. Not sure if that's a big break but the move definitely made more people look at my work and there's no doubt it's been an mind-opening experience.

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

Having met so many friends, visited so many places and having taken part in so many projects thanks to Graffiti.

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

There are so many variations and branches to it these days that it is impossible to stick to just one. There will always be illegal graff and there should always be. Exhibiting in galleries? Why not? We all would like to make a living out of it so that's just one way. The true essence will never be able to be represented in a gallery though, it cannot be caged. I agree with those that think that those pieces in a gallery are not graffiti, they're something else. Looks like graffiti, but it's not.

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

Not many to be honest. Never been too keen on canvases, I've always preferred the wall.

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?

It can be both at the same time. Art is 'whatever' inspires you and if that 'whatever' was produced by illegal means then that is secondary really.

Vandalising everyday-people's properties is not something that would make me proud. Corporations impose their money on us without asking first so they can have some of it… public spaces as well. I pay my taxes and nobody asks me how things should look so let's have our say. I'm not for random marking for the sake of it, as long as it's creative and fits a purpose then it's cool by me.

I pay my taxes and nobody asks me how things should look so let's have our say. I'm not for random marking for the sake of it, as long as it's creative and fits a purpose then it's cool by me.

Crack15

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

Nothing beats the adrenalin rush of illegal but I prefer bigger projects where I can take my time.

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

I had to run a few times but luckily I've always run faster!

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

People don't need to personally know about me, but I have no issues disclosing certain information when required.

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

Artist. I'm not a purist and I don't just write my name.

Which other artists work do you admire?

There is too much information nowadays so I voluntarily try not to keep up to date on what people are currently doing, this trend or the other. I admire the artists that inspired me when I was starting:

• My home town old school
• Mode2
• Zeta
• Delta
• Daim
• MAC Crew
• Swet
• Loomit
• Popay
• ABC

I also admire anyone who has managed to make a living out of this, especially those that managed to do so years ago when it wasn't so easy.

Which other graffiti artists would you most like to work with if given the chance?

Any of the ones above, but getting together with the crew and rocking a wall is also top of the list… it's not so much about names any more.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Spraycan.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

Yeah, but not many people would know about it.

What kind of music are you into?

A selection of everything, depends on the moment.

What is the last album you bought?

An old favourite… "Survival" - Bob Marley and The Wailers.

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

A lot of workshops these days and I'm also working on an update to my website:

www.crack15.com

Anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for the opportunity.

For further information about Crack15 please visit:

Crack15 Profile

Crack15 Website

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