The London Police - Graffiti Artist Interview

September 2007

Interview with urban graffiti artist Chaz from The London Police.

How old are you?

Between 31 -33

How long have you been painting / writing?

All my life, started The London Police in 1998.

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

Just noticing stuff in my town growing up, didn't really start doing it again until I was in my 20's.

What names do you go under?

• The London Police
• TLP
• The Reece
• The Dogs Of Spain
• Big Geezers

How did you choose the name / names you write under?

I like the combination of words and the sounds they make.

Which crew / crews do you write with?

I have made many friends and aquaintances in the last 9 years doing TLP. Mostly I hung out with Galo but when I go to different cities there's always some friendly geezers about or sometimes there's other people you know in the same show.

How long have The London Police been together?

I started it in 1998, my best friend joined in '99 and then a furthur member in 2000. We had 3 good years together before Bob left in 2003 and then Garrett the year after, I continued alone since the end of 2004.

How did the London Police 'lads' graphic come to be and has it evolved over the years?

It evolved quite quickly from a primitive drawn stick character into a bold outline/clean shaped one in about 12 months. Through the style of the pen I was using I got more and more addicted to making each drawing tighter than the next and also getting the circles as perfect as possible.

In the years after it was just about learning to always be as sharp as possible when drawing them.

What is your inspiration?

It can be everything and everybody. I try to keep my eyes open, travel as much as possible, try not to take life too seriously and laugh as much as possible.

You are based in Amsterdam, Holland so how did you decide on the name "The London Police"?

Two months after TLP started I was living in Amsterdam and starting to draw the first characters, I ended up staying there. I like it that it makes no sense.

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

I love the big works the Lastplak Crew are doing but they're friends.

To be honest I don't really know much about the Dutch graffiti scene, I'm more interested in football and music.

Have you done many collaborations with artists overseas?

Yes, tonnes. Most of the time with friends…

• Galo
• BO130
• Microbo
• all The Big Geezers crew
• Dave Choe
• Sam Flores
• Shephard Fairey
• Morky Boy

…the list goes on.

How often do you go overseas to paint?

All the time. I've been to 23 different countries this year so far and by the end of the year I will have been to about 29 including Asia, Australasia, North and South America and of course Europe. Some places I been twice. Like I said, I'm addicted to travelling and these days TLP seems a bit popular everywhere, the only problem is you dont always get a lot of time in different countries and it's hard to work on my art etc because I'm not at home much.

Do you have a favourite country to paint in?

No, but I really like countries where it's easy to paint through lack of laws against graffiti or just liberal attitudes toward painting in the street.

Where is the most exciting or interesting place you have ever left your mark?

Everywhere is exciting and interesting, maybe Tokyo for me was the most.

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

I don't think about it, but as you asked me I guess it's because the generation that grew up seeing the graff phenomenom is finally getting old enough to buy art.

Have you done many pieces that have been used for commercial purposes or that have been displayed in galleries?

Quite a lot in galleries and shows, some installations.

Do you have one exhibition which sticks out in your mind as being most memorable or most favourite?

So many Expo's in so many countries it's impossible to choose. I always have a great time even if it's not the best place in the world.

What would you class as your 'most famous' commercial work?

Probably the 20m x 8m wall mural in Berlin. I did it for the 'Backjumps' show and it was a gift for the community in Kreuzberg. It's the biggest I've done so far and probably the best challenge I accomplished.

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

The minute I invented the 'lad' character. I maintained from the very beginning the 'lads' are already famous, just no-one knows it yet.

I maintained from the very beginning the 'lads' are already famous, just no-one knows it yet.

Chaz - The London Police

What is the strangest thing you have seen sold with one of your artistic creations on?

I've drawn on a lot of crazy stuff, especially in Asia, but 'seen sold' I guess its just bits of crap from the street that people have found or taken… they pop up on e-Bay now and then.

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

I'm a little older these days and I prefer legal spaces where I can take some time and try to produce a decent piece… don't get me wrong, I wish I had more desire to paint illegally but it doesn't get me going like it used to. If I do something in Amsterdam it gets cleaned, stolen or dogged pretty quick so I generally save my street action for my travels.

Do you still prefer to keep your identity fairly anonymous?

It's too difficult these days as TLP has become more well known and it's pretty easy to find pictures of who people are on the internet. Everyone has a phone or camera these days and there's no way you can stop people taking photos of you and putting them online. I dont care anyway, I'm hardly doing anything wrong.

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

Many times in many places, all with different stories but I'm happy to say I never got arrested. When I do go bombing I'm ultra cautious and usually pretty high.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

• Posca
• Edding
• Spanish Montana

I like stickers too but hand drawings prevail.

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

Don't think about it.

Are there any other artists out there whose work you admire?

Loads…

• Blu
• Doze Green
• Mode 2
• Will Barras

…to name a few current favourites but theres probably a couple of million others including all the normal names. I admire them more tho' if I meet them and they're fun to hang out with and down to earth.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

The Mode 2 pieces in "Spraycan Art".

What kind of music are you into?

All sorts. As the late great Bill Hicks said "I wanna hear someone who plays from their soul", doesn't matter what style.

What is the last album you bought?

Fujiya and Miyagi - "Transparent Things"

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

Currently working on finding more time to see more of the world whilst also balancing out building a future where I can consistantly progress in all areas of my life without resorting to doing anything I don't want to do or don't agree with; a life where I can get the maximum enjoyment out of it whilst exerting the minimum of effort to do so. It's what I've always been working on.

Anything else you would like to add?

Don't believe a word I said.

For further information about The London Police please visit:

www.thelondonpolice.com