Interview with Ryan Graeff ~ Restitution Press

Restitution Press has been inspiring us for years and in fact his art (posters, paintings, and books) is one of the reasons we wanted to start TACO in the first place. Ryan Graeff is the man behind the Press, he took some time out of his day to answer some of our burning questions:

TACO: First things first: What is your favorite taco?

Ryan Graeff: TITO'S!

TACO: Based on your flickr stream, you are crazy productive right now, do you always work this much or are you on a hot streak?

RG: Flicker is not at all representative of my body of work neither is any social website. I have been crushing spots and zines for years. When I began the hand printed poster campaign there was nothing like it, now its the industry standard I gotta work hard to keep ahead.

TACO: When is your next gallery show?

RG: I'm not working with any galleries anymore. I'm creating a masterful body of work that is years in the making for museums. I have been working with the L.A Marathon and will hopefully be showcasing a giant 32' ft. long painting at the finish line. There are two versions so far and prints. It illustrates the new one way route "Stadium to the Sea". After its done I'm planning on pitching it to the city of LA as a new freeway mural in 2012.

TACO: Haven't seen you up as much as the past, are you still active on the streets or is most of your energy on canvases right now?

RG: Yes thats right I'm in sixth gear right now. I have been for the last year focusing all my time and energy on becoming recognized by the City of Los Angeles for my art. When I get the key to the city I will unlock all the spots and become a lobbyist for public art. While running around like bat man doing all the dirty work.

TACO: Are you planning on releasing more books in the near future? Are the older ones still available at all?

RG: Vol. 17. is due out in March which will be premiere in store show in S.F curated by Flop Box Press. All other volumes are sold out.

TACO: What music do you listen to, if any, when you are working?

RG: GLK Kutmah, CRIME, Zachy Force Funk, DJ Nobody, Classic punk rock, new shit and new new shit.

TACO: What artists are getting you excited right now?

RG: MEAR ONE. If you haven't seen his recent 15 foot sculpture your missing out. It is truly amazing what he has accomplished and will undoubtedly go down in history as a monument of human culture.