Indie184 - Graffiti Artist Interview

March 2009

Interview with Indie184, a female graffiti artist from the Bronx who represents KD Crew, 156 Crew and IBM Crew. As well as working on her street wear brand, "Kweenz Destroy", Indie184 has even managed to leave her mark in the virtual world of GTA 4.

How old are you?

I am 28 years old baby!

Where are you based?

Based in the boogie down Bronx… New York City always!

How long have you been painting / writing?

I've been getting up since 2001.

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

Graffiti has been my backdrop since I was a little girl. Growing up all over New York City I've always been fascinated by the magic mystery of graffiti.

When I lived on East 167 Street in the Bronx, my bedroom window faced the front of the Top Video rental gate that had a big character by TRACY168, I went to the public library to do research and saw that it was the same one that appeared on "Spray Can Art" years before. Reading "Spray Can Art" and "Subway Art" blew me away. I started putting pieces to the puzzle together and then in 2001 I finally got to meet writers such as CEAZE MSK, CASINO142 and BAZE PCB.

Where did you paint your first piece?

I painted my very first piece in a schoolyard in Washington Heights, I used Krylon flat black and fluorescent pink! It was before I used my Indie moniker… I wouldn't even say what I wrote… it was terrible! Ha ha!

How would you describe your style?

Right now I'm figuring things out as I go, although I do love NY simple style… that style has the most impact on me because when you have a wall of burners that simple style just stands right off the wall. As time progresses I hope to evolve into a style of my own.

How did you choose the name Indie184?

I got Indie from the Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom movie, his nickname, and the 184 is just block that I grew up in Washington Heights… uptown Manhattan.

Do you write under any other names?

I played around in the beginning with my real name and then other bullshit toy names but nothing worth mentioning.

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

I rep for KD Crew and 156 Crew and most recently IBM Crew.

You often paint with graffiti legend Cope2, how did the two of you meet and begin working together?

Of course I grew up seeing his throw ups everywhere. I would hear stories about him… the good, the bad and the crazy. Finally as fate would have it I met him while I helped some friends paint a mural at Hunts Point in the Bronx, he showed up to meet ACB (rip) and I was stoked that I finally met him.

I really got to talk to him in Philadelphia at The B-Boy BBQ in 2004. He signed my blackbook and I disappeared… I heard he was trying get the scoop on me! LOL! As fate would have it he got my number and surprised me with some outlines… next thing I know I'm busting' out a wall with him, Trap and Fever in the Bronx and the rest is history!

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

Berlin was a great experience for me, the Yard5 Summer Jam, not only did I get to paint with many talented writers and crazy spots, I also got to bomb the Berlin wall!

How often do you travel abroad for your art?

2008 was record! I travelled over 10 times internationally. I hope 2009 is just as nice!

Graffiti is oppressed and not appreciated here. The government is really being efficient with abolishing graffiti – both legal and illegal.

Indie184

What are your feelings on the graffiti scene at in America and New York present?

Graffiti is oppressed and not appreciated here. The government is really being efficient with abolishing graffiti – both legal and illegal. Harsh jail time is being implemented on writers. One NY writer for example, OVIE1, got 2 to 4 years for graffiti on trains. To me it's just ridiculous, they should be out there stressing real criminals. Nonetheless, that doesn't stop writers from expressing themselves.

I guess things happen for a reason, graffiti is shifting more to the gallery, fashion and entertainment industries. Upgrades are always good!

You have done much commercial work in your time, what would you say was your most well known piece?

I haven't even started, but if you need an answer, perhaps it's the piece I did like the Indiana Jones logo font type.

Your graffiti can be found on the walls of streets in "Grand Theft Auto 4", how does it feel to have your work on the walls of a virtual world and how did you come to be involved in that project?

I basically answered their anonymous ad. I Didn't hear from them for a long time, I even forgot about the project and then they hit us up like ok we need this and that from you… which I found odd because out of all the images we gave them they ended up using the same stuff, which was annoying, but who cares?!? Our pieces and throw ups are all over world's best selling video game ever!!!

