Going Solo with Rasty
Painting graffiti since 1999 and tattooing since 2009, Rasty is an artist of many skills and job descriptions. His dedication to mastering his crafts has made him one of the most respected artists in the South African graffiti and lowbrow art communities.
As a graffiti artist Rasty has been instrumental in the growth of the Johannesburg graffiti scene over the last two decades. His artwork has continuously evolved in style, from letters to cartoons to photo realism and hybrid variations of all three, all the while executed with precision and a focus on technique. Through this continual pursuit of bettering his art he has inspired contemporaries and younger generations while setting the standard of quality for both.
Rasty's 'off the wall' contributions to the local graffiti scene equal that of his physical artworks. In 2007 he opened Grayscale, South Africa's only dedicated graffiti and art supplies store, supplying high quality imported and local materials over the counter in Johannesburg and online to Southern Africa.
Grayscale Gallery was launched in 2010 to provide a platform for graffiti artists looking to take their artwork into a gallery environment and present it in an exhibition format. Over the years the gallery has presented group and solo shows of artists at the forefront of the local graffiti movement as well as other 'outsider' art forms. In 2010 he also opened 1933 Classic Tattoos where, together with other graffiti-turned-tattoo artists, he continues to provide the highest quality tattoos.
With all this under his belt, it’s only right that Rasty would have a solo exhibition to showcase his works and we were lucky enough to attend his first one a couple of weeks ago! We caught up with Rasty Knayles, an absolute legend in his field, and got to hear a little about him, his art and going solo.
SL: To kick things off, could you please introduce yourself and offer insights into the world of your art?
RK: My name is Rasty and I’m a multidisciplinary artist. I’ve been writing graffiti for 24 years, tattooing for 14 years and making art since childhood.
SL: The burning question: What led to the delay in venturing into a solo?
RK: Of course I’ve wanted to do a solo exhibition for a very long time however the time never really felt right and I was kind of waiting until the work I was making felt like the art I wanted to present in an exhibition.
SL: What overarching theme or message does your current exhibition convey, and how did you arrive at this concept?
RK: The title of the show, Its About Time, speaks of how long it’s taken me to do this exhibition as well as the concept of putting time into mastering your craft and finding your artistic style or identity.
SL: Could you share some insights into the selection process for the artworks featured in your exhibition? What criteria guided your choices?
RK: As it was my first exhibition I really wanted to present what people have come to know of my work, primarily my graffiti in the streets. The largest component is an installation of 16 individually painted artworks that are an ode to my character graffiti style. In addition to these are letter based artworks that represent where I currently find myself stylistically. Over recent years I’ve found myself moving away from characters and revisiting letters, especially my name, exploring different ways of composing and styling these letters.
SL: In the preparation for your solo exhibition, what aspects have been particularly enjoyable, and what specific outcomes are you aiming to achieve?
RK: The most enjoyable for me has been able to be in my painting studio working on multiple artworks at a time and experimenting with different tools and mediums. It’s been rewarding dedicating time specifically to this and seeing the outcomes.
SL: Are there artists, renowned or under the radar, who have profoundly influenced your artistic perspective, spanning various art forms beyond just graffiti?
RK: Too many to mention just a few.
SL: Looking back on your artistic journey, any standout, memorable, or perhaps wild stories, especially from the early days?
RK: Wild stories, concerning graffiti especially, are best told in person. That being said the best part of this whole journey since starting graffiti as a 17 year old is all the people I’ve gotten to meet, the stories I’ve heard, the places I’ve gone, and most importantly the true friends I have made.
SL: Throughout this period, are there distinct highlights that loom large as pivotal moments for you?
RK: I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to Europe a few times for graffiti and these have definitely been hugely inspiring and instrumental in my growth as an artist.
SL: Have there been notable sacrifices in your artistic and entrepreneurial pursuits that fueled your growth or shaped your current creative position?
RK: When I started tattooing and then especially when I started getting busy and building a big clientele I had to sacrifice a lot of time painting graffiti. I would make sure I painted ideally once a month but often it was less than that. I knew then and can see now that tattooing was what required my time at that point. Although I lost painting time I gained a new perspective on creating art and that has in turn made my graffiti and the art I create better and richer.
SL: In your role as an artist, what legacy do you hope to imprint through your work, and how do you envision the trajectory of your artistic journey in the future?
RK: One of the most satisfying parts of making art is hearing that you’ve inspired someone else to make art. For as long as my work does that then it’s still worth making.
SL: What factors serve as anchors, keeping you grounded in your artistic pursuits?
RK: The endless pursuit of style and mastery of my craft.
SL: Any advice for emerging artists that you wish you had received during your ascent in the art/graffiti/tattoo world?
RK: Don’t put yourself in a box and limit yourself with unnecessary rules. Don’t be afraid to try new stuff outside your comfort zone. Also forget all the hype and do it for yourself first and foremost.
SL: What should we be on the lookout for in the upcoming year?
RK: Corner Store, a new local brand we’ve been working on.
SL: If you were restricted to one artistic pursuit for the rest of your life or career—tags, throwups, pieces, characters, or tattoos—what would it be?
RK: Writing my name.
SL: Lastly, any special shoutouts you'd like to make?
RK: PCP, 1933, Grayscale
Check out more at https://graysideproject.com/ or follow Rasty on Instagram.