Featured Artist – Dmote

 

Recently we caught up with the Dmote who is originally a graffiti artist out of Sydney, Australia. But now resides in New York.

Firstly who are you and where & how did you grow up?

Dmote, i grew up in Sydney from age 15, how did i grow up? Pretty much self sufficient from about 16, spent most nights on friends couches and floors, only ever really thinking about painting, making a little bit of money, skateboarding and getting from day to day.

How do you think this affected you on your journey towards being an artist?

Well it made me very dedicated to graffiti as there wasn’t much else going on for us. All my peers hung out together all the time so all we did was paint, draw, go tagging and travel around exploring

When/How did you know you wanted to be a graffiti artist?

I was b-boying before I wrote graffiti so I had already seen it and was already drawing. When I finally meet others that did it. It was an easy decision for me.

How did you learn to do what you do?

Just by doing it a lot and just being interested in the history and what was happening with graffiti culture at the time. I was excited by it so I paid it all of my time to it, I’m still learning so now it’s a lot of letting go and having fun with it and using the positives from my years of experience.

Where would you say graffiti has taken you with your career?

I developed a name in Australia and then to a small degree outside of oz, that gave me the opportunity to do DMOTE projects. Things where people wanted my name and what i was doing. That lead into a more professional career based on the same things just applying it more profitably.

What is your dream project?

A successful solo art show.

Your favourite or most inspirational place/spot you have painted at?

Italy I love painting in because of the freedom and grittiness of the cities. I love painting anywhere new where the vibe is right and i can leave all the responsibilities at home and knock out a few new things.

What/Who are some of the inspirations for you and your art? 

Anyone who is doing something similar to what i do that just took it up a notch. I am inspired by competition and those who push this culture forward.

What are your personal goals now and in the future as a professional graffiti artist?

I’m not a professional graffiti artist i do graffiti for free, in fact i put a lot of time and energy thinking and researching that. It does not give me a financial return just enjoyment, my goals as an artist are to be only working as a painter and sustaining a decent life from that.

Tell us a little about how you like to work. (Alone, with others, in phases, details, etc…)

In terms or graffiti here in NYC i paint the streets alone not because I don’t trust people. But I cant account for other peoples actions so I chose to go solo and be completely accountable. In the studio I like to work alone also and try to develop a zone or a flow.

What direction do you feel your graffiti art is going?

I’m trying to make less mistakes and bad decisions, my pieces are way less structured than most. I have at most half a sketch or none, I don’t plan colours, I just try and again flow with it, I have enough experience where I shouldn’t make bad decisions but theres a lot that goes into a wall here in NYC. Its very rare that I’d spend two days on a wall, its one and done. So my goals are to do my style as good as I’ve ever done it and stay true to the form and energy of NYC graffiti and it should work out ok. I don’t use techniques or trendy motifs, I want my pieces to show that I’m not trying to hard.

What’s the biggest misconception other people have of graffiti artists?

I don’t know and I don’t ever have a conversation about the culture outside the culture.

What are your thoughts on the whole graffiti vs street art battle?

I like all art and I like good art. What I don’t like are these mural festivals. Because I don’t want to see a large scale mural next to another one. I definitely don’t want to see a whole street of them. Before this was so popular and accessible it was a real treat and surprise to turn a corner and see a huge wall painted. There is not surprise or value in it anymore, there is also no accountability for the imagery, if you are painting a ten story building for millions of people then you should in my opinion consider the environment and realise that the mural is for everyone not just an individual. I could go on but my opinion is just that, I do like the dialogue between street writers and street art, the streets will let you know that you’re not welcome. 

What is your opinion on letter structure versus fancy effects?

You cant polish a turd. If you structure isn’t there you should be able to see though the effects, ultimately the piece should look good in 20 years time.

What’s the biggest misconception other people have of graffiti artists?

I don’t know and I don’t ever have a conversation about the culture outside the culture.

What are your thoughts on the whole graffiti vs street art battle?

I like all art and I like good art. What I don’t like are these mural festivals. Because I don’t want to see a large scale mural next to another one. I definitely don’t want to see a whole street of them. Before this was so popular and accessible it was a real treat and surprise to turn a corner and see a huge wall painted. There is not surprise or value in it anymore, there is also no accountability for the imagery, if you are painting a ten story building for millions of people then you should in my opinion consider the environment and realise that the mural is for everyone not just an individual. I could go on but my opinion is just that, I do like the dialogue between street writers and street art, the streets will let you know that you’re not welcome. 

What is your opinion on letter structure versus fancy effects?

You cant polish a turd. If you structure isn’t there you should be able to see though the effects, ultimately the piece should look good in 20 years time.

How do you see graffiti evolving over the coming years and into the future?

I’m not sure, I like where its at I think were in a good place.

If you could share a message with the next generation of graffiti artists, what would it be?

Don’t take this shit too seriously, you will look back at all these days painting and exploring as the good days. So enjoy them.

  

Any shouts out you you would like to give?

Shout out to my crew PS in Australia, TM crew, Scram, ZAP, MSA boys in Melbourne and Snarl up north

Thank you very much for your time and we look forward to seeing more of your amazing work.

You can find more of Dmote at:

@dmoterola