Interview with Art Is Tra$h

Posted by Rosh Boroumand on 25th March, 2015
Filed under: Interviews

We’re extremely proud to announce that Art Is Tra$h aka El Arte es Basura has officially joined the Graffiti Street family. And what a better way than to mark the start off this collaboration than with an interview with the man behind Art is Tra$h, Francisco De Pajaro.

GraffitiStreet

Could you tell us a little bit more about yourself, what did you do before you were known as Art is Tra$h?

Art is Tra$h

I was introduced to the creative world in 1995, when me and a friend founded a sign writing company making signs, posters, decorative painting, typography, publicity, and murals. Aside from doing this, in the mid-nineties I started painting canvases, creating art, and I dreamt of doing shows to display my work. (see Facebook page (year to year)) Back then, I did not have an artistic identity yet. I was influenced by comic books, such artists as Picasso, Dali, Basquiat, and films – especially Italian, spaghetti western movies. I ended up creating a mish mash of hybrid work. In the year 2000 I finally got the chance to do my show. Consequently, I decided to leave the place where I was working. I went to London 2002 for the first time, to start a new life and dedicated my whole self to art. I got a job as a dishwasher, but it turned out to be too demanding and my art suffered from the everyday pressures of having to make a living. I did a show with the paintings I created, in London, and ended up selling none. I tried several times to have successful shows in galleries and it just did not work out for some reason. Rejected by galleries for being an imitation, I decided to take my art to the streets of Barcelona, and get my name out. And so I did. In 2004 I moved to Barcelona. It was inspiring and ripe for the taking. Dangerous as it was and still is at times; I have been arrested for different charges and disobedience, and imposed heavy fines by the police. After 3 years painting on the streets of Barcelona, I decided to go back to London. In 2013, I did a show with Base Elements in Barcelona, it was a great success. After working in London 7 months, with great success, in the summer of 2014 I decided to explore NYC, always a big goal for me.

Art is Tras$h

GraffitiStreet

Where did the name Art is Tra$h come from?

Art is Tra$h

The name came to me out of nowhere, a mutation from Francisco de Pajaro trying got get work in galleries and get to show, being rejected and having to go out on the streets to do art. A blessing in disguise. I discovered a new medium, and so the name manifested…I started with El Arte es Basura (in Spanish) because it art was that was the most painful and hard part of my artistic acceptance, it all channeled as my war cry as an artist. The streets became the largest canvas for reaching out to large audiences and communicate my attunement with nature, my punk-rock attitude towards the system that privileges so called fine arts …and my sympathy for the poor and oppressed people, the indigenous people usurped of their territories.

Art is Tra$h

GraffitiStreet

How long have you been a street artist for and where are you currently based?

Art is Tra$h

I have been on the streets since 2009. Although I live in Barcelona, I travel worldwide to show my work as Art is Tra$h. (El Arte Es Basura) and get my messages against the manipulated and degenerated interpretation of capitalism across to society. Barcelona is my current residence and the perfect place to express my feelings about the political corruption which has led to a failed system. By creating awareness I aim hoping to generate unity through art.

Art is Tra$h, Barcelona

Art Is Tra$h, London

Art is Tra$h

GraffitiStreet

What’s behind the idea of turning trash into colourful creations of art? And how do you feel about the street art being so ephemeral?

Art is Tra$h

Through Art is Tra$h I have found complete freedom of expression free from financial pressure, and censorship. The streets are the endless canvas that empowers me to shed light on the lies, the lack of compassion, and the distractions of society from such urgent and alarming priorities as the care for the environment, while fighting for freedom of expression. With Art is tra$h I can paint using my artistic memories, just like other beings did in the caves as they painted their surroundings in stone impromptu and with no agenda. My style stems from pre-historic cave drawings, which I use to send my messages across to the public. I paint what I see in my surroundings; what I remember and I come across. I recompose fragments from my recollections, aesthetically and spontaneously; and the idea of chatting with the audience that gathers at the time of the installation, inspires me and fills me with gratitude. I like it when people enjoy my art and the surprise and happiness that it gives them. Like trash, though, my art on the street is ephemeral and so when someone decides to take a piece from the street into their homes I feel they are somehow misinterpreting the concept behind my art.

Art is Tra$h

GraffitiStreet

What do you enjoy the most about being an artist and why?

Art is Tra$h

It makes me feel uncomfortable being called an artist. It sort of makes me feel pretentious. I prefer to be seen as a worker, the same as a doctor or an electrician; someone who learnt how to make paintings, and give life to the images that spontaneously come out of his head.

Art is Tra$h

GraffitiStreet

Who are your biggest artistic inspirations and why?

Art is Tra$h

My inspiration are wall paintings from caveman; ancestors that used to paint without the prostitution imposed on society that enslaves art to money, and attaches monetary value to art. I am only an artist in the true sense when I am in the street painting my garbage, or a wall that’s not being sold.

Inspiration … Pre-historic Cave Drawing

Art is Tra$h

GraffitiStreet

If you had the choice to transform into your favourite superhero, who would it be and why?

Art is Tra$h

I would love to transform myself into an Indigenous American warrior, and live they way they lived in full harmony with mother-nature, before the ‘Europeans’ trespassed … and imposed their culture against theirs, against their will; and infiltrated their societies with a the corruption of a degenerated interpretation of capitalism that has created a brand new culture that is destroying humanity.

GraffitiStreet

Do you have a message you wish like to share with the world?

Art is Tra$h

My message can always be found in the streets when I go out. The art is the man with the good, the bad and the ugly … El Arte es Basura!

GraffitiStreet

Finally, what’s next for you this year and beyond?

Art is Tra$h

The year that just kicked in seems to be pregnant with so many opportunities for shows, travels, book releases and cinematic and multimedia projects. Together with Steve Pagan and Simeone Scaramozzino, friends, activists and producers, I will be bringing my inspiration across Europe, and North America. Starting with Spain, a long tour will touch such cities as Madrid, London, Paris, surprising cities in the South of France, and Italy – and then across the pond and off to NY – Brooklyn / Queens/ Manhattan / Bronx / Staten Island; New Jersey – Jersey City; Philadelphia; Chicago; Detroit; Denver; Oklahoma < Indian Reservation; Salt Lake City; ; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; California – San Francisco / Oakland / Marin / Berkeley / Alameda / Oakland; Los Angeles / San Diego; Nevada – Area 51 – Nuclear Weapons Depot – Indian Reservation, Death Valley, andd ending somewhere in the BlackRock Desert…

Art is Tra$h

We would like to thank Art is Tra$h for his time, a true warrior by nature who continues to leave the mark of his will in the street. This is not the voice of an ego but that of the human spirit, rising up and declaring a battle against the degenerated interpretation of capitalism by using street art as a billboard.

For those who want a piece of Art is Tra$h aka El Arte Es Basura, we are releasing 10 paper originals which were lovingly made by hand with watercolour paint and posca pen.

Check out the new originals on our store today at 15:00 GMT.