EGR Interview

By Matthew J

Personally, intros tend to be the hardest thing to do when writing any sort of paper/essay/article, etc
and I have to admit this introduction for Erica Gosich Rose -artist known as EGR- was no exception.

The difficulty lies in the fact so many good things could be written about her, I run the risk of being labelled impartial. So to remedy this I’ll use words other people use to describe her: daughter, sister, friend, artist, entrepreneur, trailblazer, inspiration, motivated, focused, talented, modest , and on top of that, Canadian.

Allow me to add gracious.  I use that word in all seriousness because EGR has been very busy -these days- organizing, hosting, and prompting her own show SUMMERTIME IN THE CITY (which ends on September 13 2009). Giving us a few moments of her time, EGR was kind enough to be interviewed and grant Senses Lost access into her world. In this interview, the native from Burlington, Ontario shares her views on the importance of family, childhood aspirations, aerosol art vs. graffiti, empowerment, the environment, the representation of women within the graffiti culture, and the importance of a person being bold.

["The bold will succeed where the hesitant will not" -- Machiavelli]

Here she is everybody, EGR (pronounced eager) to the graffiti world, but to her friends she is known as Erica.
Wow, I guess writing this intro wasn’t as hard as I originally thought. Thanks, Erica!

You got your started in 1996. What was it about that year which inspired you to get into graffiti? What was happening in your life at that time to push you on that path?

EGR: In ‘96, I was immersed in art of all kinds- pen & ink, printmaking, acrylic painting, life drawing, I had just completed a fundamental art course in college, and was commuting from my hometown of Burlington to Sheridan College in Oakville, and Toronto for concerts and events and such. I was super inspired by the graffiti I saw, as well as being bombarded with billboard adverts and bombs and tags along the train lines, all competing with each other. One of my high school friends introduced me to his work, Sonic aka Clew, and Cant4, also people from college like Font, Tour, and Elicser, they all inspired me so much back then, and still today. It was like an underground messaging system in the city and beyond. We laced the streets with tags like necklaces.

In your own words, who is EGR? What is she about?

EGR: EGR is a lady who’s been through a lot in her life, and sees the world for what it is: earthy and gritty, full of contrasting concepts such nature vs. industry, real estate vs. homelessness. Interesting places and faces, fashion, culture and style. EGR sees things that others can only imagine, and puts it to life on canvas and buildings, inspiring hope in the everyday, mundane grind. No one is excluded, though heads connect, a sense of being at one with the world, both man-made, woman-made and spiritual, is evoked.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to be involved with art in some manner?

EGR: As a child I was an artist too, and I always wanted to draw and paint people. I always knew it was what I wanted to do, though which medium I would choose or what kind of artist I would be was always up in the air. It still is!

Language and terminology both play a big role within any culture, especially graffiti. I’m always interested in learning the story behind an individual’s use of certain words when describing their own art. I want to know why do you prefer to use the term “aerosol art”, when describing your work, as apposed to “graffiti”?

EGR: I prefer to call it ‘aerosol art’ if it’s on canvas or if it’s a legal wall. You can’t exactly call a canvas spray painted in aerosol ‘graffiti’, so that’s why I coined the term. My show at EGR Gallery is aerosol art or spray can art. To me, graffiti is illegal, on the streets and trains, etc.

What does graffiti or rather aerosol art mean for you,personally ?

Its gritty, instant, and raw as a medium. Everyone is trying to go Green and here we are blasting away aerosol rainbows. This kind of art as a means for expression connects me with nature in some weird way. My art is a way of getting back to my roots and tapping in to another realm. I think a lot about my family, and I want them to be well, get inspired and interpret what they see. Somehow, using cans is what I have to do, especially right now in my life, at my optimum health. I want to paint in larger scale, and the idea of painting with aerosol on canvas for Summer Time in The City, brought all aspects of my craft together, essentially bridging the gap between graffiti and art.

Before this show, all of my canvas pieces were done in solely in oil paints with brushes, though I would add aerosol touches to “finish the piece”. My work on the street was solely aerosol, and now its on canvas as well as the street.

Recently, you had a one of your paintings titled “Red Violet” returned after seven years of being M.I.A.; actually it was stolen. Can you tell the story behind this situation?

EGR: Red Violet was hanging at The El Mocambo, a legendary rocker club downtown on College & Spadina in Toronto. I have murals out front that I painted years ago, and a commissioned Rolling Stones painting of mine hangs inside. I also had my canvas art hanging up front on the walls, and one day I came in to grab a piece that was sold, and there was a blank spot where my painting once had been. The owner was there when I discovered this, and was worried that the rest of the paintings might get stolen and he asked if he could quickly buy the painting that was there that He wanted. I pulled my art after that. I sent an email to my whole mailing list letting folks know that the piece was missing, along with a wood board that I painted that was torn off the side of a building that I had been commissioned to paint. Its still missing.

