Artist interview - Who is Gnasher?

Who are you?

My name is Gnasher, I’m from Essex (England), and I run a company called Gnasher Murals. When I started to do graffiti, I used to tag something different, but when I re-started I used my old DJ name DJ Gnasher and that stuck.

When did you start with graffiti and art in general?

I started graffiti around ´87 as a kid buzzing on the scene in New York. I was trying to replicate that in my hometown. I stopped around ´94 and started DJing. After, I re-started as a hobby in 2009, never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d still be doing it now and for a living.

Why did you start with art?

I started mainly because I was terrible at skateboarding. I sold my board and bought loads of fat markers, and skulked the streets at night writing on stuff. Even back then I was not very good at painting letters, but I seemed to be good at the characters, so I became the character guy.

What are your main inspirations when you create art?

I very rarely get a chance to express myself anymore as it’s all commissions now. When I do get the rare chance to paint freely, it would more than likely be an animal, mainly big cats. I spent a lot of time seeing big cats in the wild, I think they are amazing.

Do you have any favorite brands when it comes to your painting supplies?

Paint is paint at the end of the day, don’t get me wrong, some brands have better colors, just mix it all up together.

Do you have any artists that you look up to?

Yes, Smug Belin.

Are you a professional artist who can afford art as his only job?

I am a professional mural artist, I consistently put food on the table, which I feel is winning. Unfortunately, this was a hobby but not anymore.

What are your artworks that you are the proudest of so far? 

Hmm probably not the work but the clients I’ve worked for, I was very proud to have been on Match of the Day. But, art-wise, it’s probably the first tiger eyes that I painted.

What is your advice for people who want to become artists?

The first thing I always say is to go watch other artists, live at a festival or on YouTube. You’ll be surprised by how many artists will give you advice, one of my first photorealistic pieces made it into the graffiti hall of shame. I embrace that, because it doesn’t matter where you start, it’s where you end that matters.

What do you think about our brand? Would you be up for a collab in the future?

Loving the brand, that’s why I’m here, and I would absolutely love to do a collab. I lost all my social media a couple of years ago and had to start again. It was a bit gutting tbh but what can you do, I just keep pumping myself out there trying to reclaim the numbers again.