Featured Artist – Pudl
Firstly who are you and where are you from?
I write PUDL, I grew up on the South Coast about an hour and a half south of Sydney.
How do you think this affected you on your journey towards being a graffiti artist?
In regards to actually learning/doing graff it was a little isolated, looking back now I feel this was a good thing, as myself and only a couple of close friends had to teach ourselves and thrive off each other…bear in mind late 80’s early 90’s, in a small city, graffiti was something new that virtually nobody did, as far as being exposed to it, the big city was only an hour and a half train ride away, where the Sydney scene was thriving.
When/How did you know you wanted to be a graffiti writer?
Can’t say I ever wanted to actually be a “graffiti writer”, however from around 1990 I realised I really enjoyed the act of “doing” graffiti. I used to draw a lot as a kid, so I guess it was a natural progression.
What/Who are some of the inspirations that drive you to paint?
Inspiration that “drives me to paint” could come from anywhere in the moment eg…..music, happiness, anger, another artwork, but most importantly, the close friends that I paint with on the regular.
Did this help guide you to where you are today?
I guess so, I have a job that requires me to be creative 9 to 5.
Your favourite or most inspirational place/spot you have painted at?
Years ago now, but Rome and Switzerland were really fun.
Tell us a do you have any memorable moments/stories/chases you could share from a painting mission?
The same old story seems to stick in my memory of getting chased by a police dog through a train tunnel along with a few others, it wasn’t fun at all.
The memory remains very clear, but its in slow motion lol.
What direction do you feel graffiti is going these days with style?
I guess it all depends on what style you like, there are so many.
Must admit though, I did prefer when you could tell which city a style originated, I guess having the internet at our fingertips changed this….and caused many hybrid styles to form, this may or may not be a good thing?
What’s the biggest misconception the general public have of graffiti artists?
“I really like what you’re painting, but I hate all that tagging stuff”…….
What are your thoughts on the whole graffiti vs street art?
I can appreciate both, but only if its done well.
Graff came first though.
What direction do you see graffiti heading in the future?
Not too sure to be honest…..lets wait and see how it all unfolds.
If you could share a message with the next generation of graffiti artists, what would it be?
The same message that was shared with me as a kid….“If you can’t burn it, then don’t go over it”
There any up and coming artists that we should keep an eye out for?
I’m sure there is, just can’t think of any off the top of my head.
Any shouts out you would like to give?
Snarly, Phibs, Set1st, Bones, Gooz, Break, Sirum, Akuze, and Sage
Thank you very much for your time and we look forward to seeing more of your amazing work.
You can find more of Pudl’s work at:
