Part2ism - Graffiti Artist Interview

March 2009

Interview with Part2ism, a UK graffiti artist who is one of the pioneers of photorealist graffiti. Part2ism is currently causing a stir in London with his "Tamara" pieces and his recent "Artillery For Pleasure" exhibition.

How old are you?

I'm 37 very soon.

Where are you based?

Yorkshire and London, depending on my various missions.

How long have you been painting / writing?

Since 1984.

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

Football hooliganism, writing Mods, The Jam and The Who everywhere. When I first saw what was happening on the New York trains it just blew my brain and then that was it. The future was already written.

Where did you paint your first piece?

On the side of a shopping arcade in chalk.

How would you describe your style?

Revolutionary! Rebelutionary! Art should grow in tandem with the artist's own personal evolution. I'm a fine art renegade and not a colluder of what outsiders label graffiti, street art or urban art .

The realisation of painting with aerosol cans in an inverse position was a fundamental innovation in the UK.

Part2ism

In the late 80's and early 90's you were one of the pioneers of photorealist graffiti, what was it that made you choose to work this way and who do you see as being the other artists that really pushed the boundaries of the photorealist style?

In the late 80's, as well as myself, artists such as Popz 100, System and Mercury were experimenting with iconic portrait style work. As I evolved with this style I began to incorporate other imagery such as jets, trains, insects, spheres and all kinds of juxtaposed paraphernalia. This is what I was describing with the photorealism title, the broader nature of it all as a style not just portraits. You could also credit LA's Hex and Slick and probably Goldie's "Future World Machines" era in the 80's along with TCA, Non Stop and London Giants. The realisation of painting with aerosol cans in an inverse position was a fundamental innovation in the UK.

How did you choose the name Part 2 and what made you make the transition to the name Part2ism?

Part 2 was a name that just seemed to resonate with me back in the day. As the years went by I started noticing the phonetic values of the name like pi (a infinite equasion) also the AR switches into RA and the T as an ank, plus the 2 equalling squared such as P Squared = Part 2 and so on. Part2ism was an evolution to the digital age and rooted in internet search engines, Part 2 doesn't search due to existing titles of books, films and various things released in parts or sequals. Nobody has a reason to add ism to Part 2 unless their Part 2 is actually the practice or activism. Not trying to be deep anyway?

Do you paint under any other names?

Unregistered names are occasionally used, yes.

Are you affiliated with any graffiti crews and if so which ones?

I'm still friends with people I've been in crews or movements with over the years but believe that a collection of individuals with their own agenda's generally cause's trouble. Too many egos = BOOM! Bit of a prehistoric concept now and most crews these days are more about an association or affiliation with a brand that is already established and notorious. A credibility exercise seems to be what its about in most cases but certain people work well together in some case's.

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 travelled all over different parts of the world with the cardboard cut out project but didn't do any collaborations due to the fact I flew with the pieces already built and ready to install. Moscow was probably the most interesting place but didn't do much there because I couldn't handle the temparature outdoors for very long, 10 minutes to be precise… LOL!

Currently your work appearing around London of Tamara, a naked gas masked lady, are causing quite a stir. What is the story and concept behind these pieces?

Tamara is a free spirit and represents a war with the media that fails to recognise this art form in its pure raw format. She's an advertising campaign for freedom of expression, like lose your dependence for the material, get your mask and become a soldier. Also, I think eroticism and the approach of working with Tamara from our own photography was missing in terms of what's out there in the street, so I wanted to address this and take up the challenge, upping my game and London's game in general.

Taggers against bombers, against piecers, against commission artist's, against stencil artist's, against paste up artist's and so on. Its only when the whole scene collapse's in on itself that writers tend to find some common ground and some sort of peace.

Part2ism

What are you feelings on the graffiti scene in London and the UK at present?

I think there's a hell of a lot of animosity at the moment between all the different factions in the movement. Its like the 80's all over again but with money involved. Taggers against bombers, against piecers, against commission artist's, against stencil artist's, against paste up artist's and so on. Its only when the whole scene collapse's in on itself that writers tend to find some common ground and some sort of peace. Big shame because the media will probably discredit the art again and the outsiders who are influenced by it will be the ones making a living from it. Note why I distance myself from the misinformed labels mentioned earlier, being attached to their (not ours) watered down labels to fit in with a group for security will be your own downfall.

