1) Alright so thanks for taking the time out to do this interview, can we get a brief run down of who you are and how long have you been in the game? What crew do you rep and how did you get the name Rotawb?
OK! thanks to you guys! I am ROTA from Naples/Italy and I represent WILD BOYS CREW and VMD. My ROTA Tag is just the set of letters I liked.
2) I see you do a lot of collabs and jams with other graffiti artists, would you say this is one of your favorite things about doing graffiti? Do you feel like you still learn a lot by collabing with
other artists?
I definitely feel like I continue to learn and draw inspiration from the people I paint and collaborate with. I’m lucky enough to live in a city with a good Graffiti movement and a good HipHop culture, this means that I often meet other graffiti artists pretty easily.
3) The other cool thing about being a graffiti artist is that you get to travel a lot and I see you were recently featured in a Chinese Zine along with your buddy Zeus, who we are also interviewing. Im curious what was this experience like, how did you like China and how would you compare the graffiti scene there versus in the states?
Yes this is the really fun part of traveling. The Message Project in China is very cool, but actually Zeus was there this year better than he will tell you about it. I’m just a supporter of a really cool project.
In regards to comparing the scene in China to places in the states, well NY is the Mecca for graffiti for sure but from what I’ve seen looking at Chinese artists online these guys definitely know how to get down!
4) You travel all over from Napoli to Colombia and it looks like everything in-between, what do you think you’ve learned from your experiences of traveling that you have brought into your life and
work? Any cool or fun stories to share?
Yes, that’s something I’m very grateful for my job as I work as a youth coach and this allows me to travel a lot. I focus on workshops for young people based on HIPHOP pedagogy, so the kids get involved in things like graffiti, breakdance, and movement workshops.
5) What is your favorite documentary or book that covers the history or major players of graffiti and why?
Well there are many, but one of my favorites is the Documentary with the title “20 years of Graffiti in Paris”. I really like how he explains everything and it’s very dynamic and has a really cool production. As far as who my favorite pioneer in the game is that would be TRACY 168.
6) Is there any place you haven’t traveled to yet that you would like to travel to?
Outside of Europe I have only been to Colombia, so yea there’s lots of places I haven’t been to yet. Next place I’d like to check out is New York!
7) I see you like to do a lot of digital work as well, do you do graffiti full time or do you do something creative like illustration for your day job?
Yes, I really like drawing digitally, but as explained before, I work a lot with young people and from that I draw inspiration. So often I have to design the course projects with them and this means that I can also carve out time to draw things for myself.
8) Where do you see your work going in the next 5 years or so? Some graffiti artists transition into doing gallery work, do you ever see yourself doing something like that?
Well, as I said before graffiti is part of my job but it’s not my job. What I mean: I’ve always preferred not to work much with graffiti mural commissions, I prefer to keep it to myself. Graffiti is more of a vent and relaxation valve for me, but obviously, I’m not excluding the possibility of work. I’ve learned in life to never say never. So maybe one day, who knows.
9) Thanks again for taking the time out to chat, Any shoutouts you would like to give? Where can people follow you and purchase your work?
Once again, thank you for the invitation and the chat. Greetings to everyone and if you want to follow me here is my Instagram where you can see my work.
