If you haven’t yet had your portrait drawn with one line in under one minute by the wonderfully passionate, nomadic Brooklyn-based 0H10 M1ke, tomorrow is your chance. From 6 – 10pm, Mike promises to do that and lots more at 198 Allen Street. Last week, we met up and caught up a bit.
When we last spoke in 2014, you said that your goal was to create 100,000 one-line matchbox portraits? Mine was 11,206! How close are you to your goal?
My most recent was #13,021! I’ve done quite a few at 17 Frost, at 198 Allen, on the trains, on the streets — anywhere I can!
How do you approach folks? And how do they respond?
I simply say, “Give me a New York moment; I’ll draw your portrait in one line on a matchbox in one minute.” They generally respond with skepticism. But once they see the portrait I’ve created, they like it.
In addition to your ongoing matchbox project, what other projects have engaged you as of late?
I’ve been preparing for my upcoming solo show and performance If Basquiat and Keith Haring had a baby…reimagining the works of Basquiat and Haring in one-line drawings. I’ve, also, been working on creating sculptures inspired by Warhol; instead of using Brillo boxes, I use Nike boxes. And I’ve been staging wrestling as dance, which will be projected –along with large portraits — onto a huge screen outside 198 Allen.
What inspires you to keep creating?
I’m compulsive. I have to. And people, the street art community in particular, have been welcoming and supportive.
Are there any particular artists out there who continue to influenc your aesthetic?
Obviously Haring and Basquiat. But other main influences include UFO and Neckface.
Anything else new — in terms of your art-making?
I’ve been getting my original drawings into hand-made books. I recently constructed a 3o-pocket rotating magazine rack, and I’ve filled it with all hand-made original artbooks and magazines. I also create on a larger variety of surfaces.
What’s ahead?
Murals, prints and reproducibles.
Good luck with it all!
Note: You can keep up with 0H10 M1ke here — now that he’s posting on Instagram!
Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky; all images courtesy of the artist