You’ve been quite busy with shows and exhibits. What exactly have you been up to these days?

EGR: I routinely show my work in galleries worldwide in group shows and exhibitions, like LA’s Crewest Gallery for example. I have been working closely with my web designer to develop www.egrart.com and our online Art Shop at www.egrart.com/artshop,  which has taken a lot of effort to master and we are very proud of its capabilities to securely transmit art sales. My web master is the smartest girl I know. In terms of art, I am my own boss, my own agent and I wear a lot of hats; documenting, developing and promoting my work on top of creating it. I spend a lot of time working on commissioned murals, illustrations or art for private collections. The ultimate creative freedom is painting whatever I have in mind, and my newest solo collection in spray paint, Summer Time in the City, has been a blast. (Summer Time in The City at EGR Gallery in Toronto runs until September 12th.)

It has been pure bliss to paint to my heart’s content, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity. After the show closes, the works will remain online to view and purchase. This is the last exhibition at EGR Gallery’s downtown location, so don’t sleep. The studio is moving and it is crazy!

Let’s look at our country’s contribution to the culture. How would you describe Canada’s graffiti scene? And which artists do you feel people should be looking at?

EGR: Canada’s scene is vast and large, with the trains flowing through and into the states, it’s heavy. From Montreal, the most bombed city in Canada, just hosted the 11th annual Under Pressure event and graffiti as a culture is stronger than ever. There’s a whole new skool of kids coming up that are studying hard and doing their thing. New works by Cant4, Elicser, Other, Lease, Dstrbo, actually all of the artists that are part of Housepaint- the first ever exhibition of street art in a major Canadian Museum- the Royal Ontario Museum, was an amazing show to be a part of. All of the Housepaint artists have been blowing my mind this past year.  www.housepaint.ca

How frustrating is it for you being a Canadian, and not getting the proper support [at home] as artists from Europe & South America get from their own homelands?

EGR: I haven’t really thought about it in that way before, but now that you mention it, it really has been frustrating trying to get funding for art projects, or to receive recognition for international achievements. I have yet to figure out the method- no excuse- I will keep on trying.

Do you have regrets painting Ja Rule’s image on Much Music? I only ask because that dude is wack (hahaha). Hindsight is 20/20, eh? [you don't have to answer that one ... haha]

EGR: I didn’t have a choice in the matter of Ja Rule, I found out something interesting about him. He has a tattoo on his back, and he told us it was the name of his little sister who had passed away. Now you may not know this but I also had a little sister who passed away. He turns around to show us his tattoo and across his shoulder blades it reads -Kristen- I couldn’t believe it- that’s the exact same the name of my little sister who passed away when I was little.

Rest in peace our little angel Kristen Rose (1980-1982)

[NOTE from Matthew: despite the fact that I still think Ja Rule is musically whack I will give him respect for honouring his family. I can't knock the man for that. It goes to show there is more to people than what we often see or hear.

Family plays a big part in the lives of everyone, whether they want to admit it or not. How has your family shaped you as a person and how have they influenced your art?

EGR: My family is on my mind a lot. Now that you know about my little sister, she passed away from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) on my father's birthday, which was very traumatic, most especially for my parents. They remained together for years and years before battling my father's mental illness and unfortunately didn't make it through together; they split up around the time I began to get into graffiti. It was very hard growing up, and art was the perfect escape for me.

Even better was using cans and painting walls in the night- painting took me away from the pain of losing my sister, and actually brought me closer to her. My angels and fairies are representations of her, dancing around my head, whispering sweet nothings into my ear..

Okay, we've talked about Canada, your galleries, now I want to spend some a moment learning about the inner workings of Erica. You recently auctioned off some canvases to help out with Habitat For Humanity. How did this union come about? There aren't many artists who give to charity, what motivated you to donate?

EGR: The cause for this exhibition was based on the former Tent City residents and topic of homelessness in Toronto. We painted these pieces at the former Tent City site, where the homeless people and families were evicted several years ago. This exhibition documented both the struggles and successes of these individuals, and after a brutally long winter and ongoing exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum to bring awareness, for me it was a no-brainer when we were asked to donate the proceeds of our canvasses to Habitat for Humanity. I think we all felt it was the least we could do to help. Again, check out
www.housepaint.ca

Going back to a previous answer of yours about wanting to be an artist, what attracted you to aerosol art as apposed to a more 'contemporary' expression? Your hometown, Burlington, Ontario isn't the first place people think of when discussing aerosol art/graffiti. How did you first get involved?

