Arize: How did you get into graffiti work? And how long have you been doing this?
Well…to tell the truth I’m very much a late starter to the game considering my age. Though for as long as I can remember I’ve always found myself sketching letters and stuff, doing black book styles, comic and fantasy characters n that. It just happens that I spent the better part of my time skateboarding and trying to save coin to go snowboarding rather than art. Painting or drawing was something I just did when I was bored or when I couldn’t skate, I never really got that into it or took it too seriously. It wasn’t until my boy Mystik shouted me a paint in early 2004 that I seriously gave it a shot. As soon as I dropped my first character with cans(…a kangaroo wearing a gas mask with spray cans in each hand to be exact.)that was it, I was like “dam! I’ve wasted my youth straight up!! What have I been doing!” haha! Naa, I love the shit, it gets in your blood and it’s all you want to do. Ever since then I’ve been more passionate about art in general, today it’s really graffiti that keeps me motivated and inspired.

Arize: How much balls does it take to actually tag a wall in broad public?!
Lol Bravado it takes, yeah, no doubt there….but it takes just as much intellect and forethought for you not to get jacked whilst doing it.

If any… Graffiti as an element of hip hop is a movement that’s ever changing and evolving….my straight opinion.

Arize: How much has the graffiti game changed since we hit the 2000’s?
If any… Graffiti as an element of hip hop is a movement that’s ever changing and evolving….my straight opinion. Everyone that lives and breathes graffiti in one way or another takes a little and gives a little back. That’s the nature of the beast; graffiti is always going to be here, just the way it’s interpreted will alter. I definitely think though that the age of the internet we now live in has changed the way heads approach graffiti tremendously. Anybody can get on the net now days and be influenced by any amount of styles throughout the world, and more often than not that’s what happens. A collective library of graffiti styles and flavors at your fingertips is a very inspiring thought. As long as heads don’t get lazy, get on the biting tip, or get too focused on the digital, the game will keep changing for the better.

Arize: Your subjects are very different, what gives you the thought to include such subjects as bees and the other questionable characters?!
Lol Yeah. I try to mix it up a little with random imagery that jumps into my head from time to time. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I definitely don’t want to be doing the same concepts or similar imagery over and over again as it would bore the hell out of me for one, and no doubt the audience also. So I try n keep the subjects I do, or scenarios I think of, a little different each time….giving the peeps something new to feed on each time cant hurt.

I definitely don’t want to be doing the same concepts or similar imagery over and over again as it would bore the hell out of me for one, and no doubt the audience also.

Arize: The quality of your work is one of very high standards…How would you define your style of graffiti?
Mantis style.

Arize: What would you say to someone who thought graffiti was garbage and an eye sore?
Something about the likes of beauty and the eye of beholding or something or rather.

Arize: Where can we see your work at? City, Street etc…
You can see my work in a few different spots. Roadsides, street spots, some sneaky hits if you look closely. Rollin around the outsides of skateboard wheels, as well as in magazines. Local, interstate n a couple of overseas galleries are where you’ll find some stuff to buy if you’re into it.

Arize: What are you currently working on for now and whats in the future for ya?
Right now I got a few skate decks I’m painting, as well as a few other random items for shows coming up. Concepts for walls I’m doing real soon with crew aswell. As for the near future though, I’m heading over-broad for a bit to see what I can paint, Canada, US, Japan see what I can get up to. So yeah, stay tuned.

Links:
www.myspace.com/gimiksborn