Bankslave on how to be a Nairobi Street Artist

Face masks, painted hands, an empty wall, and a wild imagination are the ingredients for great street art. Nairobi city has seen an increase of tagged walls and powerful imagery on the side of buildings, in tunnels, rooftops and alley ways. Bankslave is one of the well known pioneers of this gripping art form creeping up and taking hold of Nairobi. UP magazine couldn’t resist interviewing the industrious artist on Twitter for the “How to” 140 character series. What questions would you ask a graffiti artist?

1. What is a writer?

A writer expresses themselves using letters and colour in street art. I mainly do murals using images not necessarily letters.

2. What is street art/graffiti in Nairobi?

It’s an expression of the Nairobian’s inner thoughts, a way of bringing beauty and initiating a conversation about Nairobi through art.

3 How is Nairobi street art/graffiti different from the rest of the world?

Nairobi graffiti is authentic and Kenyan expressing the African feeling to the world though the culture and the people of Nairobi and Kenya.

4. Why is street art in Nairobi important?

Street art is not selfish; it brings colour to the world and brings out Nairobi’s character and people, a way to express Nairobi in a cool way.

5. Where do you get your painting materials from?

From shops in Nairobi, or sometimes I ship high quality paint from South Africa that can’t be found here. This is very expensive.

6. What is the most important thing to remember when doing a piece?

Research, research, research. Also choosing a good location, knowing your audience, and using protection; masks and reflective gear at night.

7. What do you wish to achieve with your art?

I wanted fame at first, now I want to open people’s minds, show them that graffiti can be a healing process, therapeutic, and a source of income.

8. What makes you proud?

The day after painting after someone calls about the piece, I see it and think wow! At night I can’t see and cops and prostitutes harass me.

9. What are the challenges of being a street artist?

No good quality paint in Kenya, what’s there is expensive. We are the pioneers of this art form, this comes with a lot of pressure and expectations

10. What advice do you have to future Nairobi street artists?

Research is key. Use art to promote change. The world is a bank of too many problems, not everyone should be a slave to it.

Check out the master at his work here.