Australian graffiti artist Lush rules! His works consist out of all kinds of filth, so it’s basically the graffiti and street art scene summed up for you there! Nothing is too dirty to fuck with for this Melbourne native. Recently Lush had his first solo graffiti exhibition in the Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne, which was appropriately named $ell out. He messed up with everything that is holy in our worlds, naming Banksy, Keith Haring, Invader and Cope2! Some might say he takes his graffiti too far, but we simply don’t believe in too far. Besides, his work is spot on and always contains loads of humor and fun. That is why I am proud to present you an interview with the great graffiti artist LUSH!
“Some out there in graffito land have enough balls to do and say whatever they want.”
How would you describe yourself?
INTERNATIONAL BADCUNT, M, 25 Tai Bo instructor seeks art school sluts/fashion school sluts for enchanting nights of passion. Must have a Minnie mouse face mask.
Have you always been a creative kid?
Since I could walk I was out with my fisher price “My first spray can” I had Sesame Street on smash. I used to paint pictures naked outside in the backyard when i was a wee pup. I got the photos to prove it, haha.
What made you want to put your work out on the street?
I want to hurt people’s feelings and bathe in their tears. It’s a great way to keep you looking youthful and fresh.
Isn’t street art just that, art on the streets?
It’s a marketing buzz word/ friendly terminology for graffiti; they had to reinvent “graffiti” into something less sinister. It’s like calling a “nigger” an African American. It doesn’t hurt as much.
So i’t just graffiti selling out at this point?
I think Chris Brown made graffiti uncool again.
You’ve been making loads of friends lately, but Cope2 didn’t cope with it so well. Think he’ll ever get over himself?
If you can’t laugh at yourself, I’ll do it for you.
Are there any more artists you’ve been targeting?
Anyone who deserves it, some people just need to get the piss taken out of them sometimes. Just like some people need to get their face smashed in every now and then.
We’ve heard Australia hit by a virus that makes you wear tight pants and ride bikes with one gear. Are you one of them?
I wear Metallica in 1986 jeans sometimes, but I’ve got a nice size cock so i get that big bulge, it’s all good. I’m just your average Aussie bloke, with football shorts, bluey singlet, a vb tinny and I say cunt way too much.
How do you insult a hipster?
You can’t insult them it’d just become some infinite Escher loop of irony
Now we might be a bit immature, but we never get tired of jokes about filth. Will you ever get tired of drawing those?
They are just too much fun not to draw, look at the guy in hustler who has been doing the comic part for years, he’s still getting his.
Your $ell out show seemed like loads of fun! How was it to put that together?
It’s not easy being an “artist” I didn’t do much preparation I ended up making 99% of the work in the two weeks leading up to it. I had never bothered with canvas before, I’d never sat down and just painted on a board or whatever it’s boring.
But I had a crack and it turned out semi non retarded somehow. It was a bit of fun and I just tried to take the mickey.
We see most of your work is around the Melbourne area. Are you allowed to leave the country?
I’m waiting for some cashed up gallery to fly me out of here. Get at me rich gallery people; I’ll dance for your dollars. Sexy dance.
You’re very honest about yourself and the ‘scene’ (by lack of better words). How come that’s so damn rare among these ‘artists’?
People like the status quo. No one wants to be a pariah, no one wants to be criticized or ostracized by other writers. Some out there in graffito land have enough balls to do and say whatever they want.
Do you have any personal goals with your artwork?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.
I’ve never seen much collaboration work from you, any particular reasons for this?
I don’t really like collaborations, they are cheesy. The only people I seem work with are people who don’t even do graffiti. Oh and people with tits.
If you could fill up a swimming pool with anything, what would it be?
Banana flavoured milk and packets salt n vinegar chips. Or just millions of cheeseburgers. Hungry Jacks cheeseburgers.
Any last words?
One or two fingers isn’t doing it right, use a whole fist.