Long Beach Post: Bron Theron: A Passion For Letters

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Bron Theron: A Passion For Letters

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9:35am | He's a writer.� A graffiti writer.� He's toured with LL Cool J, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Musiq, and The Roots, doing live painting at their shows.� He's also produced a documentary, Primal Rap, about the underground rap scene, and appeared in 'Day in the Lyfe,' a documentary about graffiti artists.�

Bron Theron is also a more traditional painter, and fine artist.� This work

(above), along with work by Lisa Hirata and Erik Glen, will be exhibited at Sipology, which is located on the South West corner of Broadway and Linden.� The opening reception takes place this Saturday, August 14th, at 7:30 PM.�

I began our conversation by asking Bron why he wanted to exhibit in Long Beach.

Bron: To be honest, I would rather show in Hollywood or Culver City. In those places I have better luck selling. I love Long Beach, but it just seems like people do not have money for art here.

Sander: Why show in Long Beach, then?

Bron: It is easy to show here. I live here. I drive a motorcycle, so I can't really take my art far if its big. I guess because it is convenient to show in Long Beach. Sumako [curator for the gallery] is trying to showcase artists from Long Beach as well, so I guess I fall into that category.� I believe the theory is to show the world there are good artists coming out in Long Beach who deserve recognition.

Sander: You work in a number of different styles.� You do more traditional painting, but also graffiti art.� What are the unique challenges and opportunities for each?

Bron: Well, graffiti art is my passion. That is what I love, and have gained the most recognition and success in. I try to do as many styles, and work with several mediums, to challenge myself and to make my lettering better.

It is an odd thing but the more you paint the better you get. The more I use airbrush the better I can use a brush.� The more I use spray paint the better I get with a pencil. Everything helps each other out.

As far as opportunities, well, I can't sell graffiti. I can't open up to the world and say, "buy this illegal act," (although I try) but I can capture some of the essence of graffiti art and put it into my other work. There are actually more opportunities for graffiti painters now then ever.� I get a lot of live painting gigs for parties and movies using spray paint.

At the end of the day graffiti is illegal and art shows are not. I would like to see where I can go with my work in the world without the ties to the graffiti scene.

Sander: How did you develop both the passion, and the technique, for graffiti art.� There isn't a school, is there?

Bron: [laughs] Yes, there are schools for that... now, but when I started there was nothing close to a school. Nobody wanted to show you how to do graffiti either. It was way underground, and only a few people did it. Now there is the internet. You can find anything on the net: How to make markers, where to buy paint, tips, styles to copy... it kinda sucks.

When I started you had to develop your own style, and learn how to paint by actually risking your ass out in the streets to get practice. Now you can look up anything online, and it makes humans lazy. You can skip all the development stages as a graffiti writer. I developed passion for letters. I wanted good letters in High School, so I drew and painted all the time.� I got caught painting and was on probation at age 16, so that gave me more time to draw.� I developed tecnique by watching my friends and others in the game.� I learned what to do and, more importantly, what not to do.� It took many years of actually painting to get where I am today with my work.

Sander: Some friends just returned from Berlin, and they were amazed at how prevelent street art is.� It is everywhere, and almost embraced in the main stream.� Have you experienced that kind of freedom?

Bron: Not so much in America. I used to go to Canada, and it seemed they really liked that form of art. The only thing close to that is when I get gigs or tour with bands, and I do live painting. Then, everyone loves it. It is almost a commercial, though, and sometimes doesn't feel right. I think Americans get uncomfortable when they see graffiti because it is not 'controlled.' When an advertisement uses graffiti in the design then people don't mind because that is just a job or commissioned�� work, so it fits in the Capitalist mind state us Americans live in.� I have never experienced freedom..only simulated freedom.

Sander: That's a unique challenge for all artists: How does one keep their work pure and, at the same time, derive sustainance from it.

