Fork4 - Engaging with limits - I Support Street ArtI Support Street Art

Fork4 – Engaging with limits

This interview features our questionnaire answered by a terribly talented graffiti artist based in Budapest. Fork4 ‘s creative art stretches our perception into his colourful world that sees no boundaries. Find out more about the person behind the magic…

(ISSA) -What would you like to drink? Coffee, Tea, Beer, Soda or something else?
(Fork4) Tea in the morning, beer at night. 🙂

-Introduce yourself to us!
Hi, my name is Fork4, I’m a Hungarian graffiti artist and art director from Budapest. I’m the member of the Hungarian AFX and UBS crews and the Polish SW307.

– Where does your tag name come from?
At the start, I tried a few names (for e.g. Someone and Monster). But after a while, I realized these names were too long and/or already used by others. I changed my approach. I’d like to find a name with an actual meaning, meanwhile the composition of the letters was also important. So I wrote down my favorite letters and started to think. Finally, I settled as Fork, because I like eating, and it has a harsh sounding. 🙂 Back then I was listening punk and metal music. I’ve added the 4 after a few month later, to avoid the widely used 1, and because 4 is my lucky number.

-How do you define yourself? Artist? Street artist? Anything else?
I prefer urban designer, because my profession has a great influence on my hobby, and vice versa. My art director experience helps me to see my paintings from a different angle, and I definitely use my graffiti skills during office hours. When I stand near a wall with a spray in my hand, sometimes I use PhotoShop in my head. 🙂 I’ve never seen myself as a stereotypical graffiti artist. I tried the illegal stuff, but I realized pretty soon that I’d like create something better, something different. Quickly draw something, than run away from the cops… This isn’t my style. I remember, I could enjoy that feeling and I respect those, who are willing to risk everything, but for me, the slower and methodical approach works better. In my case, the process, and the creation with others are more enjoyable. 🙂

-Most street artists have an interesting back ground. How did it all start for you?
I have no brothers or sisters, so drawing was my company. It was a stable source of joy, and a playful way to express myself. My parents are simple, warm hearted and hardworking people who raised me by high moral standards. They always emphasized rationality to get me ready for life. I had no intention to run away from home, I wasn’t pulled by a ‘bad company’. I’d simply like to create something, that’s why I was searching for friends. When I was 15, a bar owner asked me to decorate his place. That was my first job, and the third time I used a spray. It was an ideal situation, because I had the time and place to learn and experiment. After that, I made my first graffiti using the leftover cans. 🙂 That was the turning point. I contacted with a lot of experienced artist, who gave me advices. I practiced a lot at home, because I didn’t want to flood the legal wall with shitty paintings. 🙂 And I was making sketches day and night. My parents didn’t understand the reason behind that, but now, they are proud. 🙂 During the first few years, they worried about me, but I quited illegal things fairly quickly.

-What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
After I had a coffee with my wife, I check my emails and my current stock of cans, and try to figure out, what would I paint today, if I have the time. I do this every day, and my brain needs it. So when I finally get to the wall, the result will be much better.

-Street art is mostly a visually stimulating form of art. To add another sense, what music or song would best accompany your art work?
Aphex Twin – Windowlicker
Sometimes the wildest techno, sometimes a fast punk song. And there is always place for a loose hip-hop track. I’m listening to a lot of different music, to be constantly inspired, and to give myself the freedom to find music which matches perfectly with my mood.

-In all forms of art, inspiration is crucial. What has inspired you to create so far?
Everything around me is an inspiration. Life, people, movies, traveling, music, everything. When I was younger, little things inspired me, but nowadays I try see the world in its complexity and everything has a deeper impact on me. This evolution gives a great inspiration.

-Before going to paint, what is on your check list to have with you?
Cans, caps, mask, camera, trash bags, cigarette, sunglasses.

-Name 3 other artists you admire and why.
Revok – For his style and his effort which took USA’s graffiti to a new level. I like him especially because when he is making his framed works, he doesn’t just adopt his graffities, but making new, unique pieces.
Sofles – Because he quickly transfomed the way people thinking about graffiti. In addition, he can paint in different styles. I really appreciate that.
Maclaim crew – Because they impressed everyone with their photo-realistic paintings and showed to the world, that graffiti could be much more than a bunch of letters on the wall. Every team member are great artist on their own, and I really like that.

-Which city would you name as capital of Street Art and why?
New York and Berlin. New York is the birth place of graffiti, but Berlin’s culture is amazingly colorful and it is the bastion of European street art. I cannot decide. :S

-What other passions do you have?
I started to play on bass 12 years ago, switched from an another instrument. There were periods, when music was important, and there were periods when graffiti became priority. And there were balanced time, when these two hobbies completed each other, so when I was thinking what should I paint, I imagined what kind of tune it would be. 🙂

-Which is your dream project – ignore costs, realistic thinking and all means.
To paint in New York, to feel that atmosphere and become more familiar with that culture. It is definitely on my bucket list. I hope I will get there! 🙂

-Does your art include symbolisms, messages or repeated patterns?
ORGANIC LANDSCAPES = DREAMS / OPTICAL ILLUSION = TRICKS
I’m using pixels and digital patterns now, but before that, I used organic life forms mixed with graffiti. I want to show the people that graffiti is not only few letters, arrows and characters, that’s a new visual language. I’m riding on the new optical art and typography hype too. 🙂

-If someone vandalises your artwork what is your reaction?
It bothers me less and less. We have only a few legal walls here in Hungary, so I get used to it. I have to enjoy my works on photos. If a toy ruins my painting, well, I become a bit angry, and I try to indicate to him that he should learn a bit more. 🙂 If someone from abroad covers me, I can’t blame him, because when I’m in another country, I’m also searching for the best spots. But if a local guy ruins my work, and I know him, I usually try to talk to him.

-Here is the big punch question… We believe, that street art is the biggest and most widespread art movement in the history of mankind. How does it feel being part of it and in what direction do you think it will go in the future?
I completely agree with you, and I it gives me a lot of thinking.
You know, in the past, if your dream was to be a painter, you really had to work for it and sacrifice a lot. Nowadays, anybody can make graffiti and become a visual artist or a motivated amateur. This is a great opportunity. Because with more people involved, more viewpoints will appear along with new ideas and this process will make an impact on everyday life, even on society!
Personally, I’m a huge fan of this. I can’t even imagine, how could people live in the old times, when they could see pictures only on posters, shop signs and galeries. 🙂

– If you were a world leader what would be the first 5 things you would change?
Climate change discussion, energy source usage, starvation, cancer treatment process, armed conflicts. 🙂

– Is there a question you think is important but no one ever asked you?
What is your favorite color? 🙂

– Do you have a message you would like to express to the world or a certain community?
You should always think 2 minutes more. Toughtless desicisons are usually wrong.
And don’t be selfish, There are more and more graffiti artists every day. Try to fight as one for everybody’s sake, instead of individuals.

Thank you so very muchFork4, we hope for you to achieve all your dreams!

‘’I Support Street Art’’ team