Dla1 - Graffiti Artist Interview

December 2008

Interview with Dla1, a graffiti artist from Inverness in Scotland who runs various youth graffiti workshops.

How old are you?

38.

Where are you based?

Inverness, Scotland.

How long have you been painting / writing?

On and off since late 80's.

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

I got into tagging through friends who were into skateboarding and got then into painting through authentic people.

Where did you paint your first piece?

It's been a lot of first pieces, many attempts before I assimilate it. One of the first attempts was under a motorway bridge, an AIR piece.

How would you describe your style?

Kinda middle school, hybrid style, loch ness style!

How did you choose the name Dla1?

Delirium Ludico Alternative.

Do you write under any other names?

…ehmmm… no.

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

No crew. I am looking for people to collaborate with though… digital… walls… paint.

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've been painting in Liege (Belgium), Firenze (Italy), obviously France, Dundee (Scotland) and recently I went to run a workshop in Shetland where I painted a piece in Scalloway Harbour which got great feedback from the locals. It's funny to see how people from remote areas react… with a kinda fresh look to it.

What are you feelings on the graffiti scene in Scotland at present?

Well alive and well tight! Big up to Mr. Vera from the Scottish graffiti blog and mad props to Gazmac from Glasgow.

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

Ooh man, no graffiti here, I just can't get enough of that urban art… but yeah… eventually I became part-time and freelance, looking after my 16 month old daughter the rest of my time. I think it takes longer if you don't go with the flow. From a style point of view I remember we all started tagging together, then I was doing abstract paintings when everyone else was at block letters, then when they were at semi-wildstyle I was on photoshop and now when I am doing community workshop they are doing custom toys exhibition… it's all good!

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

Definately the balance that I found since I've met my partner Angela and the challenge of being a dad.

You run a lot of youth graffiti workshops, what made you decide to do this and what kind of people usually attend these workshops?

In 1995 I got into an art school in France but I didn't last long there, after 3 months I had give up because I didn't get on with the teachers and that's when the workshops started.

In 2000 I travelled in Scotland and ended up staying, it was there I ran my first workshops in English (stencil on t-shirt) which was hectic as I had to get somebody to translate because the kids didn't have a clue what i was talking about. Then came the "long break", I couldn't teach because couldn't talk so I did a few flyers for hip-hop parties… nothing much… shitee jobs… untill a couple of years ago. It's more a social job nowadays as I'm getting a lot of kids who have been excluded from schools, homeless young adults, trouble makers. Usually if a community center is planning a day out then you can be sure am getting all the kids that nobody else wants but I enjoy it and it's good to see them understanding the process and learning about handystyles, letter structure, effects, outlines, 3D, backgrounds, etc.

Has anyone that has attended any of your workshops gone on to bigger and better things?

Now and then I'm getting teenagers who are planning to go to art school and they are attending the workshop to fill up their portofolio but I don't stay in touch with them.

How have you found the experience of running the workshops and is it something you would recommend other artists to get involved in?

I think it's a good way to pay for the paint, the only thing is to be carefull not to let the commissions eat up all your time and still do your own stuff next to it! Think forward, don't involve too many kids and always keep in mind the level expected.

I notice on your website you have work a lot with French artists, how did these French connections come to be?

Some friends, some people I've painted with, some good websites and some people I admire…

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

Good for them! Graffiti is about that visual scream and starving artists needs to be louder so that people from up there on the art scene can't ignore them anymore.

Graffiti is about that visual scream and starving artists needs to be louder so that people from up there on the art scene can't ignore them anymore.

Dla1

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 am not ready to give 50 percent of my feelings to merchants.

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

Probably the internet. From a global point of view and from a local side writerz are just getting more mature. Graffiti is a young art movement where some of the oldest writers are in their 40's (except Seen bless him) and so there is so much more to come. The level has improved so much in the last 20 years… it's in your face.

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?

Yeah, it's bit like saying graffiti ok as long as it's a nice graffiti… it sounds a bit racist!

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

I am getting older and the policemen are getting younger… can't stand guilty the syndrome anymore! I like to work on details on my pieces and that takes time.

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

Very often the police turn up and check for authorisation and then they go because they can't do anything about it on private property.

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

A painter.

Which other artists work do you admire?

Just now I really like:

• Darkelixir
• Waterone
• Joker

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

All of the TSH Crew (The Silent Heroes) all timers IN A BIG JAM!

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Montana Alien… best cans ever.

What is your colour of choice?

Colours are like music notes, you need a few together to get harmony!

What kind of music are you into?

• Electronic
• Acid Jazz
• Drum and Bass
• Ambient Dance
• Instrumental Hip-Hop
• Chillout
• I'm a big fan of the label Ninja Tune

What is the last album you bought?

"Radio Retaliation" - Thievery Corporation

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

Just started a new wall with a recycling theme.

Anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for your time and the interview… peace… ce bon vieux Dla!

For further information about Dla1 please visit:

Dla1 Profile

Dla1 Website

http://graffitiartist.org

Dla1 YouTube Channel

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