![]() It was a dream come true to work with Tag Heuer. I’m a big watch collector and stuff like that. So now, I’m happy and I love watches as most people know. As opposed to the darker Alec, a few years ago, who was pissed off at the system. With myself, we’re always changing, we’re always growing as people and the meaning behind my work has evolved to more of a symbol of affluence, prosperity, wealth and happiness. Does it feel weird that you’re now working with a luxury brand? You started in 2008 with the financial crisis. We both see eye to eye because we’re both innovative and we’re not afraid to try new things that are disruptive in the market and it couldn’t be better. ![]() And this kind of collaboration between a street artist and Tag Heuer has never been done before, especially with a Swiss watch brand. Well for me, the most important thing about being an artist is being original and coming up with new things. What qualities about Tag Heuer resonate with you the most? But me putting bright iconic imagery that people can associate with is different. It’s usually such dark scribbles, and stuff you can barely read. I think that’s important, especially for graffiti in the streets. I like bright colours and I like bringing happiness into people’s lives. As an artist you convey who you are through your work and I’m generally a happy person. Is that what you want people to take from your work? Your style is a lot happier compared to some other graffiti artists. For me, that’s more positive than hurting somebody, vandalizing their store or hurting them financially and causing problems. Like an ugly grey wall in an abandoned building or a place that gives me permission. For me, I like to do graffiti to make beautiful things out of things that aren’t so beautiful. Some guys have street tagged the Chanel buildings and whatnot. I like this city and I’d love to be able to come back. I was! I was like, should we break in there and do it? I’m glad it happened this way because I don’t want to piss anyone off here in Hong Kong. Were you thinking of doing it illegally before? I was like, ‘wow this is so cool.’ The first time I visited Hong Kong in 2015, I had a gallery show here and I rode the tram and I was thinking it would be so cool to do a graffiti piece on it and now it’s happening. It was one of those things when it was presented to me, I almost jumped for joy. ![]() We caught up with him during his visit to Hong Kong to talk graffiti, vandalism, and his plans for the future: How does it feel to be able to put your mark on such an iconic part of the city? With several museum exhibitions under his belt and his recent appointment as Tag Heuer’s Art Provocateur, Alec Monopoly has evolved both as an artist and an individual. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |