Meggs Paints Epic ‘Rising Up, Back On The Streets” Mural In Detroit

Melbourne born and bred artist David “Meggs” Hooke shows the world what he’s made of with this massive mural he painted in Detroit. Last week the weather wasn’t promising for the task of painting 60 feet in the air on a boom lift. The winds were high and the rain didn’t help either. But Meggs is the kind of artist who pushes through the elements regardless of what he’s challenged with.  Dozens of murals and graffiti has been splashed across The Motor City in the last few years.  But I have a feeling this wall will show the world & especially Detroiters how far graffiti and its players have taken the game.  Meggs has an infinite arsenal of talent under his belt from canvases, sculptures, letters and now his biggest painted wall to date. We are proud to have this wall here as much as we are to have Dave in our 1xRun family.  Read on below as Meggs breaks down his wall and his latest print release.


Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

1xRUN Thru Interview
Rising Up, Back On The Streets by Meggs

1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, although the original is sold and we have this print, it was created as a massive mural here in Detroit correct?
Meggs:  Yes, the original painting, which also features a Tiger and the text ‘Rise Up’ as the central focus, was one of the larger pieces in my solo show. It was created as my homage to the city of Detroit. The tiger is an iconic symbol for the city and has been used as the symbol and name for the Detroit Tigers baseball team for a century, as one of the oldest running teams in the U.S. For this reason, the Tiger is a symbol that all Detroiters relate to and feel proud ownership of – it is a symbol that’s born from Detroit’s glory days and one that survived its unfortunate downfall. I interpreted this as a constant symbol of hope and strength the city can hang onto, going into a new era of change, and hopefully regrowth.

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

As soon as I created the tiger painting, I knew that I wanted to use this image and elaborate on it for a mural. Focusing on the Tiger and the words ‘Rise Up,’ I hoped to convey the energy and momentum of self-empowerment and moving forward. It was my way of giving back to a city that had welcomed me, inspired me and allowed me to take from it and create my own artwork and experience of being there.

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

1xRun: How long did the mural take you?
Meggs:  The mural itself took about a week and a half from preparation to solid days painting. We had a few logistical hurdles to jump along the way, but Michigan weather and the locals smiled on us making the long days and sore back muscles well worth it.

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

At over 6000 sq. ft., this is my largest and most detailed solo mural project to date. I am extremely proud of the personal achievement and the end result. The response from the people I met in Detroit was overwhelmingly positive. I’m extremely stoked to have made this milestone piece in a city that showed me nothing but love & support during my stay.

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

Street Artist Meggs paints Rise Up Mural in Detroit

1xRun: Tell us a bit about this painting, we’ve got a massive 36×36 inch print as well as an 18×18 edtion…
Meggs:  It was a key piece in the ‘Spoiled Rotten’ exhibition, which focused on the decay of consumerism and popular culture. The exhibition played on the decay of social morality stemming from modern society’s obsession with pop culture and overindulgent materialism, and continues my perpetual fascination with dualism and finding beauty in tragedy.

1xRun: When was this piece created and with what materials?
Meggs: This piece During my residency at Inner State Gallery during August and September of 2014. original painting was created with a mixture of acrylic paint, aerosol, and water-based aerosol on stretched canvas. They were mounted with a repurposed wood frame.

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1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Meggs:  The tiger and text ‘Rise Up’ implies empowerment and the ability for individuals to rise up against great odds.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Meggs:   Approximately one week.

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1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Meggs:  This is probably one of my most detailed paintings to date, with a lot of layering, textures, and small details that reference and mimic the textures and colours that cover the multi-faceted landscape of Detroit.

1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Meggs:  I believe it’s a dynamic and multi-layered piece with a positive underlying message.

1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Meggs:  Strength.

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1xRun: You are a tireless hustler, after your show here in Detroit you were immediately working before coming back here to knock out this massive mural, what has your schedule like been since Spoiled Rotten?
Meggs:    I’ve only just arrived back to studio time here in LA after the show. The schedule was definitely tight & busy. I went to DC for the Emerge Art Fair, NYC for a quick break, and Atlanta to paint at the A3C hip hop festival between the show and starting the huge mural.

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1xRun: What else is on the docket for you for the rest of the year?
Meggs:  My docket for the rest of the year consists of some studio works, commissions, and walls here in LA, and some new brand and mural projects in the works. Of course, I will be attending the yearly paint pilgrimage to Miami for Art Basel, where I’ll be doing a wall, live painting, and have pieces included in both Scope & Aqua Art Fairs through ThinkSpace Gallery (LA).

1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Meggs: Apart from Art Basel my next major show is at StolenSpace Gallery in London, in early February 2015.

-1xRUN

Photos & Introduction by Mike Popso
Interview by Pietro C. Truba