Motel Interview

Our second PaintingTheTown interview is with Motel7. She has become one of Cape Town’s top writers in the last few years and has also recently had major success in the fine art world. Her solo exhibition titled, “Tears and Castles” runs until 11 April at the 34 On Long Gallery.

When did you start writing?

I started my interest in graffiti when I was 16, so 6 years ago, but I would like to think that I only really started writing 2 years ago. Everything before that was just me messing around…..I got SERIOUS about graffiti 2 years ago.

Did anyone in particular get you into writing or where you particularly inspired by any writers when you started?

I remember being really inspired by this European artist, Anus. I really got into characters when I was 17/18. Of course I owe a lot to Crabz and Prose who were the first people I painted with. Toe was a huge inspiration too.

How did you choose your tag?

I chose Motel after watching a movie with some sleazy motel………a light bulb went off in my head. I wish there was more of a story to it than that, but that’s it really. I liked M’s, so I knew I wanted something with an M in it.

What is your favourite piece you have ever done?

I think my favourite piece to this day has to be the one I painted with Prose and Crabz opposite the Newlands cricket ground. Not that it was particularly good, in fact it was terrible, but I remember being so chuffed with that piece. I don’t really get chuffed anymore with my pieces, I always feel like it could be better.

Who are your three favorite South African writers?

Its kind of difficult to only say three, but if i had to it would be Toe, Rasty and Falko

Describe the craziest situation that you have been in as a result of graffiti?

I think probably painting with Risk in Sweden. It was like pulling myself out of my comfort zone of Cape Town, and throwing myself into a different dimension of reality. I was there in December. I remember being so cold that I ended up not caring what I was painting. We walked for so long in this minus 10 degree weather, and painted so much. That is what graffiti is about in my opinion. Missioning for so long, and painting, getting a photo, and moving on to the next wall.

Style is something that is very subjective at times. How would you define really good style?

I think good style is something that is not forced. It is something that someone has thought about, something that you spend time perfecting. Some people have it, some people don’t……style is EVERYTHING.

Pick your three favorite international writers and explain why you chose them.

Bates: I can’t even explain why I have always had him at number one, but I think it is because he is a multi talented graffiti artist.

Aroe: Aroe for me has changed the way I look at fills, the way I look at backgrounds, and how important backgrounds are. Also, his style OWNS!

Ogre: I am not a huge fan of organic hippy pieces. Ogre manages to make his piece look organic but super burner and amazing at the same time. I don’t know, he just rules.

There are so many more I would like to mention but these are the three I choose I guess.

Having had success in the fine art world, has this changed your approach to graffiti?

The only thing that has changed is the fact that I want to paint a lot more, and make a name for myself here in Europe. I’d like to think my fine art work is too different from my graffiti work for it to change my view on graffiti.

Do you think that all graffiti is art or do you draw a line between the two?

That’s a very powerful question with no real answer. I think what Cros and Disk do is graffiti, and I think they would be happy to know that people do not consider their graffiti “art”. It’s more of a graffiti attitude, than them trying to be ‘arty’. Well, that’s how I see it. And in the same vein, a lot of what people do on legal walls is really bad, so how can that be considered art? But back to illegal vs. legal, I think illegal graffiti isn’t trying to be art. It’s trying to say fuck you to whoever wants to listen, and “hey look at me!”. I don’t think there is any right or wrong, it’s a preference. We can’t say that what they were doing in New York in the 70’s was one or the other, because they were both. You’ve got writers that were all about the aesthetic, and you got writers that were all about going all city, bombing ‘da’ city. But, then you get people like Augor and Revok in America, who manage to do both. So I don’t know. This answer is debatable I know, everyone will have a different opinion.

Your own style has often been classified as a European style. How do you rate European style vs American styles at the moment?

I think both equally have great things happening, which I guess happens when you have such old scenes. But let’s talk about Australia and New Zealand! There are some amazing writers coming out of there, and I think we should be watching them, not worrying about America and Europe. I think South Africa has to step up its game!

What are your opinions on the growing popularity of street art?

There are some SUPER amazing street artists here in Europe. Look out for a guy called MUDWIG, really cool stuff. But…stencils. Don’t get me started on stencils. If you want me to yawn, show me a stencil. There is so little innovation, unless you integrate it with something else. And even then it makes me all giddy. It’s like rollerblades; they go in the FAIL cupboard. Stencil-FAIL.

What do you think are the weaknesses of the Cape Town graffiti scene?

I think Cape Town writers are WAAAAY too worried about making their stuff look too European, that they end up making their graffiti look boring and played out. Don’t be scared to try something new!

Being one of only two female writers in Cape Town what have been your experiences in becoming an established member of the graffiti scene?

The only thing that I have noticed about being a girl is how hostile writers are towards me in South Africa. Either it’s the fact that I am better than them that they can’t stand, or they don’t even give me the chance to prove that I can paint. This doesn’t bother me at all, as all the hostility makes me want to get better. I don’t want to be good “for a girl”.

What would be your advice to someone who wanted to start graffiti?

Sketch lots! And remember how important style is. Develop a style that you can say is yours. Respect your elders, and listen to what they have to say. The best thing to do would be to find someone that is good and get them to mentor you. That’s what annoys me in South Africa; how little interest the better writers have in the up and coming. You’ll get there! You just need dedication and passion…

Graffiti is often seen as completely illogical by the general public. Why do you paint?

I often think about this, as the general public always seem to look bewildered at the fact that we spend so much time and money doing what we do. I do it because it is something I feel a part of, it’s like a secret society and only we know the rules. It’s a challenge. I love painting outside, I love the texture and feel of walls, I love working with spraypaint, I love creating a style that I can call my own. I was always a misfit as a child, and I feel like I finally belong somewhere.

Do you think the internet is good or bad for graffiti?

I think the internet is good for graffiti as it has created more of a global network. People seem too worried that their work is on the net, and that people express their views on forums. Well, why the hell not. If I was always so worried about everything I did, watching every step to make sure I didn’t come across as too opinionated, or uploading my latest piece, I never would have met the people I have. We need to accept that the internet is here, and lets milk it if we can. Isn’t that the graffiti way? Abuse the system if you can? Either way, I am not really bothered about whether it’s a good or bad thing; I do things my way because I want to!

Any Shout Outs?

Balrog, Play, Toe, Plastik, Faith47, Crabz, Tocil, Cros, Sure, Falko, Mak1, Trix, Slate, Anoy, Emba, Crave, Mase, Disk, Laze, Editor, Eron and every other writer in South Africa or abroad that is making a difference in the scene.