Phorm - Graffiti Artist Interview

November 2008

Interview with Phorm, a graffiti artist originating from the West Coast now currently living in London who represents the M4C Crew as well as being involved with the WGS Crew, GPK Crew and LKM Crew.

How old are you?

28… and a half.

Where are you based?

Right now, London, but I'm always getting itchy feet.

How long have you been painting / writing?

About 13 years.

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

I got into graffiti because I was interested in hip-hop and all the elements that create it, at first it wasn't too serious but then it became difficult to quit

Where did you paint your first piece?

My first piece was on a freight train in some random yard.

How would you describe your style?

Good question… I don't really know. I used to have a somewhat West Coast style but it changed quite a bit when I moved to Europe 7 years ago. Now I try to keep it loose, not too many boundaries and always freestyle.

How did you choose the name Phorm?

I worked in some fucked up factory where they made the needle free injectors for medicine and in the factory there was a machine called the "form, fill, seal", the place was really sick and boring. In the mean time I'd be tagging the hell out of every piece of paper I could find. Eventually, one day when I'd smoked well before work, the word 'form' popped out and being that I really do hate the letter 'F' I tried to switch it up. There you go…

Do you write under any other names?

Not really, I do some other things on walls and sometimes I'll write a friend's tag just as a change but that's the main one.

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

I write with a few crews but am only really representing one at the moment. The crew I represent is out of Italy and called M4C. The other crews are:

• WGS Crew (from the West Coast)
• GPK Crew (based in Portland)
• LKM Crew (based in Eugene) - RIP Fist

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?

I've done quite a few collabs but I tend to mainly paint alone. I wouldn't mind creating more thought out productions with people who think like I do.

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

I was really surprised by how cool everyone has been. It's nice to arrive to a new city and have people that are down to paint right away. I'm tired of the old ego front "What you write foo???" and you find that a lot with kids everywhere that are trying to overcompensate for their lack of style.

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

Not going getting sent back to jail… knock on wood.

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

…the same people who were prosecuting against some of the best writers are buying their bratty 8 year old "graffiti style" t-shirts and that gets to me a bit.

Phorm

Well, I guess it's alright. It's a difficult question. I think it's good that people who have risked their ass to paint their entire lives and decide they want to make some money do it. Being that it's all become cool so quickly a lot of bullshit comes along as well though, the same people who were prosecuting against some of the best writers are buying their bratty 8 year old "graffiti style" t-shirts and that gets to me a bit.

I guess they are kind of two different things… for me Art is in galleries and graffiti is on the streets, I don't see any problem with being an artist as well as a writer, especially if you can find a way that they don't contradict one another.

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

Yes, but not my pieces, it was a little bit more of a street art style. The exhibition was in a dope store called Ikara in Barcelona. The free beer killed me!

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

I like them both equally, I love painting freight trains though.

Have you ever 'felt the long arm of the law' because of your art and do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

Yes, I spent 4 months locked up when I was about 17. I guess at that age I didn't really think about a vandal squad or any of the shit they can nail you for.

I think it's pretty damn dangerous now with all the virtual identity and more people wanting to boast what they've done. I realize it's no longer a paranoia, especially here in London, where it's real that you can be seen and heard all the time.

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

I see myself as both. I think it's pretty hard to integrate the two so I've worked on trying to develop both equally.

Which other artists work do you admire?

Damn… well, there are all the ones everyone says:

• Revok
• Dare
• Atom
• Kem 5
• Ges

But I think in order to actually get inspiration from someone that's real you either have to see them paint or paint with them.

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

Anyone really… the important thing is that they don't have too much ego and they are flexible in the structure of they're style. I think it's important to learn from the people you paint with and try new things… stretch the boudaries a bit.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Mop pen.

What is your colour of choice?

Green.

What is your favourite surface to paint on?

Southern Pacific Flat Car.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

Not really. Every time I paint I think I can do better then what I actually do, it's pretty annoying… but I guess I could say my best piece will be my next one.

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

Currently I'm studying art and piecing around London. I should have an exhibition soon…

Anything else you would like to add?

I'm currently looking for sponsorship for my currently escalating expensive lifestyle, if you or anyone else would like to help please feel free to email me!

For further information about Phorm please visit:

www.nigeldunkley.com