ANIMAL showcases a different street artist regularly in our feature, Scratching the Surface. This week, we profile Bishop.
Name/Alias:
Bishop203 (JAT1)
Decade you were born in:
’70s
City you currently live:
Brooklyn
Drugs or natural highs?
I have a beer belly…..
How did you get your name?
I have had Bishop as a nickname since I was a teenager. I think I got it because I wanted to be a tough guy so bad. I have come to learn over the past few decades that getting hit in the face hurts, and I don’t like it. So no more tough guy; but the name stuck with me. My friends and I grew up painting in CT so our crew was 203. Our imagination was boundless….
Why do what you do?
Because I suck at juggling and am not a good team player.
But really, I grew up watching all the colors on the tunnels going in and out of the city from CT and wanted a piece of it. I have been painting since I was 13. Not very good at much else, not even sure I’m good at this but I love it!
How does your mother feel about your art?
She has come to terms. Her golden rule has always been that she would never bail me out. Fair enough.
Are you making a living off your art? How’s that working out so far?
I am now on year 3, owning Low Brow Artique. I am not eating off it yet but I truly feel that by year 4 I will be able to super-size my meals. One step at a time, though.
Fuck the art world or embrace the art world?
Embrace the art world and all its fuckery! Just don’t take shit too seriously, I guess.
Do you bring your smartphone into the bathroom with you? Why?
Yes! (I know, it’s nasty — but I have a really good domino app.)
Do you ever feel like giving up?
Of course I do. Everyone does.
Suggest an artist to follow.
Bisco Smith
Hoacs
That’s rite, I named 2!
