Askew One Is Stranded

Askew One is a multi-disciplinary artist mostly renown for his graffiti art paintings. Widely regarded as one of the New Zealand graffiti scene’s driving forces he has managed to remain at the forefront of the movement whilst working tirelessly behind the scenes in a diverse array of projects.

A restless personality, a touch of ADD mixed with a childhood amidst the 80’s sugary-diets, TV parenting and general explosion of mass pop-culture shaped Askew during his formative years. His work draws greatly from New Zealand’s geographical isolation and it’s subsequent desire to feel inclusion through pop-cultural appropriation. He is particularly intrigued in how trends mutate and break beyond being a caricature of their source. He is currently focussed on helping re-define the New Zealand graffiti aesthetic along with his main contemporaries, members of TMD, RTR and GBAK crews. Steeped in the foundation and tradition of ‘NYC Subway’ influenced graffiti, Askew wishes to see writing thrive in New Zealand, evolve past mere imitation or what he terms ‘Karaoke Painting’.” – via Askew One

Askew For The Detroit Beautification Project

Here for his 3rd RUN with us, we are excited to present a print birthed on the tables here at the 1xRUN offices from Askew, his latest Stranded, comes in 4 colorways. Read on to see tons of mural flicks, videos and the 1xRUN Thru with Askew.

The Detroit Beautification Project Preview from TheSeventhLetter on Vimeo.

1xRUN Thru Interview

Stranded by Askew

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?

Askew:  May 3rd, 2012

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

Askew:  The idea came about after being stranded in the US on this recent trip. I appreciate the way all of the most prolific aspects of American pop culture are born from completely dysfunctional influences. Usually I feel like I’m on the outside looking in – whilst in the US, I felt like I was in the dead center of it all.

Askew For The Detroit Beatification Project

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

Askew:  This piece features my unique style of hand painted typography.

1xRun: Why should people buy this print?

Askew:  Why not?

1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.

Askew:  graphic.

Run #00248 // Stranded by Askew // Jun 25, 2012 – Jul 08, 2012

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

Askew:  From as soon as I could grasp something to make a mark.

1xRun: What was your first piece?

Askew:  I really don’t know.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?

Askew:    I was mostly inspired by comic book artists early on, especially Batman and 2000ad artists.

1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

Askew:  Shane Cotton, Chris Knox, Takashi Murikami, John Pule, Retna, Revok, Rime, Gregor Kregar and more…

RIME x MYLA x ASKEW x DABS x REVOK from Askew One on Vimeo.

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

Askew:  I listen to a lot of music – I listen to every genre. Need music in my life.

1xRun: What was the first & last piece of art that you bought? Do you still have them?

Askew:  I have only ever bought one piece of art – a wooden fish by Kozy & Dan. It’s super awesome.

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

Askew:   Always keeping busy. Never not doing something.

SAVAGE ‘TWERK’ from Askew One (Ed. note: Check the video Directed & Edited by AskewOne)

1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?

Askew:  WebsiteFacebookTwitterVimeo

-1xRUN