1xRUN Thru Interview
Freestyle Tiki by Prime & Estria
1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, what materials was it created with? When was this created?
Prime: MTN spray paint on metal door.
Estria: December 2012 during Art Basel Miami.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about? How long did the piece take?
Prime: We were cruising the neighborhood and came across a local crew painting on a building. They gave us the invite, so we wanted to share our culture with them. Duality is pretty common in Hawaiian culture and the tight space we were given made it easy to go with a character. The tiki and tentacles represent the 2 gods/brothers Kane (Heaven and Earth) and Kanaloa (Ocean and Spiritworld). Super chill dudes!
Estria: This piece took barely three hours.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Prime: It’s the only Hawaiian aerosol piece in Miami (besides the ALOHA wall we did too).
Estria: We freestyled this without a sketch. I like the blending of hip-hop and Hawaiian cultures.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Prime: The most important thing is that folks understand it’s meaning. Sharing the stories of our beautiful islands with others. It’s not so much a representation of us, but it represents those that have come before us (our ancestors/Kingdom). The passing of the IKE (knowledge) from us to you all. That’s where the value of this piece is.
1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.
Prime: Culture
Estria: Roots
1xRun: Is this your first year at Pow Wow? If so, how did you get involved?
Prime: I’ve been involved since the beginning and have built a strong partnership with Jasper Wong and the whole Pow Wow Famz.
Estria: This will be my third year, thanks to Prime introducing me to Jasper Wong.
1xRun: Any particular artists at Pow Wow who’s work you are excited to see in person?
Prime: We live in isolation from the rest of the world so I’m excited to see everyone’s stuff in person. It’s the only time of the year for us.
Estria: Roids, Jim Mahfood and Nychos. I’m looking forward to spending more time with many of the folks I know.
1xRun: You’ve already worked with quite a few other Pow Wow artists, any in particular you’d liked to work with for the first time or again?
Prime: We want to work with as many as possible and hopefully inspire them to infuse our culture with theirs. A cultural collaboration; that’s what Pow Wow is about.
Estria: Definitely Shark Toof anytime, anywhere. There are so many: Jeff Soto, Mare 139, Solomon Enos, Angry Woebot, Apex, 123Klan, Scribe, Orly Locquiao, Aaron dela Cruz.
1xRun: Any other excursions or plans while you’re in Hawaii that you’re excited about?
Prime: I’m excited to see the kids that I mentor get inspired by all the art that will be created during Pow Wow.
Estria: Sharing our history and culture with the visiting artists.
1xRun: What else have you been up to lately? What do you have coming up?
Prime: Right now, we’re in Pow Wow mode. Once that is done, I will be focusing on the 808 Urban x Pow Wow Hawaii aerosol workshop series. It’s a 1 year commitment to teach youth and get them ready to collab on a mural for next year’s Pow Wow.
Estria: I’m developing a 4-year series of 20 Mele Murals across the Hawaiian Islands. This program will work with local youth to be visual storytellers. We are aiming to build and sustain a public art movement grounded in the root culture of the Kanaka Maoli.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Prime: – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter: 808Urban
Estria: – estria.com – estria.org – Facebook – Twitter & Instagram: @estria
Prime & Estria – http://prime-estria.blogspot.com/