Urban Convictions

South Bronx native Luis “Zimad” Lamboy began gracing walls with his graffiti skills at age 14, and had his first exhibit at Fashion Moda in 1984. Since, he has exhibited his artwork in galleries world-wide and continues to share his skills on public spaces across the globe. Tomorrow evening, he  will be showing a series of new paintings – alongside James Sexer Rodriguez — at Rogue Gallery Chelsea, 508 West 26th Street.

Zimad-graffiti-South-Bronx-nyc

When and where did you first get up?

It started back in 1979. I grew up in the South Bronx on 156th and Courtland, and that’s where I first got up.

What inspired you?

Throw-ups and bombs were everywhere. I especially loved what I saw on the handball courts.  There was FDT 56, KID 56, Mad2 and the Bronx Artists crew.

Have you any early graffiti-related memories that stand out?

I remember the time I shocked my arm in the lay-ups. It became numb, but I continued bombing. That same night we got chased out of the lay-ups by workers in the middle of the night. I remember running down Pelham Parkway, while the MPC Crew were throwing rocks and bottles at us.  That was a night!

Did you represent any crews?

Crews I’ve painted with include: BA, OTB, DWB, TCM, CWK and TD4.

Zimad

What is the riskiest thing you did?

Hitting up a white train on an elevated track wearing a red bubble coat in broad daylight. I had people yelling at me from the street.

How did your family feel about what you were doing?

My mom said, “You better be careful.” My father never acknowledged what I was doing. I really don’t know if he knew or not.

Have you ever been arrested?

A few times. Not too many. I remember when I was locked up with Sexer for painting a handball court right across from a police station.  Just as we were finishing it, the entire precinct came out and surrounded us. We got off easily, though. We were charged with criminal mischief and had to pay a $50.00 fine.

Do you work with a sketch-in-hand or do you just let it flow?

I used to sketch out my letters before hitting a wall. But I mostly let it flow.

Are you generally satisfied with your finished piece? 

Lately I’ve been. But I have mixed feelings about some of my earlier pieces

Zimad

Do you have a formal art education?

I’m self-taught. I’ve been drawing since I was five years old. I learned just about everything I know from the streets.  And in my mid-20’s, I attended FIT. The classes that I took there helped me fine-tune my skills.

Are there any particular cultures that have influenced your aesthetic?

The spiritual life has been my greatest influence. I’ve been particularly inspired by Sacred Geometry.

Any other inspirations?

Basquiat.  Just watching the movie inspires me.

Do you prefer working with others? Or would you rather paint alone?

When I’m outside, I prefer working with others. I collaborate lots with Sexer these days. But when I’m in my studio, I like to paint alone.

Zimad-on-canvas

Any thoughts about the graffiti/street art divide?

Graffiti writers often feel that street artists disrespect them. And, unlike graffiti writers, many street artists have formal art educations.  This, too, leads to tensions between the two, as street artists have a different take on it all and are more accepted by the art establishment. Their work is also more accessible to most people.

Why do you suppose the art world has been so reluctant to embrace graffiti?

Well, it’s the only element of hip-hop that’s illegal. And that’s a problem. Gallery owners don’t want the police knocking on their doors.

Any favorite arists?

Doze Green, Mars1, Dondi and Basquiat.

How has your work evolved in the past few years?

I leave graffiti for the walls. In my studio I continue to move in the direction of fine arts. When I am painting in my studio, I am building a legacy.

zimad-graffiti-action-at-5Pointz

Have you any thoughts about the movement of graffiti into galleries?

I think it’s great, but once it’s in a gallery, it’s not graffiti. It’s aerosol art.

How do you feel about the role of the Internet in all this?

On the positive side, it gets my work out all over the world. But it also makes it too easy for people to imitate one’s work.

Have you any feelings about the photographers in the scene?

Some are good; some aren’t. But I think if a photographer sells his photos, he should share his profits with the artists.

What do you see as the role of the artist in society?

To invite the public into their world. To share their story with others.

Urban-Convictions-Rogue-Gallery

What do you see as the future of graffiti?

Graffiti is the biggest art movement in the world. It will continue to grow.

What about you? What’s ahead for you?

For me, I will continue to create every day of my life and share what is on my mind through my art for the world to see.

