Italy

Based in Bari in the South of Italy, Nico Skolp is a masterful designer, graffiti writer and muralist with a particular passion for working in public spaces. As he readies to visit and share his talents with us in New York City, I had the opportunity to pose a few questions to him:

You began painting on the streets as a graffiti writer while still a teenager. How has your style evolved since?

I still paint graffiti, but I am always searching for new inspiration. I’m interested in the possibility of communicating with a larger audience — one outside of the graffiti community. My murals blend shapes and colors into elaborate site-specific abstractions. Although graffiti is composed of  letters, it is more difficult to understand and more abstract than some other types of art. It is an interesting paradox!

You’ve been increasingly collaborating with other artists. What is that experience like? Is there any artist — in particular — with whom you’d like to collaborate?

I like collaborations. I like sharing visions and methods. It helps sharpen skills. If I could choose anyone with whom to collaborate, I would definitely say MOMO. His works are so interesting!  I admire his research and his experimentation.

Have you a formal art education? 

I graduated  with a degree in Industrial and Communication Design. In fact, I feel more like a designer than an artist. In 2006, I set up a visual arts and design agency, Ff3300.

Do any particular graffiti/street art memories stand out?

There is no one memory — in particular — that stands out. But I feel that my crew — Sorry Guys — contributed to the growth of a new generation of writers. Younger writers often enthusiastically tell me how much we have influenced them, as they grew up following us. It is an honor to think that I have inspired other writers, as  others — who came before me — inspired me.

When you paint in public spaces, do you work with a sketch-in-hand or just let it flow?

It depends. If the work is a commission, frequently I must first produce a sketch. Otherwise, I don’t, but I do seek inspiration beforehand. I used to work spontaneously, but recently, I’ve been using a method based on the rules that represent my style. It was from my style that the software open-source — based on shapes that are controlled by certain variables — was conceived. With these, you can make infinite compositions. You can download the software here. I designed it with Piero Molino, a close friend — an engineer who works for UBER in San Francisco.

Are you generally satisfied with your finished piece?

In general, yes! I’m satisfied, but I’m always striving to improve. Technically, I think I’m at a good level, The skills I have acquired have boosted my self-confidence. I’m happy with my life choices.

Have you exhibited your work in gallery settings? 

I’ve never had a solo exhibition. I’ve just contributed canvases to some graffiti exhibitions such as the one held at the 2010 Meeting of Styles in Tessalonica, Greece.  I’ve been thinking recently about showing in a solo exhibition and hopefully start with one in Bari. I love this city and it is where it all started for me. It has recently become a hub for tourism, and I love the idea of making a cultural contribution to it. 

What’s ahead?

I just finished my latest work in Matera, the 2019 Capital of Culture in Europe, and I’m heading now to  New York City, where I’d like to explore its urban art culture and make a contribution — why not a wall? — to the city! I will make myself available for any opportunities.

Yes! That would be wonderful!

Note: Nico Skolp can be contacted via his Instagram or his email nicoff3300@gmail.com.

Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky; all images courtesy of the artist

Featured images:

  1. Matera, Italy
  2. Bari, Italy
  3. Bari, Italy
  4. Corato, Italy
  5. Matera, Italy

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The following post is by Houda Lazrak, a contributor to StreetArtNYC and an M.A. candidate in Museum Studies at NYU: 

blu-street-art-bologna-italy

While visiting Bologna, Blu’s home town, I had the opportunity to see quite a few of his pieces, along with a series of murals and several legal graffiti pieces facilitated by the organization Frontier – La linea dello stile.

Also by Blu, close-up

Blu-street-art-characters-bologna-Italy

Rusty

rusty-graffiti-bologna

L.E.T

Let1-stencil-art-bologna

Eron, close-up

eron-street-art-bologna-italy

Peeta and more graffiti artists — to be identified 

legal-graffiti-Bologna

NemO’s interactive cigarette piece for Cheap Festival, a yearly festival in Bologna

Nemo-street-art- close-up-bologna

Barbara Zagatti, who runs the Facebook page Street Art Bologna, guided us by car and foot through this historic district.

Photos by Houda Lazrak

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The following post is by Houda Lazrak, a contributor to StreetArtNYC and an M.A. candidate in Museum Studies at NYU:

alice-pasquini-street-art-rome

San Lorenzo, an up-and-coming art district in Rome, is home to a wide range of street art, including a block-long mural by Italian artist Alice Pasquini and a number of poignant stencils. Here are some of the pieces — many timeworn — that I captured.

French artist C215

C215-street-art-Rome

Unidentified artist — with a message

unidentified-artist-stencil-Rome

Italian artist Solo

Solo-street-art-rome

Unga of the Israeli Broken Fingaz Crew

broken-fingaz-street-art-rome

West Coast-native Above

Above-street-art-Rome

Note: The first image features a segment from Alice Pasquini‘s huge mural painted adjacent to a school.

All photos by Houda Lazrak

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Speaking with BR1

May 14, 2013

Italian artist BR1 is committed to creating work that transmits a message and raises awareness.  His artworks have not only made it onto public spaces in Italy and beyond, but increasingly into galleries, festivals and art fairs, as well. Intrigued by his images that surfaced in Bushwick during his recent visit here, we were delighted to have the opportunity to meet up with him and ask him a few questions.

BR1

When did you start getting up?

I was about 14 when I started tagging in my native town of Torino, Italy. Then I gradually moved from stickers to posters to full size images.

What motivates you to get up on the streets?

Everything about the streets inspires me. I’ve always been attracted to walls. Walls talk to you. And I like to raise questions.

Like what kinds of questions?

I’m particularly interested in the image of the veil and all that it represents, particularly the clash of cultures. I’m intrigued by paradoxes.

BR1

As someone from South Italy, how did you become interested in this theme?

My grandmother wears a black scarf. Her sensibility is similar to women who wear veils.

Where have you gotten up besides Italy?

I’ve gotten my work out in England, France, Turkey and Spain. And here in the U.S. — in Boston and New York City.

Any favorite cities?

I like Paris as its people are generally open-minded.  Istanbul was my least favorite.

BR1

What are some of your other subjects besides the veil?

I’m interested in billboard intervention. Billboards are a natural spot and easy to work with.

Do you have a formal art education?

No. My degree is in Law and my thesis was on the veil.

BR1 public enemies low 4

Any favorite artists?

I’m particularly inspired by Iranian photographers. I find Shirin Neshat’s work especially strong.

How do you feel about the movement of street art into galleries?

At first I did not like it, but now I see it as an opportunity. But I prefer to work with nonprofits.

BR1

What’s ahead?

I want to return to the U.S. and spend some more time here. I’d also like to continue studying the veil and work on installations, particularly using found objects.

The first image featured was photographed by Tara Murray in NYC; all other images are courtesy of the artist.

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