Bron: Easy: I do work for myself and I do work for others. I guess I work a lot. If I am getting paid to do a job then the artistic director is the employer. If I am not getting paid I do what I want, I try any medium I feel like trying, and I paint on surfaces at my discression. I gain more from my own work but it helps the business side of the art game as well.

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The art show, titled High n' Low, is being presented at Sipology Gallery, located at 448 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802.� The show is curated by Sumako of LVXEdge.com.� The reception will also feature music by Thavius Beck, Earthkore, and the Lap Steel Duo.� High n' Low will be on display through September 3rd.

Comments

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15 Comments so far.

Naples Resident
What is a grafitti artist? Is he responsible for defacing many of the buildings, highway overpasses, and highway signs in LB?

Graffitti Tired
Ask him to bring his brushes (and soap) over to my neighborhood and start cleaning.

Disgusted in the LBC
The City spends over $1 million a year to paint out graffiti. That could pay for youth programs, art classes and other more legitmate ways for youth to express themselves. Please don't glorify someone who doesn't respect other people's property and defaces our neighbrohoods!

LB Marina
I notice the entrance to the LB Marina is increasing being covered with crude and cryptic messages. It will be difficult or impossible to clean these stones or return them to their natural colors. It doesn't make sense that so many people's visual senses must be assualted for the gratification of one tiny segment of the population. Please don't encourage this practice.

Sander
Graffiti art, a subset of street art, has been recognized internationally as a valid, significant, and relevant art form for many decades. There are museums dedicated to it, and many world renowned art institutions feature works by some of the best known artists. Once again, we as a community can choose to marginalize the creative energies that flourish in our midst, or find ways of benefiting from them.

Naples Resident
To Sanders, Please suggest how we can benefits from these "creative energies."

Sander
One idea, off the top of my head: There is an international market, and interest in, authentic street art, and hip hop culture. We could promote the homegrown talent by creating 'official' spaces where artists could legally work, and use it to increase cultural tourism. We could connect the visual art component with community-building events like music & dance performances, fashion shows, etc.

Brandi
really looking forward to checking out this show

Naples Resident
Sander, In a better economy, yours might be a workable solution, but the city is cutting the MLK parade and the fireworks demonstration. I am afraid your suggestion would be still-born.

Sander
As 'Disgusted' said, the City spends more than $1 million annually on graffiti abatement. If we created a place where writers could work legally, those funds could be spent in other ways. For every challenge, there is an opportunity. Smart companies market most aggressively in down economies, but to strengthen their customer base, but also to demonstrate that they're still viable. If we want others to appreciate us for the world class cultural destination that we are, then we ourselves must begin to appreciate our cultural resources, and find creative ways to celebrate and benefit from them. I'll be writing more about this in a future column, btw.

Sumako
Okay, it is time for a word from the curator…that being from yours truly. Part of the goals of the new curation project, LVXEdge.com, is to focus on presenting high quality art from the realm of pop-surrealism, fantasy, new abstract and urban art. Most all of the artists I have been working with are all “Rock Stars” in the art scene. They have been published, are consistently selling and have strong recognition in the arts. Bron Theron is no different. Bron is a fine artist whose influence stems from “Graffiti Art”. He has a respectable strong following both nationally and internationally with several shows coast to coast including this one in Long Beach. Bron is also is a partner in "All City Branding", an advertising and marketing firm that specializes in campaigns that use “Graffiti” style art to promote a client base that includes Google, Balcones Recycling, Fox and many others. Bron also works with youth programs for kids to get their art off the streets and on to canvases. With this hi-end credibility you could say that I am very grateful to have him here for a show. When I look at all of the wonderful well educated comments about an artist and an art show that no one has seen yet (being that the opening of the art show is August 14th) I question what is it really that everyone is getting hung up on? What is the confusion? Sander Wolfe did an excellent job of presenting a solid objective view point of the material presented to him. The writer continues to excel in educating detractors on every front. But what really is the misconception is lies in not understanding “today’s” definition of what is a Graffiti Artist. For those who have not caught up with the times, graffiti art of today is a revolutionary fine artistic style inspired by urban culture and what we have all seen on the streets. This style has been widely respected and accepted as hi-end art as far back as the 80’s thanks to galleries such as Fashion Moda in Bronx and Now Gallery in East Village, Manhattan showing the works of Graffiti Artists Crash, Lee, Daze, Keith Haring, Lady Pink and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Now LVX Edge in partnership with Sipology Gallerie in the East Village, Long Beach is showing the works Bron Theron; the new top Graffiti Artist of the 21st century.

