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.
Where's My Hippo wrote:
amazing art and would definitely agree with him on that 15 foot sculpture
Posted on 24-Feb-10 at 4:02 pm | Permalink
Art wrote:
Its great to get an update on Ryan thanks for this Taco. Im excited to see him participate with the marathon and hope to see his work at the finish line as well as a mural! New work is looking LA and I love LA !
Hit a brotha up Ryan!
Posted on 25-Feb-10 at 10:16 am | Permalink
The $tatus Faction wrote:
Ryan’s new work is ill! Appreciate your ambition for the future! Keep building!
Posted on 25-Feb-10 at 6:49 pm | Permalink
Dee bone wrote:
Nice update, been a big fan of restitution press since the early days… I never knew anything about the artist do this is dope.
Posted on 25-Feb-10 at 11:54 pm | Permalink
CRYPTIK wrote:
BIGGUP CREW!!!
Posted on 26-Feb-10 at 12:11 pm | Permalink
Azul213* wrote:
Ryan is just about king of the city super respect..Crew!He has just inspired a whole generation of street artist.we all trying to catch up.
Posted on 26-Feb-10 at 12:16 pm | Permalink
stick rick wrote:
GOOD WORK Ryan…
Posted on 26-Feb-10 at 2:01 pm | Permalink
ali wrote:
hey azul remember you threw Ryan out of your party? yeah thats when we knew you were douche.
Posted on 26-Feb-10 at 3:38 pm | Permalink
John Tierney wrote:
Great to read this Ryan. Ben Sent me the link. Things seem to be going really well for you.
Best
John
Posted on 27-Apr-10 at 4:22 am | Permalink
ryan wrote:
Robbie Conal was wheatpasting wayyy before this guy. lol. Get your facts straight. CopyCat.
Posted on 09-Aug-11 at 4:08 pm | Permalink