Squarely Graffiti Royalty: Inkie

This quarter’s cover artist needs no introduction—it’s none other than Bristol’s legendary Inkie.

A true pioneer of the UK graffiti scene, Inkie is one of the country’s most respected street artists. From the moment he could hold a pen, he was painting alongside the likes of Massive Attack’s 3D, Goldie and Nick Walker. Later, he would work with Banksy and the ever-growing pool of Bristol artists, helping shape the city’s world-renowned graffiti movement.

Fast forward to today, and Inkie is still painting, pushing creative boundaries, and working on inspiring community projects. We caught up with the man, the myth, the legend himself to talk about his journey, his influences and what’s next.

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The graffiti scene has changed dramatically since 1989 when you were arrested as part of Operation Anderson—the UK’s biggest anti-graffiti crackdown. The days of running from the police are long gone, but do you ever miss the thrill of those early years?

Graffiti has been pushed further underground due to the use of security cameras, etc, and is now really only for the hardcore. Pieces in halls of fame, although stylistically graffiti, are not really in the same league… Also, the internet means you can paint a wall in your back garden and have social media fame overnight without doing any illegal work. And the thrill of hunting down rare pieces/the joy of seeing superb fresh work is slightly lessened due to the amount you can view by scrolling through Instagram.

In 2019, you travelled to Tanzania with Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Foundation, working with boys in a children’s home on creative projects and mentoring sessions. Then last year you were involved in their Sierra Leone project. Can you tell us more about that experience? 

These two projects are ongoing and are part of our ‘no input no output’ project and Angels Gate Creative Schools in both countries. This follows on from the fantastic work of the Strummer Foundation. We provide equipment, materials and hands on training for the street youth and disabled kids in each area. It’s one of the most fulfilling projects I have been involved in, with more to come in Uganda & South America soon.

Over the years, you’ve supported so many charities, ranging from Last Night A DJ Saved My Life to BillyChip®, the social enterprise scheme supporting rough sleepers. What charity initiatives are particularly close to your heart?

My eldest daughter was born deaf, so the Great Ormond Street Cochlear Implant Unit, who I have raised over £50,000 for, is one of the closest ones to my heart.

You’ve spoken about wanting to inspire a second wave of the Arts and Crafts movement, drawing influence from William Morris and expanding into ceramics and textiles. How’s that journey going?

I have been experimenting in stained glass, mosaic, repousse, fabric pattern design and more traditional methods of creating art for a while now, and alongside the likes of Phil Blake (Philth), I’m pushing forward a new era of arts and craft design.

You once said, “Graffiti has always been a hobby—you never make money from it.” But looking at your success today, that’s clearly changed. Has making a living from your art altered your creative process or how you feel about your work?

Believe it or not, it’s still very hard to make a living from Graffiti due to the stigma around it and the vandalism aspect. I generally use my work trips for street art projects as an excuse to go painting and create an ‘Ink Nouveau’ wall and a ‘classic wildstyle’ in nearly every city I visit. I enjoy painting both, but, if pushed, it would be traditional graffiti all the way.

In a 2012 video, you wore a T-shirt that read, “Make your mark on society, not in society.”Do you feel you’ve achieved that? What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind?

I hope so! This was a quote from an old NYC Mayor Koch anti-graffiti campaign that I took from a subway advert in the late 80s, but written in reverse. I’d like to leave a mark on society, not in it, and hopefully inspire the next few generations of artists while I’m at it… that would be my legacy!

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From the backstreets of Bristol to community projects spanning the globe, Inkie’s influence is undeniable and has left a lasting mark on the art world. Yet, for all his success, his mission remains simple: push boundaries, support the next generation, and make art that speaks to the streets and beyond.

And if his legacy is anything to go by, the best is yet to come.

www.inkie.co.uk

@inkegraffiti