Dones - Graffiti Artist Interview

July 2008

Interview with Dones, a UK graffiti artist who is a member of the AD Crew.

How old are you?

Early 20's.

How long have you been painting / writing?

Not that long, around four years.

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

I'd always been fascinated by these mysterious letters and forms that appeared on the walls but I didn't have a clue how it was done and who these names belonged to. I didn't know anyone painting so I got some supplies and went out on a lot of solo missions. After a year or so I got to know more and more writers and it all went from there really.

How did you choose the name Dones?

It evolved from seeing my old name everywhere I walked in the little town I was stuck in, I'd walk past an see that wall had been done, kind of like a check list… it's obvious but it works for me.

Do you write under any other names?

Just Done and Dones.

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

Yeah, I recently joined AD Crew with Angel an Any1 - it's early days so far but we're trying to put together something a bit different, so keep an eye out!

Which other artists work do you admire?

Worldwide there's far too many to mention.

Have you ever done any collaborations with artists overseas or travelled abroad to paint?

Not as yet but I've got a couple of trips in the pipeline for this summer though, Paris and Barcelona hopefully, which I'm looking forward to. I'll definitely have to collaborate with some writers there.

What are your feelings on the UK graffiti scene at the moment?

Haven't been involved long enough to really comment but I've met some great people and seen some great art.

I'd like to see more diversity and more respect but that's just my preference.

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

Nah, I'd love to pay the bills through my art but at the same time I don't want to sell my soul for a few quid. If the jobs right I'll do it but there isn't a lot of those at the moment so I just got to keep progressing and hope one day my art will do more than put beer in my belly and cheap fags in my pocket.

I'm at the start of this journey at the moment so it will be interesting to see where my morals stand when reality kicks in.

Have you done much commercial work and if so which would you class as the most well known?

Nah. It depends what you mean by commercial work? I've exhibited in galleries and done some commissions but nothing that you would have seen.

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

I wouldn't say I have a greatest achievement as such… anytime I paint with artists or writers I respect, anytime I do something that I walk away not being pissed off with, anytime I get offered something decent because of the work I produce, anytime I get out of bed before midday… these are all achievements to me.

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?

Well the word graffiti and the word vandalism are too ambiguous to make any black and white definition between. Grouping graffiti in with all other forms of vandalism automatically denies graffiti of any legitimacy to those who are unable to make a definition, there are many factors and individual circumstances that define graffiti from vandalism in different situations.

Grouping graffiti in with all other forms of vandalism automatically denies graffiti of any legitimacy to those who are unable to make a definition, there are many factors and individual circumstances that define graffiti from vandalism in different situations.

Dones

Having said that there is always an aesthetic of vandalism in graffiti… I think graffiti can be ugly and beautiful, art and vandalism all at the same time. I don't understand the need to label it as art or vandalism, why cant it be both?

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

I think that aerosols are a valid media, like any other, but people need to differentiate between graffiti in its true context and aerosol art. To dismiss it because of its associations with something they can't understand is only limiting the potential of art. I can understand why people within graf disagree with putting aerosol to canvas, as long as the walls are still being painted I don't see the problem.

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

I've taken part in a few joint exhibitions but nothing that stands out for me.

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

I've always drawn but was never really inspired until I started painting walls. I wouldn't call myself either but i guess I'm a bit of both, along with being vandal and a pretentious prick all at the same time.

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

Yes.

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

Legal yards are a great opportunity to relax, take your time and create your best work technically but I think the final piece looses something in translation. When you enter a hall of fame you see some amazing work but it's more fun to go and look for a piece or stumble upon it. The work has more character and depth if it's somewhere with an atmosphere, which a lot of the legal spots don't have. I prefer to find abandoned buildings, or chilling spots, where they still have an atmosphere but I can take my time.

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

Yeah, wherever it's possible. It becomes a bit harder when trying to exhibit or promote yourself as an artist but I don't run my mouth about what I do, I like the anonymity too much.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

I use all sorts but I like the challenge of using aerosols so I work with them as often as possible.

What kind of music are you into?

Everything from hip-hop to duelling banjos.

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

I got a few things on the go at the moment; I'm currently learning how to tattoo which is a lot of fun and something completely new for me, I've been drawing up some tattoo flash and I've been asked to take part in a couple of joint exhibitions for the summer so I'm pretty busy at the moment.

Anything else you would like to add?

Yea big up the Anarchy Massive. Shout outs to AD Crew, Emptea and everyone else that I've met and painted with… Oh, and everyone I've talked shit with at The Phantom.

For further information about Dones please visit:

Dones Profile

Dones MySpace Page

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