Interview by Lois Stavsky; Photo 1, Zimad as a young teen, courtesy of the artist; photo 2, Zimad at the Bushwick Collective by Tara Murray; photo 3, Zimad at 5Pointz by Lois Stavsky; photo 4,  Zimad at 5Pointz by Tara Murray; photo 5, Zimad on canvas by Lois Stavsky

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Active on the streets of NYC for over 30 years, James Sexer Rodriguez has also achieved wide commercial success as a designer.  His works on canvas, fusing elements of graffiti and realism, have been exhibited in galleries in NYC, the Caribbean and in Europe. His upcoming exhibit, Urban Convictions, will feature his new works — alongside new paintings by Zimad — this Friday evening at Rogue Gallery Chelsea, 508 West 26th Street.

Sexer

When and where did you first get up?

I started tagging in notebooks when I was about 10. By the time I was 13, I was hitting the walls in the South Bronx with tags. And within a short span of time, the tags evolved into pieces.

What inspired you?

My ex-brother-in-law was a writer with B.A. (Bronx Artists), and my entire neighborhood was a breeding ground for writers.

Have you any early graffiti-related memories that stand out?

We used to steal ink from the supermarket and make our own markers. I remember spilling the ink all over myself, as I was getting ready to go bombing.

Sexer-on-canvas

Did you represent any crews?

I was president of BA (Bronx Artists); other crews I represented include OTB, SYB, SSB and12 Disciples.

Have you ever been arrested?

I was caught several times, but booked only once – for a misdemeanor for public defacing.  Basically, the police didn’t want to do the paper work, and so they just let me go. Things were different back in the day and they actually let us finish the pieces.

How did your mom feel about what you were doing back then?

My mom was oblivious to just how illegal graffiti was, but she always knew where I was going and what I was doing.

Sexer

What is the riskiest thing you did?

Painting pieces in a tunnel with a one-inch clearance between the train and the wall.

Why were you willing to that that risk?

I wasn’t thinking! I was looking for fame. You couldn’t pay me to do it now!

Do you work with a sketch-in-hand or do you just let it flow?

About 90% of the time I work with a sketch. What I do these days is largely conceptual, and it takes planning.

Are you generally satisfied with your finished piece? 

I work on it until I am satisfied with it.

Sexer and Zimad

Have you a formal art education?

I went to Art & Design High School, where I was around writers like Doze, Crash and Seen, Paze, Size, Ence.  I also attended FIT and did some courses at Parsons.

What percentage of your time is devoted to art?

95% of it. I live off my art. My kids and my art are my life.

Are there any particular cultures that have influenced your aesthetic?

I wouldn’t say I’ve been influenced by any specific cultures. But life, itself, and growing up in the South Bronx and New York City have probably been my main aesthetic influences.

Sexer

Any thoughts about the graffiti/street art divide?

I don’t like labels. I’m originally a graffiti artist, but I like street art.  Street artists may use different techniques and tools, but they have given us all – including galleries — a new lease on life.  Just look at all the attention Banksy and the art community have been getting since he began his residency on NYC streets!

How do you feel about that – the attention that Banksy has been getting?

It’s good. It keeps the art community healthy.

Why do you suppose the art world has been so reluctant to embrace graffiti?

Probably because of graffiti’s association with vandalism. It’s problematic to many.

Any favorite arists?

Certainly Picasso. He had so many styles and could do just about anything. Among graffiti writers, my favorites include Seen, Doze Green, Duro, Pase and Crash

Sexer and Zimad

How do you feel about the role of the Internet in all this?

It’s a blessing. You don’t have to have a million dollars to market yourself. The Internet has become a vital tool.

Have you any feelings about the photographers in the scene?

I am thankful for their coverage. But it’s important that they ask the artist’s permission and that they credit the artist whose work they are photographing.

What do you see as the role of the artist in society?

The artist has a responsibility to share his God-given talents with the world.

Urban-Convictions-Rogue-Gallery

What do you see as the future of graffiti?

Graffiti is here to stay. It’s exciting and invigorating, and it is attracting an increasingly diverse following.

What about you? What’s ahead for you?

Well, after so many years of painting and striving for better and better, there’s only one direction for me: UP. I refuse to stop. I will continue to document my imagination and my emotions on whatever surface is in front of me. I love sharing my art.

Interview by Lois Stavsky; photo 1, close-up from Sexer’s new self-portrait, courtesy of the artist; photos 2 and 3, from Sexer’s solo exhibit at 5Pointz, by Dani Reyes Mozeson; photos 4 and 6, with Zimad at 5Pointz, by Lois Stavsky; photo 5, Sexer painting at 5Pointz, by Tara Murray

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