In this exciting new series, Frank 151 invites you on a captivating journey around the globe, providing a unique glimpse into the narratives and imaginative landscapes of individuals who are driving creativity to new heights worldwide.
Embark on a visual and intellectual adventure as we delve into the worlds of not only photographers and actors but also delve into the realms of rappers, musicians, graffiti artists, filmmakers, and the visionary minds behind emerging brands. Our creative chronicles are set to unfold, offering a rich tapestry of insights, anecdotes, and life wisdom that traverse the vibrant streets to the dynamic boardrooms, from the vast oceans to the majestic mountains.
Join us as we connect with the crème de la crème of the creative realm, bringing forth a diverse spectrum of perspectives that highlight the intersection of artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship. From the pulse of urban streets to the serene landscapes, this series promises to capture the essence of the global creative scene, providing an immersive experience that transcends boundaries and celebrates the multifaceted expressions of human ingenuity.
In the vibrant realm where urban landscapes become canvases, Crisp stands as a luminary, weaving tales of activism and creativity through his street art. Hailing from a background rich in artistic heritage, Crisp’s journey began amidst the kaleidoscope of mediums his parents cultivated, from ceramics in the backyard kiln to the brushstrokes of his mother’s painting workshops. Embracing the ethos of street art in cities like London and Bogotá, Crisp honed his craft, infusing stencil and sculpture into the fabric of urbanity.
Today, as a global voice in street art, Crisp transcends boundaries, melding the raw energy of unsanctioned pieces with the refined strokes exhibited in galleries worldwide. His work speaks volumes about the state of contemporary urban art, where activism meets aesthetic innovation. Amidst diverse projects from murals highlighting local wildlife to collaborations empowering youth through art, Crisp continues to redefine public spaces with each stroke of his brush or placement of his sculptures. Join us as we delve into the world of Crisp, where every wall tells a story and every artwork challenges the status quo.
Frank 151: How Old were you when you first started exploring your creative side?
Crisp: I was lucky enough to be born into a very creative family. Therefore I grew up surrounded by art and the practise of creating art. My mother was a practising painter and drawer whom ran art workshops for kids. My father was into ceramics and had a kiln and workshop in our backyard. So I was immersed in being able to dabble and do art in a diverse range of mediums and garner experiences in all these wonderful artistic practises from a very young age.
Frank 151: Let’s talk a little bit about your art. So, you do graffiti? Do you fuck with fine art as well?
Crisp: I don’t actually do graffiti – as graffiti is a form of urban art which is the art of writing and typography. This was where all urban art stemmed from but I’d say I do street art!
Yes I definitely fuck with all things art, which includes fine art! I love the thrill and adrenaline of putting up works in the street especially illegal and unsanctioned pieces! As it brings some unexpected chaos to the mundane and overly boring urban design of today. Saying that the work I predominantly do in the street I also create on canvas, prints and sculptures that you can also experience in galleries and museums!
Frank 151: When did you first start getting into art and graffiti?
Crisp: As I mentioned before I got into art as far back as I remember, as my play time was filled with clay, paints, pencils and crafts with both my mum and dad! I was heavily into skating as I grew up and listening to rap and hip hop music a lot. Graffiti culture through the 80s influenced my upbringing from break dancing to beat boxing or at the very least attempting to do these things!
I got really interested in street art when I was living and traveling through the UK. This was when Banksy was blowing up. I was seeing a lot of his works pop up in London and Bristol at the time. This ignited my love of the stencil genre. This intensified when I moved to Bogotá Colombia, where I would argue is the most prolific urban art city in the world! This is where I honed my skills of stencil, sticker and sculpture bombing, pasting, and mural art!
Frank 151: As a creative, your natural impulse is just to make stuff, but then getting it to people and selling it is another skill set. How have you found the balance between these two things as a creator trying to live off his art and creative work?
Crisp: This can be difficult as there is a fine balance between staying true to your artform and selling out and doing art that sells! I find many street artists especially in Australia have to hustle hard doing commercial murals to pay the bills due to the high cost of living and the lack of the arts being supported here. Sport is king here whereas I’ve found artists have more opportunities in the US and Europe through stronger art markets.
I’m lucky in a way as I’m a practising physiotherapist too so I don’t have to rely on my art to pay my way, therefore I don’t have to rely on keeping clients or audiences happy. I can do what I want or choose what projects I want to work on. Saying that juggling both is a constant tug of war time wise as if I do more of one thing than the other I miss the other and feel unbalanced.
Frank 151: Do you really see a difference between street art and fine art? And where would you place yourself in that? in that? You know, that middle ground?
Crisp: Depends how you define these concepts as they can interplay and become one and the same but I see it from a site specific standpoint. Street art is in the urban environment and fine art is what you see in galleries and museums but street art can be fine art once these artists work is being exhibited in these spaces.
I personally feel more comfortable and at home in doing street art. Creating or placing works on walls especially in unplanned and spontaneous unexpected locations is the true nature of urban art to me. Walking or driving around our cities and towns and seeing a new piece pop up is an awesome feeling of discovery and is rare considering over saturation of advertising and paid pretty murals our councils control.
Frank 151: What do you personally think about the traditional rules of graffiti? What is the current state of graffiti and street art in Australia?
Crisp: I respect the traditions of graffiti and street art. I think unfortunately these days there are a lot of artists in this space that either don’t know these ways or just don’t respect them. Where writers are the main proponents of illegal works in the street most street artists are only doing legal and commissioned pieces which means it losses its edge and legitimacy to a degree I feel. Most of my early work was illegal and not paid at all and was a form of activism and highlighting important issues that I felt weren’t being highlighted the way they should in mainstream media. Street art to me has always had roots in activism and sending a message without censorship, manipulation or influence. I can’t comment on the graffiti scene as I’m not a writer but street art is also very city dependent, Melbourne has a strong urban art scene still whereas Sydney is pretty weak in terms of the number of street artists getting up in its purest form – illegal and bold!
Frank 151: Do you prefer painting on canvas or in the streets?
Crisp: Definitely the streets!
Frank 151: You do a lot of different forms or art from Star wars statues to murals of iconic Australian wild life, what inspires you to play in so many different forms of art?
Crisp: I get bored easily and I think I grew up playing with so many different mediums I love chopping and changing things up! I have fun playing with popular cultural icons and mixing them up with more traditional concepts and ideas! Also I like to move from 2 dimensional to 3D planes as I find sculpture is under represented in the urban art world. Placing my sculptures around cities adds an extra element people aren’t expecting on their commute or walk or drive! It’s drives curiosity and playfulness!
Frank 151: What are some projects you’ve got going on right now?
Crisp: I’ve got some cool projects in the works, one being a large mural highlighting the plight of local threatened species in the New England area of NSW Australia. Another facilitating the realisation of a large mural for a youth hub inspired by designs from a diverse mix of rural First Nations, Refugee, Migrant and local children. Plus some secrets missions I always keep in the mix.