Contributor Brittany M. condcucted an interview with Graffiti Artist Will Kasso who is based in Trenton, New Jersey.
What inspires your work?
My work is inspired by life! My family, my city of Trenton, NJ and so on. I use alot of references from my past in my personal canvas work. I come from a very close family and we went through a lot of highs and lows together and I bring that out in my canvas work. As for my public murals, I mainly focus on subject matters that interest me, such as philosophy, religion and hip-hop. I recently finished a mural for NJTL(National Junior Tennis League) with one of my frequent collaborators, graffiti artist LUV-ONE. I painted an image of Aurthur Ashe in the mural, who was a tennis superstar and dedicated has life toward helping others. People like him are the types of figures I want to continue to paint publicly. Especially in the inner city, were so much media focus is built around negativity. I want to continue to paint positive representations of minorities…and not the stereotype.
At what age, did you realize that your talent was something that needed to be expressed to others?
Well, I knew since I was very young that art was going to play a huge part of my life. I didn’t take it seriously as a career until I had my daughter. I was 24 when she was born. That’s when I realized I had been taking for granted for so long the very thing that could be used to support myself and my family. Since her birth I’ve been pushing extremely hard to make my way in this career. Trust, its not the easiest way to pursue a living, but I love what I do and when others respond positively toward my work and say that my work inspires them, that is the ultimate payday. No amount of money can match the feeling of someone telling you that your work inspires them to focus on their passion. No amount!
Is Graffiti Art your main style or is there another term that you like to label your work as?
I don’t mind the term “graffiti.” My thing is breaking the stereotype. Many tend to think of all graffiti artists as little kids just running around reckless with spray paint. Many of the graf artists that do the higher end type of art are in their 20s and 30s…or older. We all come from the tagging, vandalistic attributes of graf, but that’s not the only element of what graf is. Graffiti is freedom. We do what we want and when we want. I’m at the point where I want to educate and inspire. My work is not traditional “graffiti.” I do graffiti influenced artwork. I work in all mediums. So, as far as what title I prefer, I prefer ”Hip-Hop Artist” since hip-hop culture is what I represent throughout everything I do.
What type of materials do you prefer to use?
For my murals, spray paint. Their is no other medium that you can use to produce a large scale work in a short amount of time and still maintain a solid quality. For canvas? doesn’t matter…i like it all. Acrylics, oils, watercolor, pen and ink; doesn’t matter. I love to experiment with different mediums. I don’t think I ever just settle with just one.
Where can more of your work be found and do sell any of your work?
Most of my murals are here in Trenton, NJ. I also have murals in Washington, DC, Rochester, NY, and Philadelphia, PA. You can view my work on my flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/kasso_vs/ For purchasing art inquires, one can reach me through e-mail: willie.condry@gmail.com
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Yes, first I’d like to take the time out to thank you for this interview. Much appreciated! I like to send massive love to the city of Trenton, NJ for their continued support, to my crews VS and S.A.G.E Collective, and to all that continue to support the arts and creative minds. One love.
Interview conducted by IVYBetty Contributor: Brittany McGhee
Johnny T. is the Video and Design page editor as well as a contributor to the music Page for IVYBetty.com.
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