Cycle
Left of center, United States
Bio
New York graffiti artist Cycle is a big fan of Jim Henson. Not only is the puppeteer one of the people that Cycle would most love to go out bombing with, if you check out Cycle’s fine art, he also collages together graffiti and images of Big Bird getting soused and the Cookie Monster getting high. Cartoon references also crop up in one of Cycle’s pieces of Car Art for Infectious. The inspiration for Graff Attack (aka George) came from those exclamation balloons in old Batman comics (“kapow!”) Cycle applied the concept to words associated with driving. Are you ready to “zoom” in your Cycle-designed "whip"?
Interview
Describe your style:
Kangaroos on Acid.
What’s the name of your Infectious art pieces?
Lil’ Demons and Graff Attack (aka George).
Tell us about Lil’ Demons and the inspiration behind it.
The Devils are characters I have drawn before. They are evil and fun at the same time, kinda like a “Kick Me” sign taped to someone’s back.
What was your first car?
My first car was a skateboard.
What is your dream car?
My dream car would be a muscle car from late 60’s, early 70’s. V8 engine. Maybe a Charger, Mustang or Camero.
How did you come up with your pseudonym?
I was hanging out with some kangaroos on acid this one time and one of them called me psycho and I thought he said “Cycle”… Oops!
Can you remember what your first piece of graffiti was?
When I was little my dad was painting a crib for my newborn sister, I borrowed some of the yellow paint and proudly produced my first piece of graffiti on some furniture.
What are your influences?
Speedy Gonzales, Hong Kong Fooey and Secret Squirrel.
Can you think of an anecdote about when your art got you in trouble?
State of New York Superior Court vs. Cycle – Doc.# 37-6539 – 6 counts of making graffiti, possession of graffiti implements, intent to make graffiti, destruction of property and disorderly conduct.
If you had to choose three artists to go out and paint with, who would they be?
Salvador Dali (I bet he would be stoked on graffiti), Jim Henson and Ralph Bakshi.
Name three unique things in your studio.
My giant stuffed tiger
My grouchy iguana Spot Monkey
And occasionally, Nico Berry
What magazines do you subscribe to?
Thrasher, Mass Appeal, Guns and Ammo and Better Homes and Gardens.
What’s playing on repeat on your iPod this week?
I have a “Best of Chicago” tape in my Walkman right now!
If you had to draw yourself a tattoo design what would it be and where on your body would you have it?
A Kangaroo on Acid and it would be hidden in my armpit.
How did you end up doing a graffiti backdrop for political candidate Howard Dean?
I heard George Bush hated graffiti. @#$%&!! that guy! Keo was the one who organized it. Dean needed a backdrop for a speech in NY and someone suggested graffiti to get in touch with the youth vote. Dean was open minded enough to think outside the box but he kinda got beat up a bit by the local press because he embraced an “illegal” art form. I supported Dean so it was all good for me. Hey Obama or Hillary, if you are out there give me a call… we should hook it up!
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
I would go back to dealing acid to Kangaroos, you get to set your own hours, it comes with insurance and a 401k plan.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I’ve got some new paintings going on, I’ve got a secret project with Mass Appeal Magazine, and an exterior art project with other artists for a show in Beacon New York in May.
4/28/08
