Interview with Bristol artist JPS
Posted on: 18 Jul 2014WorkBrands is a graphic design agency in Bristol. Recently they received their very own piece of street art created by JPS, aka Jamie Paul Scanlon. His stencil pieces have been cropping up around Bristol at an increasing rate and he recently had his debut solo show at the Centrespace Gallery in Bristol. After being very excited that he used their building for his latest piece of work they decided to get to know the artist a little better.
Can you tell us a little bit about your artistic background and how you got into street art?
From the age of four I loved drawing and painting. This continued throughout my school years and I did go to college to do graphic design but could not afford to finish the course. Two of my best mates were murdered six months apart when I was 20 and it set me on my own downward spiral of self-destruction. I completely wasted 12 years of my life until my friend took me to see Banksy’s exhibition at the museum. I was completely blown away by the show and I loved the fast way works of art could be put up via that technique. It planted the seed to face my own demons and I found illegally doing street art during my earlier days of recovery definitely replaced a buzz I’d sought elsewhere.
What inspired you to create this piece?
A girl that hurt me more than any had before her. I truly would have given her everything I had, yet she left without ever explaining why. I used Wednesday Addams to represent her as that is a character she compared herself to. I guess I thought painting this piece would bring me closure which, in all honesty, it has.
What does the title mean? Is there a message?
The title varies. Sometimes I refer to it as ‘The world was not enough’, other times I say it’s ‘About a girl I once knew’. Some would ask “why didn’t you just send a text?” – because this is a hell of a way to deliver a message!
How do you choose a street or environment? Why did you choose this location and particular wall?
I am quite fussy about the locations I paint. Barrow Gurney Hospital was great for all the horror works I put there. Sometimes a location will be selected well in advance but with this piece I chose the location completely at random. Me and my friend Diff, who assists me when hitting a lot of the street pieces, just drove around Bristol/Bedminster until I spotted somewhere where I thought it would look good, which turned out to be your beautiful building.
What did you use to make this piece?
I spent a couple of days creating the stencils needed. It’s all about prep work and organisation. The scariest part is illegally painting it. The one on your building took 15 minutes to paint and I must admit I was hoping it would be well received. Police operate on complaint, I’m just lucky that no one seems to have complained so far!
Roughly how many pieces have you done in Bristol so far?
Overall about five or six in Bristol itself. The bulk of my work (about 25 pieces at one point) is at the abandoned Barrow Gurney Hospital. My most recent piece in Bristol is on Frogmore Street.
Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
Eminem inspires me greatly as I relate to his mindset and background. In many ways obviously Banksy inspired me to try street art but in general I’m a fan of all art and I draw my ideas from things I love or sometimes I draw inspiration from the not so good times in my life.
What is your long term goal?
My main aim is to honour the many friends I’ve had over the years by becoming one of the best street artists in the world. The money scares me, so if I do ever make any I’ll be able to do a lot more for charity than I am able to at moment.
Interview by Judith Jansen, Marketing Manager for WorkBrands.
For more information visit www.workbrands.co.uk
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
