Featured Artist – Sytak
Firstly who are you and where & how did you grow up?
I have been writing since 1996, I first came across graff living near a big car park in Leichhardt. Me and my friends used to go and check out the latest pieces by writers like Dmote, Festee, Video, Stet, Brick, Atome, the REK crew and others. We did our first pieces on a dare in some local drains, from there I was hooked. I was given the tag Sytak from Fsute who had done a few pieces with the name.
Do you paint for a living?
I consciously chose not to pursue painting as a career. My day job is creative but it doesn’t involve cans or any type of painting. Everything graff has taught me – which is a lot – feeds in to my work though.
When/How did you know you wanted to be a graffiti artist?
Seeing the burners at that carpark really opened my eyes. Knowing there was a platform where the rules were very few but the potential was massive.
How did you learn to do what you do?
I learned to do graffiti with a lot of crap paint amongst the pigeon poo in drains. When I was starting out there was a lot more hierarchy in the graffiti scene, you started as a toy and paid respect to older more skilled writers. I have always paid close attention to how others do things in term of technique, pair that with lots of practice and I find it usually pays off, not just for graffiti but anything in life. I got some pointers along the way from great local writers. I’m still learning though.
What is your dream project?
Lately I don’t have much time for painting, I run my own business and have a family. I used to paint every weekend or more when I was younger. My dream project would be rocking up to a wall that is buffed, the paint and my mates are already there (driving from shop to shop and picking people up before painting sucks) and having a full day painting in the sun.
Your favourite or most inspirational place/spot you have painted at?
In 1999 I painted Kunst park with Loomit and another guy. I was totally out of my depth, kings from all over the world had painted scores of various walls in this huge area. I didn’t really create anything decent there but it was so good to hang out with Loomit who is one of my heroes.
I also got to paint a big wall in Melbourne with Shime, Brick, Smeoo, Unique and members from WCA, that was great, again well out of my depth. Recently I am working on a production with 13 others, Fsute from REK crew came down which made my day.
We made a few trips down to Canberra, they were good times. There are some great spots and awesome guys down there.
What/Who are some of the inspirations for you and your art?
Seeing Akira when I was young blew my mind, I have been drawn to manga/anime since. I also like to paint things that are typically not in the graffiti vernacular. I enjoy painting walls with concepts or themes, especially if they haven’t been done before. I did a wall with Peak, Brick and Seus where it was like a mad max fold-in where there was a hidden meaning, that was fun.
What are your personal goals with graffiti artist?
Currently it’s more of a social thing for me, like playing golf for some people. Catching up with mates, talking shit and doing a piece is a great way to spend a day. In the future I would like to push my letters further and maybe do some one man productions.
What’s the biggest misconception other people have of graffiti artists?
That they are all 14 years old and just want to make a mess.
What are your thoughts on the whole graffiti vs street art battle?
Don’t get me started. My biggest gripe is the way councils are trying to control every aspect of public art, which leads to the same people doing the same stuff everywhere.
If you could share a message with the next generation of graffiti artists, what would it be?
Do things your way, have fun. Graff can teach you a lot about life, people and work, if you want to learn.
Any shouts out you you would like to give?
Big thanks to Brick who has taught me a lot and given me so many great opportunities. Peak for being a great writer and whinger. Fsute for being such a king. Everyone I have painted with over the years.
Thank you very much for your time and we look forward to seeing more of your amazing work.
You can find more of Sytaks work at:
