We first came across the street art of Asboluv during the Paint & Beer festival in Amsterdam, 2008. We were instantly imressed by the inspiring stencil art work he left at Villa Friekens. His amazing stencil art, stickers and work on canvas intrigued us and made us send the man some ‘spam’ interview questions on a Saturday night (yes, pathetic, we know). Even bigger was our surprise when we got some answers back that were better than we had hoped for! So please have a seat and enjoy another ‘spam’ interview, this time with UK street artist Asboluv.
We saw Asbo in action during the Paint and beer session last year, and frankly we were instantly impressed by the work he left at villa Friekens. His inspirational stencils, stickers and canvas work intrigued us and made us send the man some spam on saturday night (yes, pathetic, we know). Even bigger was our surprise when we got some answers back, better than we hoped for! So please have a seat and enjoy another SPAM! interview with Mr. Asboluv.
What were you doing the moment you received these questions?
My youngest daughter and I have these ‘slow motion play fights’, the rules are you MUST respond in ‘slow motion’ and pull faces and make sound effects, I was reading your e-mail when she was landing me a jab to the face accompanied by a punch to the kidneys..we carried on from there for a while
Which cartoons did you watch as a kid, and which were your favorites?
I love Daffy Duck, when he goes nuts and starts spitting and spluttering and bouncing off the walls has me in fits..classic!!
What is your favorite gaming character?
I’m not into gaming, but my daughter has Star Wars Lego for the PS2..I met the producer last year at a rave in Wales, his name is Loz, he sent my daughter the latest Bat Man Lego and a limited edition keyring…top fella!
What got you into to street art, and what makes you keep on doing it?
As an artist I am very new to the scene, I was always interested in art as a kid and was painting t-shirts and jackets for myself and friends, punk bands, CRASS, Dead Kennedys that kind of stuff, I would stencil the CRASS symbol and band names etc, then I stopped painting for a long, long while.
In 2005 after a void that included marriage, children, too many chemicals and fighting in car parks stencils caught my eye, both locally in my home town and abroad, I picked up a pencil and paper some laminate a scapel and some car paint, somebody told me that pictures of my stencils were on the internet, I bought a digital camera and disovered another world. I also started viewing the world I inhabit in a very different way…
What was the first thing you put up on a wall?
a stencil of Christ..
Legal or illegal?
Illegal, I love painting with other people but there is nothing better than getting up at some stupid hour of the morning and being alone in a decaying, derelict building with nothing but your own thoughts, images and spraypaint, nothing to accompany you except the whisperings of the ghosts of those that lived before you..hahah I’m so fucking poetic!! I’m normally tripping over syringe needles and excrement!!
Which artist would you like to work with in the future?
When I started making stencils a few years ago I never thought I would be painting with Grafik Warfare: SNUB, Orticanoodles, Hutch, FarkFK etc It was Hutch’s work that caught my eye from the very begining, outstanding!. SNUB has been a major influence, he has taught me so much technically but most importantly he gave me the confidence to ‘go large’ with my work. he pushes me to experiment and try new things, his drive and energy know no bounds, cheers fella ; ))
I have to mention C215, I love stencil’s and I love portraits, he has encouraged me and recently asked me to show my work at Stencil History X in Berlin, I just finished painting for the show today..
I hooked up with Nylon recently, although probably best known for his Graffiti he is an extremely diverse artist and a wealth of knowledge and experience, Nylon, C215, SNUB all completely different as artists in their styles/techniques, background etc, having been fortunate to witness them work first hand on the street they all have one thing in common, they are 110% focused on what they do and the end result, the same energy, focus and detail you might see in the gallery is exactly what they take to the street, they appear most at home on the streets as apposed to some who tinker in the safe spaces that are well documented ..its just what they do..very inspirational!!
Favorite city, and favorite thing about it?
London!! I love this country and I love our capital, I have been to many countries and many cities, I love experiencing other cultures, but ENGLAND is my home!!
What is your favorite music/genre/artist/album
Punk, Reggae (Roots, DUB), ska, House I go to gigs, raves, club nights..a couple of weeks ago I went to see The Buzzcocks..superb night!!..last week I was at a House night with Mrs ASBOluv (she hates punk) that my friend was DJ’ing at..superb night!!
What is your favorite item to take on the road with you?
My sanity..but some times I leave it at the door..
Best graffiti/street art spot we should check out:
Dig around, have a little poke about, unearth some stones, stray from the path, take a risk..you might surprise yourself.. ; ))
If you could fill a swimming pool with something, what would it be?
A sound system, some beer, Mrs ASBOluv, my kids, my mates, some paint, you know we would have a good time!!
Bill (PC) or Steve (MAC)?
couldn’t give a fuck, as long as I can access the Internet and download some pictures..
What can we expect from you in the future?
Painting on concrete walls in places where I should not be…and the most love and respect for anyone doing the same..
