unsanctioned art

With his name on trains, tracks, trucks, gates and walls throughout tri-state area, Celeb has been increasingly making his mark in NYC and beyond. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with him and pose a few questions to him:

When did you first get up? And where?

Around 2007-2008. I was 15 when I first hit my local high school. And soon after, I was hitting nearby tracks and construction sites.

What inspired you back then?

Locally the writings I saw along the tracks, especially Curve’s, motivated me to get out there and make my own mark. I was also heavily influenced by the media that documented the scene—movies like Wild Style and Bomb the System, along with books like Burning New York.

Why do you continue to hit the streets?

I like the feeling. It makes me feel like I’m a kid again!

What is your favorite spot or surface to hit?

These days I like concrete walls and trucks.

Were you making art before you hit public surfaces?

Nope!

How has “bombing” changed you – assuming it has?

It has sharpened my senses. I’ve had to become more aware of my surroundings.

What is the riskiest thing you’ve ever done?

Paint across from a police station in Philly. When a police car approached, I hid behind the plywood.

How much time do you typically spend on a piece?

When I’m bombing, no more than 2 minutes. But if I’m piecing, I can spend up to three hours.

Have you had any memorable encounters while you were getting up?

I was painting in Brooklyn with three other guys when suddenly a group of cops showed up. “We should arrest you,” they said. “But we’re too busy with family matters.” They left as suddenly as they’d appeared, and they didn’t even take our paint.

Any other notable encounters?

I had another close call. We were painting at an abandoned psychiatric hospital in Poughkeepsie with 50 cans of paint. Again, cops showed up, let us go and didn’t take our paint

Was there a singular moment when you realized that graffiti is a particular passion of yours? What was it?

The very first time I got up!

Do you have a particular goal as a writer?

My goal is to master the craft. Quality over quantity. I’m not seeking fame, and my social media presence isn’t important to me.

Are you generally satisfied with your finished piece?

There’s always something that I’m not happy with.

Would you rather paint on your own or with other writers?

At this point, I’d rather paint with other writers. I belong to several crews: TVT,   BLT, ASB and MOK.

Have you a particular role in any of these crews?

I’m vice president of ASB.

What is your favorite paint? Caps? Colors?

My favorite paint is Montana Black and 004 Evolve. My favorite colors are light blue and pink to outline. My favorite cap is the Lego Thin spray paint cap.

From your perspective, how welcoming is the graffiti scene to people from different backgrounds?

Very welcoming! What matters is the quality of one’s work — not one’s racial or ethnic background.

How would you define a “toy?”

Someone who doesn’t know the rules, the history.  Someone who goes over old, faded graffiti. And the biggest toy is someone who goes over dead writers.

Who are some of the writers who inspire or influence you these days?

Among them are: Jick, Sekt, Mast and Vet aka Share TMC.

What about your name? How did you choose “Celeb?”

When I first started getting up, I kept on choosing names that I quickly got tired of. I didn’t feel that they suited me. But then I met a writer who told me that he used to write “Celeb,” but that he doesn’t anymore. I immediately liked the name, and I asked him if I could use it. He said I could, and I’ve been happy with it since.

If you were offered the opportunity to do a legal mural for pay, would you take it?

I would go for it! Why not?

How do you feel about the movement of graffiti into galleries?

I think it’s cool. I like the way it brings the community together.

Have you, yourself, shown in galleries?

I exhibited two pieces and sold one at the Brooklyn Beer Garden in a show curated by Werds.

What’s ahead?

It’s difficult to tell.  Perfecting my skills while – at the same time – getting my life together!

Interview conducted by Lois Stavsky with Giulia Shine and edited for brevity by Lois Stavsky; photos 1, 2, 4-7 courtesy of Celeb and 3 Giulia Shine

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