XENZ

Xenz aka Graeme became a graffiti artist at the age of 14 having been inspired by films and books that documented the sub culture in New York. He developed the tag “sense” which evolved into Xenz (pronounced “zenz”) which is the signature he uses today to sign both his paintings and his murals.

Having practiced graffiti art for over 30 years, he has developed a unique approach to the art form. His early works, which were paintings inside the derelict warehouses of Hull in Yorkshire England, encouraged a very experimental approach to graffiti, so much so that the word graffiti no longer sufficiently describes what he does.

Xenz paints landscapes from his imagination using the spray can to capture fragments of memory and ever-changing subject matter, often drawn from the natural world. He lived in Bristol where he painted many pieces alongside one of the UK’s longest standing and most respected graffiti crews TCF, and artists such as Banksy, Inkie and many others extending way beyond the boundaries of Graffiti art..

His experience as a street artist informs his work in the studio. He is a multi disciplinary visual artist. Xenz paintings often explore ethereal themes with enchanted forests depicting birds, butterflies and flowers. He draws inspiration from many sources. Japanese block prints, Chinese watercolours and the paintings of the Impressionists high on this list. Occasionally he breaks from these ethereal themes to depict the world that surrounds him, one of urban detritus and life in the city. Lately he has been working in digital formats creating 3d models, films, sound scapes and projections including recent experiments in virtual reality experiences.