"E.T. phone home"

YOU all may remember Skae from my last article about him in which I recounted one of many crazy nights in this here graffiti game. Skae continues to push the envelope in graff as well as “fine art”. His new work which is a hybrid fusion of graffiti, pop culture, comic books, science fiction, religion, politics, sex, drugs, public domain, video games, economics, consumerism, cartoons, national collective unconscious, fantasy, mutants, celebrities, and his twisted imagination continues to inspire and amaze me. It seems like he always comes up with all the good ideas first. Luckily he is the homie and if I bit a few things here or there he doesn’t deliver me an ass whopping. But don’t try that at home though.

His new paintings and drawings are the continuation of a dialogue that started with Warhol, Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, Keith Haring et al. The idea of image appropriation remains on the forefront of the artistic discourse these days. While his contemporaries were content with merely copying images and turning them into fine art, Skae puts them through the elaborate wringer that is his twisted mind and comes up with clever permutations and juxtapositions that speak volumes about the current status of the world. He just keeps on innovating. I particularly like his drawings in which the subject gradually (de)evolves through the process of digitization. The most amazing thing is that the only computer he uses for this process is his brain. We sat down for a little conversation about his formal training (i.e. vandalizing shit) and perhaps through this we can glean a little insight on how he was able to come up with such characters as: Bi-Polar Homer 3000, E.T. Cubism, One Eyed Grimace, Old School Hip Hop Mr. Potato Head, Bevis and Butthead conjoined Twin, Al Queda Seraphim, Snoopy Squiggles, Dope Fiend Q Bert, and the rest of the bastard children that would have been aborted if not for his imagination. Skae is one of the very few people who make me glad to be around for this ride on Spaceship Earth - KAI1

KAI1: What’s up my dude – tell these people what your goddamn name is.
Skae: I’m Skae and I push BY, NG, SBC, NME, TNR, GBA, and RTD.
K: Any other names as a toy?
S: Got started with Ciel, Silver, Ha, and Skah (which later turned to Skae).

K: What is the last thing that you stole? How long ago was it?
S: A bunch of books and art supplies for the day. Me and my boy Ale racked about two thousand dollars worth. At least I put it to good use.
K: What is the dumbest thing that you’ve ever done?
S: I think I had sex with a transvestite in Mexico once. Where else can you get a cute girl with an adams apple for a hundred pesos and some change?


K: Do you consider yourself to have an over inflated ego?
S: I'm pretty humble about it. I'll paint with whoever is down. I don't care about politics or licking stamps, so if anyone has pics of my stuff send it to me on myspace. Thanks.

K: Would your friends think that you do?
S: Probably.
K: Is graffiti worse than doing drugs? Why?
S: No. Graffiti is my drug.



K: What is fun for you? Why?
S: I had the most fun drinking a Colt 45 and eating a Xanax. Then dropping some ex and smoking some hydro laced with PCP. My bomb came out awesome (at the time).
K: Do you believe in God?
S:Maybe. There are so many to choose from. These televangelists really freak me out though. Only in America.

K: Do you think that God hates graffiti?
S: Not at all.
K: Why do you keep painting?
S: It's a hobby that I'm addicted to.


K: Aren’t you too old to be doing this shit?
S: Nope. I can be eighty and still paint a train.
K: Have you ever got any pussy off of graffiti alone?
S: I'm not into groupies anymore. I'm in the Broken Hearts Club now so I'm looking for a real connection. Like a vegetarian queen who likes to give massages.

K: Who is the worst graffiti writer ever?
S: Those who don't know the history and have know respect. They blow up yards and paint whack bombs off the highways. They're just toys.
K: Favorite color as expressed by a color of Rust-oleum paint?
S: It's all about racking the tallboy blacks and whites. All day.
K: Do you participate in any of the other 4 elements?
S: Not at all. I stick to graff and art.

View larger image

View larger image


K: Good, Good. GG Allin or NWA?
S: How about replacing Ice Cube with GG Allin. That's what's up.
K: Silver or Black?
S: Silver.
K: Whiskey or beer?
S: Beer. Because I never woke up in a strange place with a hairy girl that looks like she ate too many cheeseburgers on beer.
K: When was the last time you slept in the street?
S: I passed out in an alley in Santa Fe after I etched all night. That was 2005. I woke up when it started to rain on me. That doesn't include the time in Juarez when I got dragged out by the bouncers after they caught me scribing. I opened a door to a car and spent the night. And I was also homeless in NY for a few months as well. That was a memorable experience.

