THE REAL TRUTHS BEHIND STREET AND GRAFFITI ART WITH JAMES AME AKA AME72

Social media has done some amazing things for the art culture. It also has taken away from a lot too. On one side it congested the industry with overnight mediocre artists. On the other side, it gave many talented creators the opportunity to be seen and network. That’s my current testament because it gave me access to a dope artist like James Ame.

James Ame is a British graffiti artist that is on the quest to set world records. Read below and find out the truths about the industry and how the Lego man came to fruition.

Where are you from and where are you today?
Born and raised in England but I’m hanging out in Tel Aviv today.

What was the catalyst for you to start making art, especially painting lego men as your primary style?
At the young age of 5, our family TV died and my Father decided there and then, no more TV set, hence, my early childhood was spent playing with LEGO and painting.

Did you go to school for art or are you self taught?
100% self-taught, never been to art school.

Everyone wants to know. As a graffiti artist do you have to ever deal with legal issues? For example, I’ve been told some artists cover their face/hide their identity for legal reasons.

We live in a world obsessed with reality shows and 5-minute fame-seekers, the whole hiding the identity thing for me is more about privacy and focusing on the art rather than the person doing it.

Can you explain the difference between a street artist and a graffiti artist?
Graffiti is primarily about names and letters and ‘getting up’, street art is more message-based.

Is there a rule about painting over someone else piece?
The unwritten rules state that dubs go over tags, pieces go over dubs and so on, however, I try not to go over anything, if someone has made the effort to put something up on the street, paying out of their own pocket, then it deserves to stay there.

What has been one of your favorite artist moments?
Having been a LEGO fan for over 30 years it was an unforgettable experience to be invited by the LEGO movie producer Dan Lin to paint a 32m x 7.5m mural at Rideback Movie Studios in LA last year.

What advice would you give you one of your followers that are inspired by you?
Practice, practice, practice, have fun and don’t be afraid to waste paint.

What are your plans for the future?
Set a world record, complete a Rubik’s cube in under 30 seconds, pull a 360 on my scooter, take The Maze on a world tour and keep doing what I love doing.

www.ame72.com