9:35am | He’s a writer. A graffiti writer. He’s toured with LL Cool J, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Musiq, and The Roots, doing live painting at their shows. He’s also produced a documentary, Primal Rap, about the underground rap scene, and appeared in ‘Day in the Lyfe,’ a documentary about graffiti artists.
Bron Theron is also a more traditional painter, and fine artist. This work (above), along with work by Lisa Hirata and Erik Glen, will be exhibited at Sipology, which is located on the South West corner of Broadway and Linden. The opening reception takes place this Saturday, August 14th, at 7:30 PM.
I began our conversation by asking Bron why he wanted to exhibit in Long Beach.
Bron: To be honest, I would rather show in Hollywood or Culver City. In those places I have better luck selling. I love Long Beach, but it just seems like people do not have money for art here.
Sander: Why show in Long Beach, then?
Bron: It is easy to show here. I live here. I drive a motorcycle, so I can’t really take my art far if its big. I guess because it is convenient to show in Long Beach. Sumako [curator for the gallery] is trying to showcase artists from Long Beach as well, so I guess I fall into that category. I believe the theory is to show the world there are good artists coming out in Long Beach who deserve recognition.
Sander: You work in a number of different styles. You do more traditional painting, but also graffiti art. What are the unique challenges and opportunities for each?
Bron: Well, graffiti art is my passion. That is what I love, and have gained the most recognition and success in. I try to do as many styles, and work with several mediums, to challenge myself and to make my lettering better.
It is an odd thing but the more you paint the better you get. The more I use airbrush the better I can use a brush. The more I use spray paint the better I get with a pencil. Everything helps each other out.
As far as opportunities, well, I can’t sell graffiti. I can’t open up to the world and say, “buy this illegal act,” (although I try) but I can capture some of the essence of graffiti art and put it into my other work. There are actually more opportunities for graffiti painters now then ever. I get a lot of live painting gigs for parties and movies using spray paint.
At the end of the day graffiti is illegal and art shows are not. I would like to see where I can go with my work in the world without the ties to the graffiti scene.
Sander: How did you develop both the passion, and the technique, for graffiti art. There isn’t a school, is there?
Bron: [laughs] Yes, there are schools for that… now, but when I started there was nothing close to a school. Nobody wanted to show you how to do graffiti either. It was way underground, and only a few people did it. Now there is the internet. You can find anything on the net: How to make markers, where to buy paint, tips, styles to copy… it kinda sucks.
When I started you had to develop your own style, and learn how to paint by actually risking your ass out in the streets to get practice. Now you can look up anything online, and it makes humans lazy. You can skip all the development stages as a graffiti writer. I developed passion for letters. I wanted good letters in High School, so I drew and painted all the time. I got caught painting and was on probation at age 16, so that gave me more time to draw. I developed tecnique by watching my friends and others in the game. I learned what to do and, more importantly, what not to do. It took many years of actually painting to get where I am today with my work.
Sander: Some friends just returned from Berlin, and they were amazed at how prevelent street art is. It is everywhere, and almost embraced in the main stream. Have you experienced that kind of freedom?
Bron: Not so much in America. I used to go to Canada, and it seemed they really liked that form of art. The only thing close to that is when I get gigs or tour with bands, and I do live painting. Then, everyone loves it. It is almost a commercial, though, and sometimes doesn’t feel right. I think Americans get uncomfortable when they see graffiti because it is not ‘controlled.’ When an advertisement uses graffiti in the design then people don’t mind because that is just a job or commissioned work, so it fits in the Capitalist mind state us Americans live in. I have never experienced freedom..only simulated freedom.
Sander: That’s a unique challenge for all artists: How does one keep their work pure and, at the same time, derive sustainance from it.
Bron: Easy: I do work for myself and I do work for others. I guess I work a lot. If I am getting paid to do a job then the artistic director is the employer. If I am not getting paid I do what I want, I try any medium I feel like trying, and I paint on surfaces at my discression. I gain more from my own work but it helps the business side of the art game as well.
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The art show, titled High n’ Low, is being presented at Sipology Gallery, located at 448 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802. The show is curated by Sumako of LVXEdge.com. The reception will also feature music by Thavius Beck, Earthkore, and the Lap Steel Duo. High n’ Low will be on display through September 3rd.