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PUBLIC ART is best when it's a temporary measure, an intervention as artists like to say. French artist Akse has enlived Stevenson Square with an excellent Hannibal Lector. We asked him a few questions.
Jonathan Schofield (JS): Give us a bit of background about yourself Akse.
Akse (A): I am a graffiti artist from France based in Manchester since 1997. I have been painting with spraycans since 1992 and became a member of the P19 Crew in 1993 (a famous graffiti crew in France).
JS: So why did you come to Manchester?
A: I came to Manchester as an Erasmus student for an MSc in analytical chemistry. I then stayed to do a PhD in polymer chemistry. I've been working as a Project Manager in a testing laboratory since I graduated. I have no artistic education.
JS: Tell Confidential about this painting.
A: This portrait of Lector, 'MasterChef Winner 1991' was 100% freehand spraypainted like all my Graffiti artwork. This piece is part of a personal project called 'Psychopaths' I started last year. It is a kind of tribute to Actors I admire and all portraits are painted on spots around Manchester. My first piece was a portrait of John Malkovich called 'John is watching you'. It was painted on the wall of the Blank Space Gallery as part of an exhibition I had there during the Eurocultured Festival 2011.
The second 'Wanted' was a portrait of Jack Nicholson done last April on a shutter at Sunshine Studio in the Northern Quarter. I was then contacted at the beginning of August to paint this block and thought it was perfect for my third piece.The place I paint these portraits is very important and this is the reason why I only paint them when I think the spot is suitable. I would not paint them on a 'graffiti wall' for example.
JS: How long is it going to be visible?
A: This portrait will stay for 3 months only as it is part of the Out House project (www.outhousemcr.co.uk). However I've been asked to paint the other side of the block so this may happen soon.
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Someone's already tagged it- right across the forehead. Shame.