Health Article Blog: Interview with Sunil Pawar, Artist and DJ at his current Art Exhibition, 'Eight' Members Club, City of London, Dec 2009

Sunil Pawar is a legendary Graffiti Artist & talented DJ, considered to be one of the forerunners of the British stencil art scene (he was profiled in the seminal book 'Stencil Graffiti' alongside the likes of Banksy and Logan Hicks) Sunil’s work features in exhibitions and collections worldwide. His latest collaborations have been with design heavyweights Comme Des Garcons & Junya Watanabe.
Sunny's work reflects the world that surrounds him - DJ culture, sound system clashes, and pop art. Word is US Rapper Kanye West is a noted fan of his creations.
I caught up with Sunil at the private view for his latest exhibition in Eight Members Club this week in the City Of London.

NIKKI: Hi Sunny, superstar artist & DJ- How long have you been Painting & DJing and what's the history behind both skills?
SUNIL: Yes Nikki! At an early age I was listening to all the pirate radio stations in North London and just became obsessed with hip hop, soul, lovers rock,
rare groove and acid house (or whatever the fashionable term is for it these days!).My older sister was into stuff like The Human League and Kraftwerk which rubbed off onto me, I went to my first warehouse rave at the age of 16
which was just unbelievable, It had a real big effect on me and was a real influence on my artwork.

I used to hit up record companies and radio stations to try and sell my paintings whilst I was still at school to get money to buy records.(not always successfully!)
(by the way..at the age of 15, Sunil skipped school one afternoon, and walked into the North London offices of music legends, Soul II Soul with a bag full of paintings, he sold everyone of them)

NIKKI: Did you study art and how did you get into your medium ?
SUNIL: I have always worked with spray cans, I was influenced by graffiti styles and it also helped that my mates dad was a mechanic so I was able to
get paint easily! I love the flatness of colour that using sprays achieve, I guess it goes well with the more textured side of my work..

NIKKI: For those who don't know, describe your style of art ...
SUNIL: That's a difficult one.. its like the visual version of the toughest hip hop beat you ever heard, the dirtiest b-line you ever felt, the tastiest meal you
ever ate, the finest alcohol you ever tasted..

NIKKI: Tell me about your current exhibition at 'Eight' club in London, what pieces does it include & how did it come about?
SUNIL: Yeah that was a wicked hook up, the legendary Jenny from The Helium Foundation sorted it all out, It was really exciting because it wasn't just another show on a Thursday night in Shoreditch, it was in a mad subterranean location just round the corner from the Bank of England, Its always good to get my work in
different and interesting spaces.. I have thirty pieces in it so it was quite hectic getting it all ready but its had positive feedback which is good,
The private view was also blessed by an appearance by the legendary Beatnik crew which is always a good look!

NIKKI: Who or what is your inspiration for your art?
SUNIL: I tend to admire artists from different disciplines, people like Issey Miyake, Zaha Hadid, Stella Mcartney, Roll Deep, Terror Danjah...
Their styles may not come through in my work but when I see or hear their creations it triggers something inside me to paint.

NIKKI: Do you think your djing and love of music feeds your artwork, how do you find a balance between both careers?
SUNIL: yup, its all about the music
Its definitely difficult trying to juggle everything, I made the decision a few years back to give up residencies and quieten down the playing out part of my
life and concentrate on the artwork / illustrating, I still play out special occasions and one off nights though..

NIKKI: What is your favourite piece of your own work
SUNIL: More Bass That's the Law! my customised Eltax speakers, not only do they look fresh, they sound fresh as well!
I feel it combines the music element of my artwork really well, when I hook it up to a sound system. I love the concept of DJing through my painting
Its like bring everything full circle, it starts with the bassline and ends with the bassline

NIKKI: Top 3 tunes in your DJ set?
SUNIL: My top tunes are...
FLY LIFE Basement Jaxx
BOSSY Kelis
PIRATES ANTHEM Cocoa t and Shabba Ranks

NIKKI: What does 2010 have in store for you?
SUNIL: I am working on a project at the moment which is a mix of my painting with sound engineering, hopefully a show in Hong Kong and Tokyo,
I want to finally find a cure for my insomnia, and looking to create some kind of touring exhibition / TV programme for charity to raise awareness about
people with Epilepsy..