Interview with KNGEE

1/ KNGEE, Where does that name comes from?

I used to sell my work at a frame shop/small gallery in Boston, and the owner lady called me ken ji(jai), and I came up with the name ken-gee...
K'N'Gee... but it doesn't make any sense, there are so many kenji in Japan, and kenji looks like kanji, but there are not many kngee, so I guess it works.



2/ How long have you been cutting? Do they teach this at school?

I have been cutting for about 5 years now, but my first stencil was actually about 10years ago, I made "Super Trap"(it's an exhaust pipe brand) alike logo and cut it out and painted on my motor-cycle...and was painting on t-shirts and random object.



3/ Who influenced you the most in your art? Any current favourite artist?

Banksy, Shepard, Logan, Swifty... these were the big influence, when I speak only about stenciling. But I was not inspired by only those artists, there are many artists whom those I could mention.



Current favorite artist?

Since I am also into sign painting stuff, I like Steve Power(ESPO)'s stuff a lot, and also I am into Adam Neat's works lately, I love the grimy taste.



4/ Some of your stencils are amazing! How long does it take you to cut?

I always have other stuff going on with me, so I don't really spend
more than 6 hours to cut in one day, sometimes I spend only 2 or
3hours, sometimes I can't work on my work at all... so I don't
really know how many hours total I have spent on each piece, but it
usually takes 1-2 months to cut whole stencils.



And remember, I always spend time(I have even spent a week on one
of my works' just for the back ground)on the back ground process,
every single piece's back ground is carefully hand painted, so even
if they are painted with same stencils, they never be the same. And
I never paint multiple pieces at once.

Since I spend so much time on cutting, I always want to make a good
one and I want to enjoy each piece as a painting.



5/ Do you do any pieces on the street? Where can we see your work?

I don't really do illegal street stuff, there are quite a few in
Boston. Anyways, I shouldn't be considered as a street artist.



6/ Do you usually work in solo? Do you share a studio?

I work in solo in my small living studio, though I am looking to
share some large space with a couple of my fellow artists.



7/ Any major plans in 2008?

A group show at Carmichael Gallery in June/July, also JD of
Pinxit(an art agency in Melbourne, AU) and I have been talking
about having my first solo in Australia this year, but it is still
up in the air.

I just had 2 person show opening with Rene Gagnon at the Gallery at
38Cameron (http://www.38cameron.com) the other day, and it's going
to be up till March 1st.



Anyways, I would always love to show my work in another city,
another country, I want people to see my work in the live and want
them to feel the texture,depth and quality in my work.



KNGEE WEBSITE