Speaking with DC-Based Artist, Author and Curator iwillnot
Wildly passionate and distinctly proficient about about sticker artwork, DC-based mostly iwillnot has released two celebrated books and has curated five terribly amazing expos on the concept. On my the latest go to to DC, I experienced the possibility to pose a couple issues to him and capture up a bit:
Since you very first launched me to the DC road artwork sticker scene about 14 yrs in the past, your contributions to the lifestyle have been enormous — expos, textbooks, giveaways and additional. What is it about stickers that attractiveness to you?
I love that they are a fast and uncomplicated way to get a message — or simply your title — out there.
Can you tell us a little something about your title — “iwillnot?” When did you get it? And why did you select it?
I commenced employing iwillnot in 2009. It was a statement of defiance and opposition. I didn’t like what was going on all-around me. I could not assist the path DC was having, particularly in conditions of its gentrification. And I wasn’t delighted with the way my neighborhood was evolving in the name of renovation and advancement.
You had been pasting, collecting and buying and selling stickers for various many years prior to you conceived of curating your initially Street Sticker EXPO at The Fridge DC. What motivated you to start these a large job?
It was a all-natural progression. I, myself, already experienced amassed a big collection, and I knew quite a few energetic sticker artists out there. It was a way to share the art form that I appreciate with so quite a few other folks and to introduce these artists to a broader viewers. Also, the streets in DC had turn into significantly less hospitable to stickers.
How did you initially get the word out? Above a thousand artists have participated in your Sticker Expos.
At initially it was largely word-of-mouth. We were being a pretty limited team, Skam, RWK, V0xx Romana…and extra. And social media, mainly Instagram and my website, are crucial to receiving the phrase out.
Your most the latest Road Sticker EXPO took put for the duration of the pandemic. Did that existing any unique difficulties?
Sure. It was nerve-racking. Among the problems was acquiring and opening offers of stickers although we had been all concerned with turning out to be infected with COVID-19…Just storing the containers right up until we opened them was problematic!
Your 2nd book, Unsmashed, features about 1200 coloured images of stand-by itself stickers from artists across the globe. How did you select which stickers to involve?
I took one sticker from every single pack that I had acquired for the 2020 Expo. Each individual of these stickers was then photographed by fellow sticker artist Cheer Up, who also did the structure and style and design for the reserve. It developed into the excellent area manual that can easily link anybody to the sticker art community.
Yes! It is ideal! What is forward?
SMASHED 2. is underway. It will address the very last two EXPOs, the showings at the 2020 Outsider Art Good and Tribeca Art Night time in NYC, the execution of the collage portrait and the phenomenon of sticker displays all-around the world.
What about EXPOs? Any in advance?
In 2023, we will celebrate our 10-year anniversary.
Congratulations! I’m on the lookout ahead to that!
Be aware: Be absolutely sure to test out iwillnot’s internet site to purchase his books and assorted items. And if you’d like to receive a free of charge sticker pack, fill out the form on this web site!
All pics courtesy iwillnot image 2 capabilities El Toro and Chris RWK collaboration image 4 – a collaboration with Mr. Zimbro
