Railside x Vents interview

We sat down for a kōrero with Vents, an Auckland-based graffiti writer and founding member of RTR. Active since 1996, Vents has been a longstanding presence in Aotearoa’s graffiti scene, developing a distinctive traditional style centred around strong letterwork and throw-ups. His work has taken him across New Zealand and overseas, and he continues to contribute to the local graffiti community through collaborations and creative projects.

Vents recently created a design for our Railside merch, so we caught up with him to talk about his roots in graffiti, his creative journey and the concept behind his design. Check out what he had to say.

RS: How did you first get into graffiti, and what attracted you to it?

V: Growing up in Ponsonby in the ’80s, I was drawn to a lot of the pieces in my neighbourhood, the city and surrounding suburbs. There was a lot of stuff from Smooth Crew, but there were other names too. At primary school, a friend of mine had the book Subway Art, which introduced me to the New York scene. It was quite a few years before I started doing it, but that’s when the seeds were first sown.

RS: Who are three writers that have influenced your style and why?

V: IKON — my first writing partner and mentor of sorts. We were flatmates for a number of years in the late ’90s and early 2000s. I learnt a lot from him in the early days about how to conduct oneself as a writer: drawing and developing personal style, documenting, being organised with tools and equipment, checking for spots, planning missions and chasing ambition.

ASKEW — it’s been a journey through the decades since high school. We’d known each other for some time before we started writing. What started with a common love of hip-hop paved the way for our later paths into graffiti, which led to many cool experiences and discussions over the years. We painted a lot together during the mid-2000s, with a focus on harmonising concepts, letter styles, colours and technique. That period helped shape a lot of elements of style that I’m still doing now.

DMOTE — probably one of the most well-rounded and consistent writers around. Everything from tags, throws, pieces, characters and productions. A big inspiration as a writer, but his graphic design, illustration and gallery art are equally impressive.

RS: How has your style changed since you started?

V: It probably hasn’t changed a lot, to be honest. Sure, there’s been a gradual and steady evolution over time, but essentially the foundations I developed my style around, and the qualities that appeal to me, have remained pretty traditional throughout my time writing.

RS: Who are three writers or artists that are creating interesting work?

V: HASER GBAK — has been steadily producing really cool stuff. There’s a distinct cultural element that carries through his graffiti, studio and commercial work.

BOOZE CPS from Germany — this guy has some of the dopest pieces and productions, just pure style. He doesn’t have Instagram, so it’s always a treat to see his stuff printed in magazines. A reminder that graffiti is best viewed in first person, and that there’s a lot more going on than just what you see on the Gram.

EDITOR — weird and cool in equal measure. Always with an interesting approach to composition, form, colour and mark-making. His graffiti doesn’t fit the traditional mould. His gallery work blends painting, sculpture and found objects. He seems totally in his element making work a lot of people won’t understand.

RS: What motivates you to keep creating after all these years?

V: I’ve worked in design for nearly 20 years and have been doing graffiti now for 30 years, so my passion is also my profession. I’ve been self-employed for three years, which has taken me in new directions and unlocked different creative pathways. I had to put my graffiti on temporary hold to focus on my professional development and other life stuff, but recently I’ve been giving it more priority again. I feel all my creative work is connected in ways, with inspiration coming from many different places and experiences.

RS: What are some attributes of great and innovative graffiti?

V: Good question. In essence, I’d say well-structured letters with weight, flow and a little finesse. I like graffiti that strikes a balance between funky and technical, with colour that evokes a feeling, mood or connection to something else.

Innovation plays an important role in the evolution of style and the culture. Oftentimes, it’s new tools or using materials in a different way, though it remains cool what can be created with nothing more than a few cans packed into a shopping bag. I think most interesting innovations in graffiti come from external sources.

RS: What role does urban art play in society and why?

V: I think it plays an important role in giving society its distinct voice and personality. You can tell a lot about a city by what they embrace in terms of art in public space, and what they’re prepared to tolerate in terms of unsanctioned work. Melbourne is an interesting example, where public art is celebrated as a big part of the city’s identity, but on the other hand, there have been a number of high-profile court cases showing a lack of tolerance for vandalism.

RS: How could we build a stronger and more impactful graffiti community?

V: More inclusivity and collaboration. There used to be a lot of gatekeeping in the scene, and I think there’s still a bit of a hangover from that in my generation. Nowadays, the scene is more inclusive, supportive and embracing of the younger generations getting into it. It’s also encouraging to see more funding towards artwork in public spaces from local councils and the business community.

RS: What advice would you give to an emerging writer?

V: Aim to become a master of your craft. Draw every day, practise, do everything with passion and purpose. Study the history. A lot has changed in the scene, but the fundamentals are still the same.

RS: What is the inspiration for your T Shirt design?

V: Cartoon villains. The wolf gets a bad rap, but he’s just living up to his nature. Better to just be the wolf than a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Link to Railside x Vents shirt here.