How did you get into art?

Tony Hart & morph have a lot to answer for. I’ve always been in to art in some form or another. Graffiti wise, I lived with a writer called 'krept' for a few years and sort of got in to it then. I did a bit of tagging but mainly I was the look out, the whistler, owl noise man or stone thrower. Lying on a rooftop for hours, at the time it was enough for me I really wasn’t very good and didn’t want to add the endless amount of bad tags that littered the streets. Don’t get me wrong I like a good tag it's all in the hand style and is an art in itself, like calligraphy.
And that was it, just watching then sketching, I never really painted in those days but that’s were it all started.

How do you get inspiration for the pieces you produce?

I would like to say I just pull it out of the sky, well I suppose a little bit of it is, but I think a lot of it filters though everyday life, looking around, looking at other artists from all disciplines. I’m interested in different cultures from around the world and the folk law and myths they believe in.

What has been your best creation to date?

That’s hard I’ve never really been aware of anything of mine being good never mind the best!
Mind you my fish pie, pretty dam good!

Does street art get the recognition it deserves?

Things move in circles they come in and then they slide out again, street art is in at the moment, and at some point it will slide out, it’s whether its still recognized when it’s not used in adverts and the books aren’t on the coffee tables anymore?  So I’m not too sure whether it is recognition it’s receiving or just another art/fashion that’s being cashed in on? Real Street artists will keep doing what they do whether they’re been recognized or not. I reckon?

How much do you think hype affects the public perception of what good art is?

Hype smype I don’t care, it hurts my head to think about it. If I like it I like it, and if I don’t I don’t, hype or no hype. And if you can’t make up your own mind on what you like and what you don’t, and you need some power-masturbating plonker in a trucker hat and a £120 pair of trainers to tell what’s cool then you are also a plonker Rodney.

What's your favourite soup?

Minestrone.

Last CD you bought/downloaded/shoplifted?

Beirut. Gulag Orkestar (12” vinyl).

Describe your perfect day?

At the moment, not having the flu would be nice
And then a spot of painting.
And then some tea and toast.
Lovely.

Skateboarding is not a crime?

No, another art.

What makes you happy?

Saltfish and ackee.

What makes you sad?

Things I have no control over.

Sex, drugs or rock n roll?

Yep, not so much any more (I’m forgetting lots), no

Last book you read?

Why the sea is salty. Translated by Wesley Porter

What’s you most irritating habit?

Me.” What’s my most irritating habit?

My girlfriend. “That noise you make with your throat”.

What’s your favorite soup?

Minestrone

What else do like other than art?

Hanging with my lady and my cat, eating, cooking, watching the birds eat from my bird feeder. Hot baths.

What time did you get up?

9.00am

Throwing paint at a canvas = art?

Yes if it makes you happy, or helps you get something out.

Any regrets?

I’ll have to say no. (look it makes me sleep better at night, I don’t want to lie around thinking of things I wish I’d done or not done)

(Ask yourself (and answer) a question!)

What color pants are you wearing?

None I’m rocking commando.  

Final thoughts...

Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.

Interview - Mr. Burrows 17/12/06