***Q&A with Bristol Legend John Nation*** Answers Here
May 21, 2015 2:12:30 GMT
IggyWiggy, feralthings, and 3 more like this
Post by sɐǝpı ɟo uoıʇɐɹǝpǝɟ on May 21, 2015 2:12:30 GMT
We're going to post his interview in three installments. Here's Part 1:
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Out of all the artists you came in contact with in the late 80's/early 90's, which, if any, did you expect to take off and gain a following outside of Bristol?
Out of all the artists I worked with in the 80's and 90's there were a few I expected to gain a following outside of Bristol.. These included in no order.. Inkie, Nick Walker, Cheo, jody Thomas and Of course Banksy. But in Banksy's case at that time I and many others would of never guessed just how big a global name he would later go on to become..
Are you surprised that a group of kids painting walls in a small city helped usher in a new major art movement?
I can honestly say that when running the Barton hill graffiti project that started in 1984 I never quite realized just how much impact on the Bristol scene and then subsequently the UK scene these young lads would have..I just wanted to offer a environment which would harness and channel their artist talents into a positive way forward..MANY were painting illegally and causing untold amounts of damage through out the city.. I reached out to them to show them there was an alternative..it was a struggle at first. But I gained their trust; respect & friendship..They could see and feel my passion for youth work and of course graff culture that I was heavily into. I am not a artist my self..i just eat drink sleep aerosol art in many guises..I offered a safe environment where there was legal wall space, free paint and in my self some one who believed in them as young people. Barton Hill was a inivative & inspiring place for many, it also sowed the seeds for many future generations of Bristol writers. It's highly respected and stepped in the history of Bristol and UK graffiti culture and history..A small city yes, but with a big reputation and history..
Which artist, that you've worked with, has gone on to surprise you the most and why?
The artist that I worked with that has surprised me the most is Banksy of course and his links with Barton Hill youth centre, myself are well documented and he describes Barton hill as being the most inspiring stretch of concrete in BRISTOL & he made the pilgrimage there every weekend. What it showed him was very powerful -there was a choice between compromising and following their own strange little dreams. Barton hill youth centre spawned a flood of artists and musicians, many have had a impact across the city and far beyond..And there's no doubt he's made a huge impact. Love him or hate him. NO other graffiti / street art artist has ever received so much publicity or been so widely written about in my 30+ years involved with this art form. FACT..
What's the most important piece of advice you would give to a 'youth' today?
The most important piece of advice I could and would give youth of today is get an education..Follow your dreams, treat others as you would like to be treated yourself..and when your able to legally vote. Use your vote.
What was your proudest moment whilst working at the Barton Hill Youth Club?
my proudest moment whilst working at Barton Hill ? There have been so many highlights and some low points but if I have to name one. It's this. That when I was arrested in Operation Anderson the UK'S biggest ever Police investigation and raids into graff. I never sold any of those young people down the line..not one of them! I was charged with Conspiracy. Which in this country is a serious charge. Which could of meant if found guilty I would 100% gone to prison and lost my job. But I had worked damn hard to gain the confidence of Bristol writers and young people and there was no way on this earth was i going to shatter that, even if it meant going to prison it would and was never going to happen. The police targeted me and tried to portray me as part of a conspiracy and hated my refusal to assist them. It meant problems for me in future with them. But that's why I'm still respected today by the artist community of this city and much has been written and covered in the media About myself....there's a lot of history to my name here in the UK..
Who was the most talent artist back in the day? And why do you think so?
Back then I did not think any one single artist or writer was the most talented. Simple reason there was so many different styles being painted from traditional graff letter forms, wild styles, abstract, characters, and other artists developed their own styles or put their twist on old school flavours..
Do you still keep in touch with the 'kids' ?
I'm still very much in contact with the vast majority of the artists & writers of Bristol. Reason being strong bonds and friendships were made at Barton hill and even now I'm still in contact and see many of those young people that are now adults and still painting to this day. I still regularly go to events, gallery shows, still go out taking pictures of the latest work and still get a huge buzz from seeing fresh pieces either on the streets or via many of their news feeds via instagram twitter Facebook or on flicker..
