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What’s the word on this new body of work?

I’ve been experimenting with silkscreen on wood, canvas and paper. I think I started with black and white because I felt comfortable with the 2 inks. The white and black silkscreen ink are very opaque, giving me the effects that I want. At this point I’m starting to move into colored inks.

You’ve been in Atlanta for a long time now and seen some major changes in the urban landscape. How do you feel about the aggressive gentrification that has occurred here over the past ten years?

 I actually like it. I think Atlanta has changed for the better. I miss some of the abandoned areas that were here years ago, but the city is moving in a direction which is more urban. Its nice to be able to take your dog to the new green spaces that are taking shape in the city. The new Forth Ward park is amazing. The BeltLine is going to change our city dramatically. Its funny, sometimes I don’t even remember how different Atlanta was just five years ago.

For a long time it was impossible to hang out in this city without seeing work by you and Sever. Was having a partner in crime something that was important to you?

I think we shared interests at the time which allowed for some good work. 

Your fine art is very different than that of most artists that come from graffiti in that it “fits” into the gallery world much more comfortably. Do you feel comfortable operating within the gallery scene or do you feel like an outsider?

At times I do feel that I come from a very different background than most artists within the gallery world. These days, graffiti and street art have really made an impact on the art world. It’s seems that more and more artists from that background are showing their work in a gallery environment. I feel like I’m more inspired today by the work of artists that don’t share my background. I do feel that the graffiti and street art aspect of the art world is continuing to develop into a really interesting movement like that of Dada and others that came before.

Is fine art your sole form of income at the moment?

Yes. I’ve got my eggs in several baskets within the arts. Public murals, paintings, corporate projects etc.

How did the big old oyster building project on the Easter Shore of Virginia come about?

A good friend of mine Taylor Means, helped curate the project. We obtained sponsorships from Sam Flax Art and Design and the Avondale Arts Alliance to help with material costs. We originally went up to the eastern shore of Virginia to paint a shipwrecked boat. We had some issues with jurisdiction on the island, so we moved to plan B which was the Oyster project. The whole process was filmed and we have an editor cutting it now. We’ll probably have a five minute piece on the trip and process of the mural.

Does it blow your mind to go from being an outlaw at large to being hired by the city to help beautify The Belt Line, one of the most ambitious urban revitalization projects in the country?

I feel like it makes sense. I’ve been really active with grant writing in the past year. I was fortunate to receive grants from The City of Atlanta as well as the BeltLine Inc. I’m hoping to be doing some more murals for the BeltLine this summer. I think its important for these organizations to commission artists who have history in the city. The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs is currently working with several other organizations in trying to preserve historical pieces of graffiti and public art, which I feel is very forward thinking.

If you were going to randomly sue anyone for one million dollars, who would you sue?

Charlie Sheen. 

Do you read books? If so, gimme a desert island three. 

No Logo, How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist without Selling your Soul. I should read more.

Music?

Alexander, LCD Sound System, Kanye West, Yaysayer, Deerhunter, Stones, Radio Dept.

How awesome is Walking Dead?

It’s great. I like that some of it was filmed in the Atlanta area.

What else say you?

Keep working

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For more info on Hense visit the following:
hensethename.com
sandlerhudson.com
knowngallery.com