MEZ ONE
Creepy old men in suits with intense angry expressions, bloody mouth and glowing zombie eyes, yellow teeth and faces distorted with agony – these outstanding images, created by Mez One, are so powerful, they’ll haunt you forever. The meaning behind the images is just as powerful.
Interview by Katya Guseva
“Our lives are bombarded with mediocracy, advertising and corporate ownership. Graffiti rebels against that, and I love it.”
How did you become a graffiti writer?
My earliest influences are Iron Maiden album covers. In fact, that’s the first piece of graffiti, I ever remember seeing. I was probably in 2nd or 3rd grade, and I remember seeing Eddie, painted in a tunnel, next to the apartments I was living in. I think, that seared graffiti into my subconscious. Of course comics, toys and cartoons played a big part in my artistic development. And the biggest influence into graffiti, growing up, was Hip Hop. I started getting the Source when I was in Jr High, Chino had a graff section in it. I looked forward to that every month. I started drawing it, but didn’t really start tagging till like 95. I was in high school. I did my first full piece with characters in 96.
How do you describe your graffiti style?
I’m a character artist, I used to do letters back in the day, but now I focus on imagery. I still love to do handstyles though. I’m mostly recognized for my big blue faces. I enjoy painting gnarly old men in suits or distorted bodies. A lot of it focuses on the elites, greed, oppression, and ‘the hidden agenda’. I feel it’s necessary to get out the message of the NWO, and this is my contribution.
What’s your relationship to graffiti?
Well, we’re still together, so that says a lot. Seriously though, I’ve always loved graffiti, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I even like seeing Toby loves Jenny Lou on an overpass in the Midwest. To me, graffiti is life (not to be confused with ‘graffiti is my life’) it’s a voice, an expression. Our lives are bombarded with mediocracy, advertising and corporate ownership. Graffiti rebels against that, and I love it.
What are the legal issues that a graffiti artist in TX faces?
Don’t get caught. Nowadays it seems like they really try and throw the book at you. And I feel like they are cracking on youngsters to make examples out of them.
Do you have a favorite piece of your work?
I don’t have any favorite pieces, I have ones that I like and ones I don’t like. I always feel like I’m improving and need improvement. With the nature of graff, nothing is permanent, I’ve always liked that about it.
How do you kick back and relax?
Typical shit, I love to kick it with my homies, I go out quite a bit to catch shows, but every now and then I like to chill at the casa and watch a movie.
What medium would you like to try besides graffiti?
Oil has always had my interest. There is something rich and elegant about oil paintings. It seems to be pinnacle of artistic integrity.
What are your inspirations?
Oh man, lots. I love the renaissance painters and they’re techniques, Art Nouveau, Alfons Mucha, Diego Rivera. But contemporary I would say R. Crumb, Todd Schor, Robert Williams, Doze Green, Jeff Soto, Mac Crew, Mode 2, Saber, Sam Flores, Ron English, Zephyr, Andrew Jones, Marko Djurdjevic, Vyal, ATT crew, HSA crew, Totem, Mr. Jago, Retna, El Mac, Chet Zar, Frank Frazetta, Barry McGee, Aaron Horkey… I could keep going. I’m also inspired by all the people I write with, and all the new people I meet.
- My wildest dream is to see us truly free
- I’d like to be famous for my art
- If I ever meet David Hasselhoff, I will laugh
- Big up to Grooveholmes, Hiksa, Sloke, Wake, Saint, Mesage,
Worm, Reks, Ewzr, Vern, Cause, Degas, Seoul,
Grommit, Innerlign, Tyrant, Sloppy Jackson, IO,
Coach Smizno, John E Glock, Seiji, Supher, Sear,
Benzo, Skyler, Mike, Joel, all the Austin, Houston
and San Antonio homies!
