You will find very few people in the UK who do not know this London-based street artist. It is a man who brought naked Kate Middleton and the Queen. His works are provocative, fresh and different from any other street artist. Johny Depp attended his first solo exhibition and Adel asked him to draw her portrait. Successful, ironic and a modest person – Pegasus.
There is almost no famous newspaper, which did not write at an article about your works. Kim Kardashian has your painting in her house, Johnny Depp visited your exhibition. So the most expected thing would be you to become a media person. Nevertheless, you choose to communicate with your fans through Instagram by yourself, do not go on TV and generally pretty modest person. Is it on purpose?
My followers have been with me before the media stories and celebrity commissions. I have a real bond with the majority of my followers and because I am not an anonymous street artist, I am able to interact with them freely. And I am a modest person by nature and that will never change.
Let`s speak about charities. You support two different foundations (“Naz and Matt Foundation”, “Amy Winehouse Foundation”). How it started? And how do you choose foundations usually?
I am approached by many charities and it is always very difficult deciding which ones to support. I usually participate in the ones that I relate to the most. Privately I support many animal charities.
The Amy Winehouse family are dear friends of mine so I am always happy to help where ever I can.
As far as I know Amy Winehouse`s mother is a big fan of your works and your friend. You collaborate for the Amy Winehouse Foundation. Is it true that Amy was the reason you started painting?
This is very true, Amy's death was very heavy on my heart and I wanted to leave a tribute to her in a special way. I didn`t know a thing about spray painting or stencil making but I gave it a go and really enjoyed the process.
Years on I have a special bond with Amy's mum and the foundation and keep them very close to my heart. In a way we have become a family.
The work with Amy Winehouse made you famous. But after the “Game of thrones” with Kate Middleton really everyone knows about you. Was you expecting such an attention to this particular graffiti?
I knew some people were going to be offended but I had no idea that piece was going cause the amount of controversy that it did. After the first few newspaper articles I realized I had touched a nerve locally but the day I walked out of my studio and was approached by NBC America news journalists waiting for a comment, I knew the piece had gone viral worldwide.
In one of your interviews you mentioned that you became a graffiti artist just by a chance. So if not an artist, who you was planning to be? What were your plans or thoughts for a far future?
Well I have always been artistic and self trained but my true passion when I was younger was singing and acting. If I hadn't been a street artist I probably would be hustling myself at every audition in town.
There were a lot of talking about your work with the naked Queen. Although there were some negative comments, the majority of people really liked it. Even a council of an area gave a positive comment about this portrait. In Russia I cannot imagine a possibility not to be arrested after a similar situation. In USA, your home country, it would be removed probably. Why do you think London is so loyal to light fun about their politicians? Do you feel more free in London as an artist or it does not affect you?
Of course London is the place to be if you want to have artistic freedom without prosecution. English people, like most Europeans, understand irony and generally have a great sense of humour. In recent years, street art and graffiti have advanced a lot in people's minds in America. What was once only considered vandalism is now being recognised as an art form and I believe it wont take long before many states become lenient on their street art laws and rules.
In regards to my recent Queen Elizabeth II piece, I always knew there would be negative comments. Although many people don't see it, I payed the Queen a massive compliment. Who doesn't want to feel beautiful and desirable?
Tell us few words about London graffiti society, please. Do you communicate or have a friendship between? Is there any difference from other`s cities graffiti societies?
To be honest, I really don't get involved and that isn't because I have issues I just keep to myself. I have a few graffiti/street artist friends but they generally keep to them selves as I do. On the rare occasions in which I have involved myself, I find there are some politics among artists but I think the majority seem to get on and support one another.
I have heard that usually you ask owners of buildings, if you can paint their walls. So is there no place for a rebel spirit with running from police anymore?
I am still a rebel at heart and at times still spray at night from inside a van but generally do get permission for most of my work. I have had many close shaves with the police and even landed myself in the clink for 6 hours last year which was an experience.
How do you decide which building to paint? Is it a choice of an area or anything else?
I am a North Londoner so I like to keep it local but i have sprayed in other areas of the city. I normally find a wall I like while I cycle around the city. I'll get off my bike an approach the business owner with my fingers crossed. Some times they say yes and sometimes they send me packing.
There are many famous people who buy your works. Such as Johnny Depp, Lindsay Lohan, Kylie Minogue. Even Adele has commissioned you to paint her portrait. Why do you think they like it so much and ask you to paint them?
I ask myself this question all the time. Why me? I don't have an answer for that. I do know that I feel very lucky and grateful.
Who was the first famous person, which bought your artwork? Did you feel famous that moment?
I cannot reveal that as I had signed an agreement of confidentiality but I am a big fan and was very flattered. As Warhol said, Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.
Let`s play a small game at the end? If you had to describe yourself in three words, which words would it be?
Dreamer, Clumsy, Loyal.
Author: Olesia Vikulova
Photo: www.pegasusartist.co.uk
