Thank you to C100 Studio and Publikat for including me in the new Art of Rebellion lV tome…
THE BIRTH OF HIP-HOP
“I painted this mural in 2014 as part of the biannual Festival of the Mind in Sheffield, UK. The concept sketch (and canvas) however dates back to 1999 and was originally intended as a record sleeve for DJ Vadim x Antipop Consortium ‘The Isolationist’. Sadly, my artwork was never used.
Strangely, the brief for the festival was to paint something which opened a discussion about the use of religious imagery within popular culture. Right away I knew what to paint! It also made me consider how hip-hop and graffiti (or any youth movement for that matter) might be likened to a religious experience for its disciples.
It was great to see an idea finally realised after laying dormant for 15 years. For me, it’s one of the reasons I keep a sketch book. You never know when something rejected or overlooked might actually become useful and relevant again.”