K: Do you smoke weed daily?
S: With style and finesse.
K: Do you think graffiti is worse than drunk driving?
S: If you think graffiti kills families...
K: Do you think graffiti is worse than pornography?
S: Sometimes. Don't touch those dirty magazines found in the yards. They have Hepatitis (a-z) from the bums.



K: Have you ever beat anyone’s ass over graffiti?
S: Three for the year so far.
K: What about getting your ass beat?
S: I roll too deep. The last guy who tried got a bottle broken on his face. Then I danced a Z Trip.
K: Do you believe that graffiti is morally wrong?
S: No.
K: Is graffiti a gateway drug?
S: Graffiti leads to more graffiti, so yes.


K: Is graffiti a symptom of underlying emotional problems?
S: From a psychological standpoint yes, because graffiti writers don't conform to societies standards.
K: Is it wrong to tag on someone's house?
S: Yes. People live there.
K: Is it wrong to tag on a church?
S: Yes, even if there are child molesting priests, gay televangelists, suicide bombers and Mormons.

K: Do you pay taxes?
S: I can't remember the last time. Uncle Slam doesn't slam me for war weapons. I'd rather pay taxes for the education system.
K: Do you hope that your kids end up doing graffiti or do you hope they find a real hobby?
S: I'm not planning on having kids soon but if I do, they'll be allowed to express themselves however.

K: What artists do you admire?
S: Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dali, Varela, Dondi, R. Williams, Haring, Basquiat, and Warhol.
K: Anything else you feel like adding?
S: Yeah, the president is a ______, arrogant, ignorant, _____ dictator.(hit us up if you want us to fill in the blanks. kf) Props to my 915 cliques: Myk, Pale Ale, Gibes, Now, Deviks, Byoe, Gems, Shewp, Slae, Kquas, Dacks, Fire, Perish, Husle, Bhost, Bozo, Gets, Value, Serum, Shine, Ruen, Kai, Token, Strike, Jenoz, Zerd, Dacks, Jaws, Duo, Sug, The Mac, Siloe, Pez, N238, Apel, Kaper, Sam, Hick, and all the other writers that are not licking stamps for fame. Peace.













Comments
the art is pretty wierd and i like it.
skae is a kool ass mofo
boo yeah 2008
Posted by: crippled chris | janvier 16, 2008 11:48 AM
Props to the home-ie, plus the guys makes me laugh.
Posted by: Kquas- GYxBYxRTD | janvier 16, 2008 08:45 PM
Where can I purchase?
Posted by: A Fan | janvier 17, 2008 02:33 PM
---Freakin Evil Genius---
Skae is insanely talented.
Posted by: Jin | janvier 18, 2008 01:44 PM
that skwiggy is ill I remember when we went to tucson and got mad lifted on K, L, and E, damn personal fear and loathing tour...big ups TNR BY crew
Posted by: perish one | janvier 24, 2008 01:15 AM
Hey everyone. I'm working real hard getting all the pricing ready. I got a paypal account under the email stevenlee915@gmail.com Whatever I have for sale is being inputed on my blogs in my myspace. Just google my name Skae and it pops up number one or try this link...
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=6435586
If you liked any of these pieces and want to purchase just wait on me until I put an inventory code on it and blog the book. The last thing I need is the IRS breathing down my back. I'll eventually get to all the books I have. I got thousands of drawings and even more prints. I have been stockpiling since 1999. I am just releasing my works for sale this year. My website is also in major construction and should be up and running in a couple of months. I will be putting the realism work I do for sale as well. Just follow the instructions. If you run into any problems with an order or have any questions email me at skaeone@yahoo.com
And remember to vote for who you like. I'm just glad Bush can't run no more so our votes can actually make a difference this year. Thanks.
Posted by: Skae Squiggles | janvier 30, 2008 03:42 AM
I googled him and it brought me to this insane interview. Insane in a good way. Hot shit.
Posted by: Mary | mai 22, 2008 08:31 PM