The problem is not me but the law. I'm not a vandal because I never spoil walls and [I] never turn the things worse than they are, I always trying to embellish by painting on old rusty tagged doors or trash cans.With only two years of experience, as well as spending most of his early years in Paris, France, Chris, better know as C215 is not your average graffiti artist. At least, he wouldn't be if it wasn't for this recent spotlight on the insurgence of graffiti culture overseas. Artists like C215, Banksy, Blu, and others are continually telling us, or rather showing us, that just because they aren't from a major US city, that doesn't necessarily bar them from being a creative force to be reckoned with. I was lucky enough to share some time with Chris and possibly figure out how things work over there. Here it is in interview form, enjoy.illRoots: What's up Chris, how did it feel the first time you put Graffiti on a wall?
C215: It was a very weak life size vespa free hand, a yellow, I was 16 and i am 35 now... i still make vespas, but with stencils.
iR: What kind of thoughts go through your mind when you're creating the characters you use for your stencils?
C215: Most of them are real living people I met so I think of them.
iR: What kind of music do you listen to?
C215: Ska, swing, klezmer, gypsy music, blue grass, old tunes. I'm old fashioned.
iR: Who are your favorite music artists?
C215: Toots and The Maytals, but it is [in a] constant change.
iR: Have you ever been caught by the police? What's the craziest story you have?
C215: Yes, [my craziest story is] that they let me go everytime.
iR: Do you ever feel bad for "breaking the law"?
C215: Never, because the problem is not me but the law. I'm not a vandal because I never spoil walls and [I] never turn the things worse than they are, I always trying to embellish by painting on old rusty tagged doors or trash cans.
iR: Has your art or output changed since your daughter was born?
C215: Certainly because she is my main public and also my main model.
iR: When did you decide to start creating Stencil Graffiti and who was your biggest influence?
C215: I began 2 years ago and my main influence was my friend Isbach for stencil. But other artists influenced me a lot like Carricondo and Ned from the 9th Concept crew, DAN23 or even some classics like Holbein.
iR: How did you meet DAN23?
C215: He contacted me 3 years ago to organize a group show together in Strasbourg. We became friends immediately.
iR: Are you a religious person? Would you say that this shows in your art?
C215: This is an inner feeling that maybe gets through [in] my portraits. I hope people feel the soul of my characters through their faces and eyes.
iR: Do you have a goal or purpose you want to be met when you make an art piece?
C215: Just make people stop and feel more free.
iR: It's been great talking to you C, do you have any last thoughts before we take off?
C215: I'd like [to see] recognized and successful street artists take more risks and continue to paint illegal in the streets instead of making gallery shows because now they can pay their fines.