Graffiti will never die
how often do you see the face behind a graffiti mural? Your working next to one in your office. How many people really appreciate and respect artists from the last couple centuries? I am offended that these are glorified and forced to be accepted in school!! Is in not open to our own interpretation along with freedom of expression. How can I respect your art if you dont respect mine. Graffiti is world wide. Many gangs (Not Graff artists) deface property and vandalize our community to mark there territory. Please dont stereotype hardworking artists. That billboard you drive by on the freeway with Advertisements in stylish letters was designed by a graff artist. My house will be filled with nothing but canvas' of graffiti. I absolutely love the comments by Sander. The idea of increasing Cultural Tourism is great.

Brian
If graffiti is so great, then why not just destroy your own property rather than someone else's? By tagging and doing graffiti you are no better than thieves, you steal money and time from those that own and or care for the property you have defaced or destroyed. I too am a local artist, and I hate getting lumped together in peoples and clients minds with the criminals who paint on other peoples property without the owners consent. If your stuff is really so great why not get approval ahead of time? From reformed taggers, scratchers and graffiti "artists" I've taught they answer is that they don't ask for permission because it's the thrill of possibly getting caught that drives them. For the taggers the more elaborate the "artwork" it shows how much more daring they are by staying the extended periods needed to do the damage. For those that want to complain about social woes or inequities, try doing something to help rather than the time and money or stolen property to do the damage that leaches the money from the very causes you want resolved. If you are doing stuff not for a cause or belief, but to force your "artistic" view upon others, then you should expect and accept the potential costs that come to you, be it a fine and jail time, or a bullet between the eyes from the people you are stealing from.

Pacific Grove Ca. reside
His beautiful work is in our town and uplifted an old wall that is seen by many. He and one other outstanding artist did it free. They made conservative views change here about mural-wall art. Also know some back stories how he has helped many children introducing expression through art. Teaching respect, good nature fun, while guideing them from street gangs. Great artist and a good man. This is a new era in art and these are the people that will make it to art history books. Read on in you future.

The Truth
This is clearly art work. I think some people no this discussion board saw the word"graffiti" and made up their mind that it is bad and this artist is bad. The truth is that graffiti is illegal and the art in the galleries is not. When you hear the term graffiti in a context with GALLERY you might want to rethink your opinion or you will come off as an ignorant winer....p.s I never said I wanted my tax money to go to graffiti clean up! maybe the youth programs can be centered around art and both problems would be solved......-disgusted in LBC-

Sander lives with his wife, step-daughter, dogs, and cats. He's an avid photographer, and enjoys creating close-up images of flowers and plants, and capturing urban landscapes. He's been involved in music production since the early 80's, and worked professionally as an audio engineer, live sound mixer, and producer.

Sander Roscoe Wolff is a musician, artist, and was co-founder and Executive Director of LongBeachCulture.org, the City's first comprehensive, and free, arts calendar and registry.

He has served on the boards of the 2nd City Council Art Gallery + Performance Space and the East Village Arts District, curated a 6 month gallery exhibition in the Long Beach World Trade Center, and produced Songs For Bethune, a CD of original and traditional holiday songs by local artists, to raise funds for the Arts Council's Passport to the Arts program.

His work has been featured in local gallery exhibitions, in SoundWalk, and L.A. Siggraph's Photon Ballet.

His current music project is Ain Soph Aur, a systems based improvisational performance duo and studio team.