Title - Graffiti Artist Interview

November 2009

Interview with Title, a graffiti artist from Birmingham UK who began painting graffiti in the mid 80's. In his time Title has painted with OGA Crew, KNC Crew and SFX Crew to name but a few.

Graffiti piece by Title (2009)

How old are you?

No comment! LOL

Where are you based?

Birmingham, UK.

When did you begin painting graffiti?

Mid '80's, '85 I think.

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

As a school kid, I was obsessed with two things: My artwork and BMX riding. I remember seeing an article about graffiti in an early BMX magazine, which really grabbed my attention. Soon after, Style Wars was shown on TV and all of a sudden there was this huge scene surrounding me, it just felt like such a natural thing for me as a keen young artist to get involved. That's where it all began.

How did you choose the name Title?

I used to like writing the letter 'T' so I was looking for name with a 'T' in it, a random word that could have more than one meaning, a "Title"! Title seemed as good a name as any other.

Do you write under any other names?

No.

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

No… I ran with a few crews during the '80's:

OGA Crew
KNC Crew
TRM Crew
THR Crew
SFX Crew

I stopped painting for like 16 years then came back just over two years ago… I haven't really been in a crew since my return, but there has been talk of starting a few with some old skool heads.

But as we speak… No.

How would you describe your style?

I do characters and letters. I dabble with photo realism, but that's usually for customers who want something in particular… I find it pretty stressful trying to get something looking exactly the same as a photograph. I am more comfortable with my own style of character, which tends to be quite realistic but with slightly caricaturised features and exaggerated shadows and lighting. As for my letters they are mostly 3D, but my style is still evolving. I am not completely happy with it yet, but I'm getting there.

Graffiti piece by Title

Where did you paint your first piece?

No comment! LOL

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?

No, but I have painted with international artists at jams over here.

I have painted at a few festivals, they've been the most fun so far.

On a negative side this digital age that we live in, with people photographing and uploading their artwork, seems to have made burners disposable so the youth think nothing of going over a burner just hours after it's been painted.
Title

What are your feelings on the graffiti and street art scenes in the UK at present?

Good and bad. Since my return to the scene I've attended legal graffiti jams, huge social events that were unheard of back in the day. Graffiti art has been embraced by the graphics/multi media industry as well as being recognised by the fine art world, enabling graffiti artists to get good jobs and paid well for what they do. The introduction of the internet has enabled artists to show off their work and contact each other which is a good thing.

On a negative side this digital age that we live in, with people photographing and uploading their artwork, seems to have made burners disposable so the youth think nothing of going over a burner just hours after it's been painted. It's something you would definiteley get a beating for back in the day, no question! I'm not saying that's right but that's the way it was. There definately seems to be less respect nowadays.

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

Most of my work is for private customers or small business's, nothing that well known I guess.

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

I'm still waiting for it!

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

Good, it's all good, but I'm not sure whether you could call it graffiti. I'd call it urban based artwork. Nevertheless it's good to see my peers getting recognition and making the kind of money that they deserve.

Have you ever had your work displayed in a gallery and if so is there any one show which stands out from all the rest?

Yeah once, way back in '91. I sold a painting but I don't see as it really did me any favours as I drifted away from the scene soon afterwards, but maybe that's just me and where I was at the time.

Graffiti canvas by Title

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

I've always seen myself as an artist but from the age of 15 to 18 I was a graffiti writer in every sense of the word. Everything I've done since then has been heavily influenced by that time.

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

Partly because of the introduction of the internet, partly because of the media's interest in Banksy and partly due to fadism and fashion surrounding the culture.

If we all went round painting flowers and smiling children everyone would love graffiti! Even the powers that be would see us as allies for aiding them into blinding normal folk from the truth, what's really going on.
Title

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?

Both, a piece is called a piece because it's a piece of artwork simple as that. Where the argument begins is when a piece is dark or not asthetically pleasing to the public eye, then it becomes associated with everyting that's wrong in society and people only see it as vandalism. If we all went round painting flowers and smiling children everyone would love graffiti! Even the powers that be would see us as allies for aiding them into blinding normal folk from the truth, what's really going on.

Do you paint legal or illegal pieces?

Strictly legal nowadays.

Have you ever 'felt the long arm of the law' because of your art and if so can you tell us about it?

Yes, numerous times in the '80's which led me to go strictly legal.

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

No.

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken for your art?

No comment!

Where is the most obscure place you have ever left a tag or piece?

No comment!

Which other artists work do you admire?

T-Kid
Seen
Tats Cru

…n all the other NY legends past n present.

Daim
Yama
Replete
Part2ism
Mac1
Smug One
Astek
Busk
Estm

…to name just a few.

Plus all the other guys from in and around the Midlands that I get to paint with on a regular basis.

Which other artist would you most like to work with if you were given the chance?

Anyone who's sound really.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Spray paint, but I also like using paint pens and acrylics.

What is your colour of choice?

Any.

What is your favourite surface to paint on?

A smooth white rendered wall.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

Too many to mention.

What kind of music are you into?

Eclectic really. Anything from chilled low fi /ambient stuff to in yer face hip-hop or straight up punk rock. I guess a lot of the stuff I'm into is pretty experimental, but it doesn't matter if it's made by one guy on a pc or a ten piece noise band as long as it's got integrity.

What is the last album you bought?

Killing Zoe soundtrack, but that was for personal sentimental reasons.

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

Workshops, shutters, canvas's, murals for private customers and small business's, maybe next year I'd like to exhibit some work in galleries and continue painting at more jam's and hopefully get to travel a little more.

Anything else you would like to add?

All you illegal heads out there… be careful what you are uploading because the Feds are watching you! You've been warned!