ARTIST INTERVIEW: POEM 2 WEST COAST
Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. Wanna introduce yourself?
Thanks 400 ML- I write POEM2 and I represent the East Bay in Northern California
Can you pinpoint a particular moment when you knew you had the bug- or was it more a gradual realization?
I was introduced to art in general (not necessarily graffiti) from my cousin who was known as “Davie Dee” aka WARPIG in Oakland, Ca. In the mid 80’s. Davie Dee was his up-rock dance name, WARPIG was the art name he went by. He was doing artwork on clothes for the neighborhood kids and I was drawn to the movement of the letters that flowed with the wrinkles and layers of the clothes he rocked. Soon after I tried to mimic what he was doing on my own clothes which eventually led to bombing the city.
What is your personal interpretation of “Style”? In a battle scenario, which piece reins supreme?
My Pi of “Style” is its your identity..it’s what’s separates you from the next..in the past and even today I’ve known writers who wrote the same name but all we’re identifiable by there own individual style. Pushing for letter structure originality and not afraid to try new things..sometimes it hits sometimes it don’t . Every piece I try to create has to have its own individual skeleton. Different from the last.. I’M CONSTANTLY SKETCHING.. IT’S A ADDICTION.. And it has to be a #2 pencil and paper still to this day.
What is your personal interpretation of “Style”? In a battle scenario, which piece reins supreme?
In a battle scenario the writer who is most skillful in all aspects and can bring together multiple forms of movement into one masterpiece. (letters- characters-background) REIGNS SUPREME.. I would describe my style and the style I gravitated to early on as “FUNK STYLE”
For newer artists entering the scene, how important is having a crew? Should younger artists be looking to get into groups early on?
It really depends on what that individual is seeking? Protection, Clout, or really trying to become a better writer.. Crews are all different and hold different beliefs and opinions on graffiti, some positive, some negative.. Seek a crew that aligns with what you’re interest and mentorship.
What are your plans for your future? Do you have any particular achievements you’re pushing for (number of trains, walls etc
Plans are simple…Rock as many countries, cities, and trains as possible while I’m still on this earth and enjoy family time as much as possible.
Can you share a little about the West Coast scene that some of our readers may not be familiar with? How have you drawn inspiration from it into your own work?
Speaking solely on the Bay Area-East Bay early graffiti scene which for myself started visually early in the 1980’s with cholo style block letters made popular by Mexican gangs hitting their neighborhoods. Then in the early 80’s with the NY hip hop scene taking over the world the inspiration for lettering soon became more prominent with the introduction and creativity and color.
What’s your main interest outside of painting? Do you have anything else you occupy your free time with?
My Family is everything to me.. My kids and grandkids are my inspiration and who I live for everyday that I’m blessed with another day of life..
Any exciting chase stories or strange experiences out in the night?
Man,, had some close one’s Car chased through the streets of San Francisco with Dream, Pak, and Krash then pulled over at gunpoint was a crazy night and one that humbled me for awhile..
Shout outs:
Shout out to the 400ML family for asking me to share a part of my story..Thankyou HS-HIT SQUAD TDK-THE DESTRUCTION KONTINUES TDS-THE DEATH SQUAD WCF-WEST COAST FUNK
All Artwork by POEM 2
Follow POEM 2 @POEMWESTCOAST on Instagram.
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