1xRun Thru Interview
Circulate System Shift by Augustine Kofie
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale?
Augustine Kofie: This is my third screen print that I’ve created hand painted separations. I’m learning each time I create the next print. I always want them to be their own beast, still part of my creative viewpoint and characteristics, but they are always a unique approach and offering. This go around I had a chance to go in harder on the opacities in the inks and create more fun, unexpected colors in the layers. The original reference piece itself is no longer available. The prints are a fringe version of ‘Circulate Aqua System Shift’ (pictured left below) which was part of the Graffuturism group show L’Avenir at White Walls last year.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Augustine Kofie: Circulate System Shift is in tune with my Circulatory System themed works, but a bit more focused on the ‘circle’ foundation. The inclusion of the ‘rotation’ contrasts well against my linear interpretations.
1xRUN: When was this piece created and with what materials?
Augustine Kofie: I painted the separations on site a few weeks back in January at the Seriopress’s new print space in El Sereno, a faction of north east Los Angeles and one of the oldest communities in LA. The original piece was produced in mid February, 2014 using opaque process black ink, spray paint and paint markers for the separations.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Augustine Kofie: 1xRun brought the idea to the table and I wanted to work with (Seriopress master printer) Tony Clough again. No brainer.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Augustine Kofie: The separations session took 7 hours, straight. No lunch break, straight grinding. We’ll have to ask Tony about the total printing time.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Augustine Kofie: I would say the final print of the piece. It’s a print the fundamentally locks in the entire piece with a transparent oxidized haze. It’s faint enough to ‘yellow’ the paper, but subtle enough to both subdue the color as well as bring out the varied interactions of layers. This final haze print also brings the white highlights out in areas where white ink hits white paper.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece?
Augustine Kofie: It’s delicate clamor on paper. Created by hand. Printed by hand. It’s a timeless contribution to my catalogue.
1xRun: Describe this print in one gut reaction word.
Augustine Kofie: Vintage technology. 
1xRun: This will be your first year joining the Pow Wow Hawaii family, who are some of the artists you’re really excited to see working out there?
Augustine Kofie: Looking forward to catching Vhils jackhammering a wall.
1xRun: Anybody you’d personally like to collaborate with if the opportunity presented itself?
Augustine Kofie: DEFER.
1xRun: Have you been to Hawaii before or will this be your first time out there? What are you looking forward to?
Augustine Kofie: This will be my 3rd time to the islands. First time with POW WOW. I’m looking forward to putting my social anxieties to the test.
1xRun: Do you have any plans for your wall out there or are you just going to improvise it when you get there?
Augustine Kofie: I only sketched something up as Jasper of POW WOW wished to ease the property owners woes. So I have an idea, yes.
1xRun: You’ve been staying crazy busy per usual, bring us up to speed on some of the walls you’ve been doing lately?
Augustine Kofie: After ‘The Z’ mural in Detroit I went straight to Mexico to paint a large mural intervention with All City Canvas. Truthfully, I’m a bit physically slammed. I painted a small mural entitled ‘Rotary Connection’ similar to ‘Circulate System Shift’ in Los Angeles, but I’m cooling off until Hawaii. My POW WOW wall is going to be pretty long, and it’s all on me.
1xRun: How did 2013 wrap up for you?
Augustine Kofie: Beyond words.
1xRun: Aside from Pow Wow 2014, what are your plans for the new year?
Augustine Kofie: Some still pending, but I have projects with some Graffuturism collaborators in the spring, a 2-man show in Milan with Moneyless and a solo in April in Mexico. Also working on a book project with ZERO+ publishing that I’m very excited about.
1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Augustine Kofie: Website – Facebook – Tumblr @TheyKeepDrafting – Twitter @Draftsmen – Vimeo + Flickr + Instagram @keepdrafting
-1xRUN