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 just the tip of the iceberg! I'm here for the long haul… I have so much to learn and so much to express. Everyday is a blessing that I get to do what I love. I want to evolve as much as possible both as an artist and businesswoman.

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

I don't think I'm there… yet!

How was your experience breaking onto the scene female graffiti writer and becoming successful in a mainly male dominated scene?

All good in the hood! I haven't heard any complaints… just the random hater, but hey, what can you expect? I still do what I have to do regardless, the transition has been a success so far.

What advice would you give to other up and coming female graffiti writers and artists out there?

Just be yourself, know your history and don't settle for less. Oh yeah… and put work in… it's not all cute and cupcakes all the time.

Do it because you want to, not because your boyfriend is a writer.

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

That I am a well rounded person.

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

As long as the artist is being real about whom they are and not perpetrating the fraud then its all gravy.

You have had your work displayed in galleries many times, is there any one exhibition that stands out from all the rest?

I would have to say it would be the "Come Correct" art exhibit in 2008. It was an absolute honor displaying my canvases along side of titans such as:

• Cope2
• Kaws
• Fafi
• West
• Claw Money
• T-Kid170

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

Graffiti has a certain "je ne sais quoi" about it, drawing outsiders to it's secret society. The public becomes intrigued with such propaganda inflicting artists.

Graffiti is a "young" art and still has to pay its' dues amongst society, its' time will come when hopefully the vast majority will respect it as an artform… whether legal or illegal.

Indie184

Even though graffiti seems to have been more widely accepted there still appears 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?

That's because people who just see it as vandalism are ignorant fools and see it as a broken window to ugliness and crime. There will always be such critics… it all balances it out.

Graffiti is a "young" art and still has to pay its' dues amongst society, its' time will come when hopefully the vast majority will respect it as an artform… whether legal or illegal.

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

My family is my number one priority, if I didn't have kids I would be bombing this entire planet! If I bomb hardcore here, there is a possibility I can have my kids taken away from me and there's no way in hell I'm going to let that happen! So to keep the sanity going and everything else in order I just paint legal walls when I'm home… but when I'm traveling abroad I do what I can.

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

Not really… not yet. I hope never!

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

I'm not a wanted vandal, but almost always because it's more about my art then me… however as I get older that might be changing that, hiding your face gets tiring. Back in the days hardcore writers wouldn't hide their faces so why should we now?

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

I see myself as both. I do pieces and I do tags and throw ups… I can make it grimy and I can make it pretty.

Which other artists work do you admire?

There are so many:

• Jean-Michel Basquiat
• Keith Haring
• Kehinde Wiley
• Takashi Murakami

…to name a few.

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

I would love to do a wall with Seen, Kaws and Futura 2000.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

I love fat drippy ink markers.

Do you have a favorite piece of all time?

I love the Cope2 whole car that appeared in "The Art Of Getting Over" book.

What kind of music are you into?

I love all kinds of music:

• Pop
• Rap
• Dance
• Rock

Anything and everything!

What is the last album you bought?

Last album I bought was "Ed Banger Records Volume 2" and "Best Of Diana Ross"… holler!

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

Currently curating a group exhibit at the McCaig & Wells Gallery in Brooklyn titled "Queens Arrive", the show will feature new works from international female graffiti artists.

Also I'm working on my street wear brand, Kweenz Destroy, set out to be released real soon!

Anything else you would like to add?

Thanks to you Canned Goods! Thanks to everyone for their LOVE and SUPPORT! Let's keep creating beautiful art for the kids!

For further information about Indie184 please visit:

Indie184 Profile

Indie184 Website

Indie184 Blog

Indie184 MySpace Page

Indie184 Flickr Photostream

• Bebo
• Del.ic.ious
• Digg
• Diigo
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon
• Twitter