Interview w/ Kofie of West Coast Artists Crew
21 Jul, 2012
Dig In Magazine interviews Augustine “Kofie” of West Coast Artists Crew (WCA) prior to the first WCA art show at Mirror Gallery. Kofie has permanent works scattered across Los Angeles, London, Vancouver, Glasgow, Berlin, Miami & Japan and has an upcoming project in South Africa. He met Wisk on the No. 12 Big Blue Buss in 1990 when he was in high school, first met MINER during a marker techniques class at Santa Monica College in 1994 and was asked by WISK to get into WCA in 2003. To see more of Kofie’s work and other work by the West Coast Artists Crew visit Los Angeles’ Mirror Gallery on June 16th, 2012. [Interviewed on June 6, 2012]
Dig In Magazine: How long have you been writing graffiti?
Augustine Kofie: I started paying attention in 1988, did my first true illegal in 1990 and started writing Kofie in 1993.
DIM: Where can your work be found?
AK: Keepdrafting.com
Flickr.com/photos/Keepdrafting
Instagram: @Keepdrafting
DIM: How did you get into aerosol art?
AK: It was my calling.. couldn’t deny its allure and addiction.
DIM: What city would you say is the dominant playground or “street canvas” for graffiti artists?
AK: I wouldn’t think there was one, that would be pure lawlessness. Wait, well…. Wynwood District during Art Basel Miami is pretty retarded, but only for 1 week a year.
DIM: Where else have you painted?
AK: I personally have permanent works scattered across Los Angeles, London, Vancouver, Glasgow, Berlin, Miami & Japan. I have an upcoming project in South Africa that I’m excited about.
DIM: How did you get involved with West Coast Artists Crew?
AK: I first met Wisk on the No. 12 Big Blue Buss in 1990 when I was in high school. Classic “What do you write” banter. First met MINER during a marker techniques class at Santa Monica College in 1994. Dye5, Clay & SGP were starting to paint allot more when they started pushing Rapid Fire Crew. I was aware of all of these cats on the strength of their infamy and styles on the streets for years, so when I was asked by WISK to get into WCA in 2003 it was an honor. My involvement since has been to progress as a man and as an artist, and my crews grow with me.
DIM: Who do you generally collaborate with?
AK: I try to collaborate with people that are pushing their art and challenging themselves, both within and outside my crews and the Graffiti arts. TPS Crew, UTI, RapidFire Crew, El Mac, Jaybo, Remi/Rough & Cache to name a few.
DIM: What or who are your biggest artistic influences?
AK: My Mom.
DIM: I understand that this is the first ever group show for WCA Crew, what will the show at Los Angeles’ Mirror Gallery on June 16th consist of in terms of your work?
AK: I’m submitting a mid size piece highlighting a taste of one of my current studio pieces. The majority of my studio work deals with balance, both with form and shape.
