Artist of the day: Artist of the Day, September 2, 2023: WD (Wild Drawing), a Balinese Graffiti artist, painter (#1895)

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Artist of the Day, September 2, 2023: WD (Wild Drawing), a Balinese Graffiti artist, painter (#1895)

Originally from Bali, street artist WD (Wild Drawing) is currently living in Athens, and at this moment he just might be one of the most prolific artists of the Greek street art scene. Almost every week he is surprising his admirers with yet another of his large-scale murals on the streets of European capitals. WD’s public works are often politically charged, criticizing the current state of the society and giving hope to those who stumble upon his works. His “wild drawings” are greatly appreciated in the local communities and accepted internationally, and he is quite popular in the community of our readers.

I moved from Bali in 2006. I like Athens even her difficulties and the hard times that face all these years of austerity. Athens characterized by a sweet chaos that makes her so vivid and gives me so much creativity! Today’s Athenian graffiti/street art scene is an active one and presented all over the city in a way that makes people out of Greece, even referred to Athens as the new Mecca of graffiti/street art.

How did this change of place affect your artistic practice and could you single out some of the differences between the street art scene of your hometown and Athens?
The effect of this migration can be seen in my work and this East-West mixed background, I think, is the element that makes it recognizable. Speaking about differences between the two locations I could say that Bali has still a long way in this “new” Art. Even though there are some commons, such as the appreciation of people for this kind of art.

Much of your work addresses economic, political and social problems in local and global terms? Do you believe that art, especially public art can serve as a catalyst for the change? And can it be done without intersecting artistic practice with activist movements?
Graffiti/street art, or public art in general, is a powerful visual mirror of the society. In the other hand, a piece of art in the street, can speak about serious social phenomena and create a chance to open a discussion around it, among the society. But I don’t believe that Art can really change the status quo or the world, unfortunately.  

As an artist who holds degrees in Fine and Applied Arts, why have you decided to do most of your works on public surfaces, in the streets rather than exhibiting at the galleries?
 Because this is my passion, I love to paint in the street! In this way I can share my thoughts and communicate with as many people as possible; with everyone who passes by in front of one of my works or just comes across with it on the web. This is my voice, and the power I might have, as artist or human.

When you do exhibit at the galleries do you feel different about your work?
 If in the gallery, everybody’s work is transformed into product. Painting is not only my passion, but my work as well. My way to make a living and, very important to me, to support my work in the street. All my projects (apart from festivals or events that I’m invited) are non-sponsored. So, if I want to be active in the street I have to find a way to fund this action, right? And an exhibition can be an option.

There isn’t practically any major street festival in Europe which can pass without you leaving your unique mark on the walls? What is so special about festivals and why do you enjoy them so much? Is it the collaboration with fellow artists, the particular atmosphere or something else?
Right, during festivals you have the chance to meet with other artists, some that you already know through their work and some others that you just discover. Except that, all the people involved in this kind of events are nice and interesting. All this I think is enough to make you happy and enjoy your participation in this feast of colors. After that, the least you can do is to leave to the city you visited, a nice piece of art. Don’t you think?

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