____
Part 2 of 3 will be posted tomorrow. Please note, this interview, as well as the other Q&A's on this forum are the intellectual property of NBF and can't be published elsewhere without permission from myself and the NBF team)
____
Out of all the artists you came in contact with in the late 80's/early 90's, which, if any, did you expect to take off and gain a following outside of Bristol?
Out of all the artists I worked with in the 80's and 90's there were a few I expected to gain a following outside of Bristol.. These included in no order.. Inkie, Nick Walker, Cheo, jody Thomas and Of course Banksy. But in Banksy's case at that time I and many others would of never guessed just how big a global name he would later go on to become..
Are you surprised that a group of kids painting walls in a small city helped usher in a new major art movement?
I can honestly say that when running the Barton hill graffiti project that started in 1984 I never quite realized just how much impact on the Bristol scene and then subsequently the UK scene these young lads would have..I just wanted to offer a environment which would harness and channel their artist talents into a positive way forward..MANY were painting illegally and causing untold amounts of damage through out the city.. I reached out to them to show them there was an alternative..it was a struggle at first. But I gained their trust; respect & friendship..They could see and feel my passion for youth work and of course graff culture that I was heavily into. I am not a artist my self..i just eat drink sleep aerosol art in many guises..I offered a safe environment where there was legal wall space, free paint and in my self some one who believed in them as young people. Barton Hill was a inivative & inspiring place for many, it also sowed the seeds for many future generations of Bristol writers. It's highly respected and stepped in the history of Bristol and UK graffiti culture and history..A small city yes, but with a big reputation and history..
Which artist, that you've worked with, has gone on to surprise you the most and why?
The artist that I worked with that has surprised me the most is Banksy of course and his links with Barton Hill youth centre, myself are well documented and he describes Barton hill as being the most inspiring stretch of concrete in BRISTOL & he made the pilgrimage there every weekend. What it showed him was very powerful -there was a choice between compromising and following their own strange little dreams. Barton hill youth centre spawned a flood of artists and musicians, many have had a impact across the city and far beyond..And there's no doubt he's made a huge impact. Love him or hate him. NO other graffiti / street art artist has ever received so much publicity or been so widely written about in my 30+ years involved with this art form. FACT..
What's the most important piece of advice you would give to a 'youth' today?
The most important piece of advice I could and would give youth of today is get an education..Follow your dreams, treat others as you would like to be treated yourself..and when your able to legally vote. Use your vote.
What was your proudest moment whilst working at the Barton Hill Youth Club?
my proudest moment whilst working at Barton Hill ? There have been so many highlights and some low points but if I have to name one. It's this. That when I was arrested in Operation Anderson the UK'S biggest ever Police investigation and raids into graff. I never sold any of those young people down the line..not one of them! I was charged with Conspiracy. Which in this country is a serious charge. Which could of meant if found guilty I would 100% gone to prison and lost my job. But I had worked damn hard to gain the confidence of Bristol writers and young people and there was no way on this earth was i going to shatter that, even if it meant going to prison it would and was never going to happen. The police targeted me and tried to portray me as part of a conspiracy and hated my refusal to assist them. It meant problems for me in future with them. But that's why I'm still respected today by the artist community of this city and much has been written and covered in the media About myself....there's a lot of history to my name here in the UK..
Who was the most talent artist back in the day? And why do you think so?
Back then I did not think any one single artist or writer was the most talented. Simple reason there was so many different styles being painted from traditional graff letter forms, wild styles, abstract, characters, and other artists developed their own styles or put their twist on old school flavours..
Do you still keep in touch with the 'kids' ?
I'm still very much in contact with the vast majority of the artists & writers of Bristol. Reason being strong bonds and friendships were made at Barton hill and even now I'm still in contact and see many of those young people that are now adults and still painting to this day. I still regularly go to events, gallery shows, still go out taking pictures of the latest work and still get a huge buzz from seeing fresh pieces either on the streets or via many of their news feeds via instagram twitter Facebook or on flicker..
____
Part 2 of 3 will be posted tomorrow. Please note, this interview, as well as the other Q&A's on this forum are the intellectual property of NBF and can't be published elsewhere without permission from myself and the NBF team)
