Kzzit: What got you into designing? Due to work or you have always liked designing?
SquirtGun: Art and design has always been my passion since I was in high school. I usually scored in arts compared to other subjects which led me to study graphic design in college.
Kzzit: So what inspired you into doing stickers and bomb them in town?
SquirtGun: Well... it all started during my recent trip to Europe. Barcelona really open my eyes and mind. It was “the” place to be for a street artist. Street arts and graffiti are abundant, it’s in every nook and cranny of the old and new city. the Mercat de la Boqueria being the hub of every grafitti artist.
So i thought "if mat salleh (foreigners) can do it, why can't us Malaysians"
Kzzit: Great thinking
SquirtGun: But when I got back it was just on the back of my mind I was too lazy too push my ass off to do anything. A month later,there is this art exhibition at Galeri Iizu. They wanted to feature some digital artist in an upcoming show. I was invited to send in a piece of artwork and it was so last minute. They wanted me to come up with a piece in 3 days time.
An idea/style was conceived while I was babysitting my 1 year old daughter. I was doodling on a piece of paper in front of the kid, with an ambitious thought of teaching her how to draw. When I look at the doodle, I guess it just clicked that I could actually expand this. The result is the piece below. I guess it was part of the inner child in me that I came up with this style.
Kzzit: So what are those designs? Some said they look like worms some said fungus, what do you think they are?
SquirtGun: Haha. My friend called it “TAU GEH” (Malaysian word for Bean Sprout). To me they can be anything you want it to be.
Kzzit: How did u get to know about the art exhibition at Galeri Iizu?
SquirtGun: My fellow art director at my work place got invited and they wanted one more guy.
Kzzit: So it was kinda like by chance?
SquirtGun: yeah! They printed the artwork on a poster size canvas which look kinda cool to me. And the response at the opening night was quite overwhelming. http://www.galleriiizu.com/
My peers dig the new work and this is the first time they see my non-commercial work. Which is the first for me too!
Kzzit: I am a big fan of your work!
SquirtGun: Thanks man.
From there i thought, hey, why not I bring this art to the streets. It shouldn’t be stuck in the gallery, so the very first piece on the street was featured on Wooster (http://www.woostercollective.com)
Kzzit: yeah
Kzzit: Skull being influenced of you liking bikes?
SquirtGun: yeah! I have always been into designs that has skull in them. I suppose it stems from being involved in the biker culture/community.
Kzzit: How did sneakers come into your design? Reason being u are a big sneakershead yourself?
SquirtGun: yeah, the stuff that I love usually translates into the artwork.
A good example would be the latest homage series, reason being I am a big fan of pop art and 80s skateboard/surf style graphics.
Kzzit: Don’t u think the trend these days are all about "remixing" art? as in from the masterpiece?
SquirtGun: In some ways yeah. it can be making fun, poking around, homage or whatever we want to call it . Obey, Supreme, Stussy and others does it.
Kzzit: Yup
SquirtGun: On another note it also helps elevate the awareness of a particular artist/art/brand. You walk down the street and u see something that u relate to.
Kzzit: Thanks for you time buddy. Before we end this I would like to ask you a typical sneakerhead question. What are the 3 most wanted kicks on your list now?
SquirtGun: 1. Foot Patrol Super Star Consortium Series 2. Purple Stussy Court Force 3, Bape x Kaws Skullsta
Kzzit: Cool, so you people who want more stickers from him better hook him up the above pairs.
For more of Squirtgun's work: SB around town
