Akse is a French born Graffiti Artist of Vietnamese heritage, based in Manchester since 1997. Akse started painting in 1992 and is a member of the P19 Graffiti Crew. Over the last few years Akse has focused on freehand High-Definition HD photo-realism graffiti portraits. His work around the Manchester always commands people's attention and often reflects the social, political and cultural mood of the city. His highly acclaimed work is featured in other cities including Liverpool and London.
Hi Akse, thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak to us today, firstly let’s start from the top, what was it that inspired you to create street art?
I got into Hip Hop in the late 80’s and started as a Graffiti artist in the early 90’s in Paris’ suburb. As I moved to Manchester in the late 90’s, I ended up painting more public spaces and naturally evolved as a street artist; I realised that I could reach a wider audience, which help me grow as an artist.
Anyone who has been to Manchester will have seen your murals around and how they almost shape the atmosphere of the city. What is it about Manchester that makes it the perfect canvas?
The Northern Quarter has the bohemian vibe that suits well the street art scene. The Outhouse project has also been a great platform for street artists to display their artwork in the centre of the City. That’s where I painted some iconic pieces: Heisenberg, David Bowie, Tony Wilson, Arya Stark, George Floyd, Captain Tom to name a few.
Something I find interesting about the subjects you depict is they can perfectly capture the current zeitgeist. How do go about choosing your subjects to paint?
The subjects I pick are personal choices, they need to resonate with me on a personal level. Whether it is the character of a series I love like Walter White from Breaking Bad or Gi Hun from Squid Game, or some inspirational people like Marcus Rashford with his free school meal campaign.
Something I find interesting about the subjects you depict is they can perfectly capture the current zeitgeist. How do go about choosing your subjects to paint?
The subjects I pick are personal choices, they need to resonate with me on a personal level. Whether it is the character of a series I love like Walter White from Breaking Bad or Gi Hun from Squid Game, or some inspirational people like Marcus Rashford with his free school meal campaign.
One of your murals that went particularly viral was your incredible painting of Marcus Rashford. After England’s defeat in the Euro’s final, it tragically got vandalised, there was an incredible outpouring of emotional support for Rashford and your mural with flowers, flags and messages of support being left and I’d just like to ask what this experience was like for you?
It wasn’t the first time it got defaced but got widespread attention because it was a direct result of England’s defeat at the Euro’s final. The amount of support was incredible, people really stood together to send a strong message of solidarity
I turned up one morning a few days after it happened to fix it thinking it would be a quiet one; all the media and loads of locals were already there, it was quite overwhelming but very positive as you could really feel the community coming together in this difficult time. I ended up staying all day talking to the media, chatting to locals and watching people adding messages of support on the wall.
We were honoured to sponsor one of your latest works, a mural of your Thai Boxing teacher’s son, Kru Steven Moore, and painted on the wall outside his gym. Could you tell us a little bit about your relationship with him and what it was like doing such a personal work as such?
Let me first thank you for your generous support with the project, it would have been difficult for this mural to come to life without your help, I’m very grateful.
I started Muay Thai in 1997 but joined the Sitsiam Camp, founded by Arjarn (Master) Tony Moore, in Ashton-under-Lyne back in 2006/2007. I painted a couple of small murals over there in 2011 but the School had to be relocated to Stalybridge few years ago. That’s where the opportunity for another mural came up.
I had the idea of making a short-documentary about the Sitsiam Camp for years and decided to work again with the team behind the Marcus Rashford mural’s video. All the murals I’ve painted for the Sitsiam Camp are personal projects and I see them as a personal contribution to the School, a way to promote the Thai Martial Arts, the Art my Teacher Arjarn Tony Moore has dedicated his life to.
I initially intended to paint a portrait of Arjarn Tony Moore but he preferred to have his son Kru (Teacher) Steven Moore on the wall to represent the School. This really is a symbolic illustration of passing on the knowledge from one generation to the next, which is something we wanted to convey in the short-film.
Keeping with the personal is there any one of your works that you could call your favourite that stands out to you that you’ve done and why?
It’s a question I’ve often been asked and it is difficult to pick one favorite. All murals have their own stories, it’s like asking who’s your favorite child. But I’d say that the murals of my boys are the most personal ones and therefore the ones that mean the most to me.
Could we talk a little about materials, what are you go-to when it comes to executing a mural outdoors?
I started using spraycans in the early 90’s so I have used a lot of different brands. The main ones I’ve used are Sparvar in the 90’s, Molotow Premium and Montana Colors. My favorite ones are MTN 94 as they are low pressure so ideal for working on fine details required with photorealistic portraits.
