The Austrian urban art and graffiti illustrator Nychos was born in 1982 in Styria, Austria where he grew up in a hunting family. Getting confronted by the anatomy of dead animals at an early age and being an 80’s kid with an interest for cartoons and heavy metal ended up being some of the ingredients which inspired him when he started graffiti and painting at the age of 18. Over the years he developed a distinctive style which stands out – his dissections and cross sections of human and animal bodies are easily recognized. The focus and reinterpretation of dissected motives in a combination of colorful outlines can be seen as his branding.

He is well known for his huge and technically outstanding art pieces in the urban environment as well as several gallery exhibitions. He’s currently seen as one of the most sought-after artists of the street art scene.

Hi Nychos, today you selected for Music On Walls three of your artworks inspired by music. Can you tell MoW why you chose to create artworks inspired by music? And the reason why you chose these singers/musicians for your artworks?

When I use a person in my art I do it because I honour them and what they have done. Since music and those musicians have always inspired me so much I wanted to give them back something.

Elvis is the King of Rock & Roll and Lemmy is pretty much god for me, or was, sadly. Black Sabbath has always been in my Top 10 so Ozzy was an obvious choice for me.

Do you have a favorite piece between the ones presented today? And if so, why ?

Lemmy is definitely one favorite piece. When I did my research for the IKON show, I asked myself who would be interesting to dissect, who would fit. I thought about Lemmy but actually wanted to keep him for later. The next day I woke up and read on the news that he has passed away. So I said ‘okay, it’s Lemmy, now I have to paint him’, and I really enjoyed painting him.

A lot of people always point out that Lemmy has 4 eyes in the picture, which they think shouldn’t be there, but you know, it’s my world. (laughs). It was important to me that the portrait stayed intact. I didn’t want to give him hollow eyes, I wanted to give Lemmy the real look but I also wanted the eyes shooting out of his head too.

Why is music important to you, in your life and in your art?

As mentioned before music is one of the main things that inspire me. Not only in my art, everything is better with some good tunes blasting away any negativity there is. I probably wouldn’t be able to do half the things I do without music.

Do you have plans on creating new artworks inspired by music/musicians ?

There are so many musicians that I would like to honour with my art, I am certain the one or the other will end up on a canvas sooner than later.

Can you tell Mow more about your techniques and how long does it takes you to make an artwork?

I always try to figure out ways of showing the human anatomy. Through dissecting the bodies or faces I can look inside of them. Slicing them apart, taking off the skin, or breaking off the bones to show the organs and what lies beneath the outer layer. Then there is the classic cross section I use, which is like cutting the body with a lightsaber to show a kinda graphic slice. A more tricky way of showing the human anatomy is the melt down where the surface, the skin, seems quite smooth and runs down as it melts. Really tough is the translucent technique though. Showing the organs and bones completely intact through a shimmer of flesh. Painting the gloomy outlines after I’ve already painted the other layers, means I am not allowed to displace them, otherwise the piece is destroyed.

Do you listen to music when you’re working ? If so, what is the kind of music you would listen to ?

I always listen to music when I work, I would even say it’s impossible for me to work without music. Depending on my mood and the piece I am working on it’s either heavy metal or stoner rock or something along those lines.

What was the last gig you went to ?

The last gig I went to was extra special to me. I got to see one of my favorite bands, Orchid, perform privately in their studio.

Are you a musician yourself?

I am awesome at playing air guitar and air drums, I’ll let you know the next time I play a gig.

THANK YOU SO MUCH NYCHOS

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NYCHOS WILL BE PART OF :

PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ! GROUP SHOW
From 10th September to 8 October 2016

OPENING NIGHT / Saturday 10th September from 6pm to 9pm

GALERIE OPENSPACE
116, boulevard Richard Lenoir, Paris 11e