By Ann Nichols
annsnichols@aol.com
Graffiti artist Sour One has brought the outdoors inside at Asher Love Gallery.
For his installation and accompanying objects, he has transformed the walls and surface of the gallery into what he considers a viable art form.
“I’m trying to shed light on graffiti and help people realize it’s not all about vandalism,” he said. “It’s a way to be creative and to express yourself without being seen or heard.”
Sour found his calling at the age of 10. The son of a graphic and tattoo artist, he saw an HazeAM7 piece in Atlanta that inspired him. But, it took him three more years to get up the nerve to pick up a spray can of paint and begin making his mark.
He says he is inspired by architecture, urban decay and letters, in general. And, it is the structure of letters and “the fill” that is what is most important to him.
“Not every piece I create has a message behind it, but every once in a while there will be some sort of hidden message or meaning,” he said. “For instance, I might add a catchy phrase next to the piece or something political.”
Although he sometimes uses paint markers, acrylics and brushes, the majority of his art is done with cans of spray paint. Graffiti is, unfortunately to Sour, still frequently viewed negatively and he knows that a lot of his art will be buffed by another writer or fade away.
“There is nothing about this art form that is permanent,” he said. “It’s a rat race with no finish line.”
“Keeping It Alive” can be seen through Aug. 29.
Asher Love Gallery, 3914 St. Elmo Ave., is open 1-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 822-0289.