EGR: It was between high school and college- a late bloomer in some people's minds although I did start college at 17- I was so inspired by all the new mediums I was being introduced to. It was a challenge to master them all, so I had to get my hands on spray cans. When I first saw a real production in my hometown backyard-several super colorful pieces along the train line behind a plaza just steps from my door- I knew I had to try it. As I said earlier, Sonic aka Clew, Cant4, Orbit- were the first kids I painted with and truly admired. My first piece was in an underground tunnel where no one- except other writers- could see it. I loved layering the paint, the feel of the cans- and how large you could go. The fact that it was our secret language- a way us artists could communicate with each other in a down low way- I loved it. I loved the anonymity of it and that no one had to know I was a girl. I was instantly hooked.

You mentioned Anonymity and loving the fact that when you first painted, in that tunnel, no one knew you were a girl. Now, I'm a huge of Ghostface Killah (of Wu-Tang Clan) and I remember him once mentioning how his life changed once he took off the mask and revealed his face. How did ... or better yet how has life changed for you since you started letting people know you were a writer?

EGR: I loved how no one would know I was female just by looking at my work because my name is anonymous also. It wasn't until I agreed to do an interview with my mask off, still feeling safe hiding behind the name EGR, that I thought I could possibly contribute something positive.

There are videos on YouTube with me doing interviews wearing a mask, literally. Yet perhaps it was the question, "What's it like being female" being repeated to me that got me really thinking that I did have something to say, a lot to say actually, that was a different opinion than most would expect. Perhaps I could change some stereotypes, or enlighten people or something. The fact that the questions kept coming, as well as the opportunities that went along with them, got me interested in responding and sharing and offering my two cents. I have a philosophy that things that come to you for a reason, if we weren't able to handle it then it wouldn't be on our plate in the first place. It wasn't my first intention to be offering my opinion, I don't have a blog or forum but I do think it's important to share my views when asked my opinion. Taking off my mask- in my case it was also that I would wear wigs to my first several art shows on Queen West, I wanted to make sure my identity was protected and to be honest, I was shy about talking about my position or my work. I would overhear people talking about EGR like he was a guy, some had even met this guy! So, my work was being received quite well long before people knew I was female. I feel by letting people know what I do that it has only opened doors for me.

What are your thoughts on the way women are being represented in the graffiti culture?

EGR: Women have to do so much, not only here, but abroad, yet still do not get the due respect. Men are so fickle. I think for the most part, women respect other women, and revel in sisterhood, while some men just can't give it up for the ladies- they're too macho. Its a 'boys club' to some of them, unless they are modern, civilized men who don't treat the women in their lives poorly. Violence against women is still a major problem in many cultures, yet we have come so far, and I want to represent equality and show how far we've come. Women are sexy and powerful and smart, super-talented creatures that also have beauty, and we should be celebrated and protected by the men in our lives.  When a woman shows her confidence, it still can get misunderstood because the old way of thinking is that women aren't supposed to be bold. Having experienced what I have in my life, living with a single mother, has taught me a lot about the strength of women. I respect that over anything.

In the world of art, sometimes the most fundamental ideas are the most innovative. When I think of something that is fundamental yet innovative, your recycled spray cans come to mind. Mixing art and recycling isn't necessarily a new thing, BUT, you did this with style that has appeal and also remains true to everything that is EGR. In other words, it wasn't corny. How did you first come up with that idea of placing murals on empty cans?

EGR: When I was in the Bronx painting and filming Mural Kings, at the end of the day the fellas took their old empty cans over to a huge trash bin and punctured the empty cans with knives to release the pressure and so they could "properly dispose" of them. Old enamel paint would burst out of the now razor sharp cans. I thought -there's got to be a better way to avoid clogging up the landfills with these toxic razorblades. Plus- this is coming from a Toronto dweller- we just had a month-long garbage strike downtown. Think- summer heatwaves and impromptu dumps made out of city parks! Anyways, I've got boxes of old cans ready to be recycled. It always feels wrong chucking anything into big black garbage bags. Making empty spray cans into art is the perfect solution. Have you seen the 400ml book yet? Published in Paris, France, it has only just come out- I haven't seen it yet but my spray can art is published in it. Its a group of over 400 artists that have painted 400ml spray cans, hence the book title, which is also a traveling exhibition.

What's the story behind the cans? Are any of those characters based on people you know?

EGR: The recycled spray cans feature photos of graffiti and murals I've painted with them. Some are fictional characters, some are inspired by friends or portraits, yet all of the characters are EGR girls.

Lastly, we'll touch on the all important aspect of creativity. As far as creativity is concerned, how are you able to keep your levels [of creation] up?

EGR: I just want to keep going, It must be my drive- that’s why EGR is so fitting. Its a genuine desire to keep going. I have to find new things to inspire me. Sometimes its hard in the dreary winter, but when you think of family, and how life could all be gone in a second- it really makes you think- Screw it- and just express yourself no matter how crazy it may look or feel or sound.