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

Yes, back in the early 90's when the photorealism caught peoples eye. It paid the bills and felt good at first to be getting recognition but it filled up my portfolio with work that was meaningless to me. I do hope none of it is well known to be honest and I stay clear of this type of work like it was anthrax.

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

I don't look at it as a career, more of a plague that's consumed me for nearly 30 years.

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

No! Time doesn't stop, you're always tested no matter what you do.

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

Meeting Tamara.

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

I haven't been in that many have I? That exhibition is coming later this year but I'm not sure whether my works in it at the moment.

You recently had an exhibition called "Artillery For Pleasure" that ran in London, care to tell us a little about it and the concept behind some of the work?

The concept is just following on from the Tamara series really with a few other twist's like the garden of eaten thrown in. Its all a political critique on commodity as religion, consumerism, sex and death. It was a good challenge to scale things down without changing the way I do this on the walls. It was also a good opportunity to show the Shoreditch crowd something on a different level and to introduce them to a traditional and more refined technique.

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

Doesn't bother me where it is as long as its good, stands up and makes people think.

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

People are paying high prices for Banksy's work??? Shit, did I just say that…

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?

Maybe its both? Who really cares, its weather the creator deems it a work of art or not that counts. Check out the "Man On Wire" documentary! Illegal but the most beautiful work of art ever.

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

Which ever is most suitable to the mission, I don't discriminate.

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

In the 80's and most recently for sticking paper air planes to lamp post's in Soho a year or so ago. Keep meaning to use the stop and search report in a piece of work.

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

No, that's Batman and Robin isn't it?

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

None. I prefer 'Fine art renegade' or 'Revolutionary fine artist'. Just 'Writing' will do for most people.

Which other artists work do you admire?

The old school subway renegade's and also people like Vulcan (bad man) but art wise:

• Zaha Hadit
• Anish Kapoor
• Constructivism
• Robert Del Naja
• Basquiat

…to name a few.

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

I'd like to work with some of the 70's train writers, I got a message from Tracy 168 inviting me to paint when I'm in NYC next. That would be interesting. I love the innocence those writers had, real bold and fearless.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Whatever, I try not to discriminate.

What is your colour of choice?

Any monochrome.

What is your favourite surface to paint on?

Aluminium is always wicked, flat concrete too… not like them nasty East End walls.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

The plane wing that was hung at Mutate Britain last year still gives me good vibes.

I believe you used to be involved in the music scene and worked as a producer for Ninja Tunes at one point, what's the story behind that direction in you carrer and how you came to be involved with Ninja Tunes?

I was signed to Big Dada Recordings which was the vocal subsidiary for Ninja Tunes.

Which artists did you do production for while working at Big Dada Recordings?

New Flesh, which was my group too with Juice Aleem and Toastie. TY, Roots Manuva, Mike Ladd, Infinate Lives and did quite a few other collabs as New Flesh with Gift Of Gab, Anti Pop Consortium, Rammellzee, Gamma and Lotek.

What kind of music are you currently into?

I listen to anything really but at the moment a lot of old jazz funk, soul, rare groove, Brazilian, Cuban, Fela Kuti, Johnny Cash, Carl Craig and other Detroit stuff.

What is the last album you bought?

My vinyl is in storage still due to travelling all over so I keep buying CD's to play where I am at the moment. Totally forgot to get the new TV On The Radio LP the other day but I bought Eugene McDaniels "Headless Hero's Of The Apocalypse" Fela Kuti "Open Close", tow Funkadelic LP's and a New York Latin Compilation.

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

I still have a piece to do for a group show in Philly if I haven't missed the deadline. Other than that I'll be coming out with some new campaigns shortly, the games have only just began…

Anything else you would like to add?

No, you couldn't possibly ask any more questions than this could you? Gonna watch a DVD called "The Lives Of Others". Thanks for the opportunity to share my slightly militant views mate. One love… Keith Part2ism.

For further information about Part2ism please visit:

Part2ism Profile

Part2ism MySpace Page

Part2ism Flickr Photostream

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