cONvERSAtIONS WItH rICArdo rICHEy( APExEr)
By ASHLEy ALt
We all have our own creative outlets. Whether that be through painting, writing or other freeing forms of self-expression, we sometimes surprise ourselves with the emotions that come from seeing the finished product. ricardo richey, better known as Apexer, has that conjuring effect on people.“ go out and explore the world. Experience it with no expectations,” he advises in a voice and outlook that is both captivating and inspiring. Apexer is a street artist from San Francisco who creates colorful, abstract patterns throughout urban cities with the aim to evoke positivity and a sense of connectedness. Often working nine to 10 hours a day creating strikingly distinguished artwork, Apexer leaves it up to viewers to interpret the message.
Apexer, who was a featured artist at the St. ARt festival in St. Louis, will be donating a piece of his artwork to the ISPA Foundation Auction at the 2017 ISPA conference & Expo, and will be giving an inspirational speech during tuesday’ s general Session.
We asked Apexer why he enjoys his profession and what street art accomplishes in society today, and his answers may surprise you.
PULSE: What first sparked your love of street art? Apexer: Growing up in San Francisco in the early 80s, society’ s differences and separations weren’ t comprehensible as a kid. I really started getting into art around third grade. I loved seeing the different colors everywhere around me and wanted to create my own. For me, coloring in my coloring book was no different than seeing scribbles and colors around the city. It actually got me into trouble at home— I would get black ink on the walls.
P: Why is street art so important to the fabric of our cities? A: You have to go back to the beginning roots of New York and Harlem, where there is a good representation of modern cities. A huge part of San Francisco was abandoned growing up— people without jobs, empty lots with buildings crumbling, and that became part of the youth culture. There are famous photos of kids jumping around on mattresses in a parking lot. That youthful, childhood imagination is where street art came from— it tells a story.
For me, it’ s really important to have public art that is diverse and can appeal to sensitivities of a wide group of people. In suburbia of America, homes all look the same. The cars out front are the only forms of color. In cities, you need diversity; you need colors— things that will stimulate the brain and spirit to live healthier.
P: You were born and raised in San Francisco. How does the city inspire your art? A: I lived on one corner of the city, my grandma lived on the other corner, and my cousins in between. We drove around all the time visiting family, so I was exposed to all the different SF neighborhoods. You have skyscrapers, a lot of greenery with parks, and famous painted ladies in front of Victorian houses. Seeing all of this informed me of what I wanted to do. Because SF has hills and streets and valleys, you never know what’ s around the corner. I like to create work that is unexpected so that when you’ re riding your bike down an alley and you turn the corner, you see a random, colorful splash on a building.
( cONtINUEd ON PAgE 28)
26 PULSE ■ October 2017