If you are a follower of UK graffiti than you have heard the name The Krah before and seen some of his work on the streets and in many galleries around Europe. Recently i was given the opportunity to catch up with him and asked him what he currently has up his sleeve for the future.  

So where did the name "The Krah" came from?

TK:  The Krah is a Greek word (κραχ) which means the crash or collapse of a state government, usually from economical reasons. Since I was young I was always fascinated with the way that ancient civilizations through history reach their peak then crescendo and collapse, it’s a bit like what is happening to capitalism at the moment around the world.

Growing up in Greece was there much of a graffiti scene?

TK:  When I started painting in the 90’s there was lots of political slogans in the streets of Athens mostly from an Anarchist, communist, and even some neo-Nazi groups. There was also a lot of football hooligan related rubbish! There wasn't a lot of decent graffiti, there were just a few writers and most of them just did letter forms.  It quickly picked up as my crew and I were getting heavily involved in it so did the rest of the Athenian vandals.

Since then I have traveled all over Europe and to exotic places around the world but I think Athens is definitely a hard core graffiti paradise.  So all you vandals around the world should come visit, if not only for the sun and the nice food,  we have plenty of walls to offer too!

Who or what got you into doing graffiti?

TK:  At school there was lots of old school writers that encouraged me to start after seeing my sketchbook.

What writers influenced you the most growing up?



TK:  Mode2, Delta, Shok1, Toast, Daim, Loomit, Os Gemeos and the SDK crew from Paris.

Most of your work quotes "Hitting the streets since 1997". What is the significance of that year for you?



TK:  That’s when I did my first mural with spray paint before that I just did tags in the street.  So from 1997 I became more creative with my vandalism – that’s when it all began.

How would you describe the style you have developed since then?



TK:  Skillful, Urban, Biomechanical, imaginative, figurative.Someone once said to me that my work reminded them of H.R. Giger but on a happy colorful acid trip.

What draws you to the organic form that your writing style and characters usually take?

TK:  Ever since I was young I was obsessed with drawing, my mom says that I started drawing before I could walk.  Also being dyslexic I am not very good with letters  and I find it easier to communicate with images.  As a kid I just wanted to create my own worlds so when I see a white piece of paper or a wall, I see empty space that is infinite. The bio-organic style is when my drawings transform and mutate as they come to life taking over those empty spaces.

Is there a background story to your characters?

TK:  Most people think that I draw aliens but I just draw different types of life forms.  Since they can’t always relate to them they just stereotype them as aliens.

Where do you see your work moving towards in it's progression?

TK:  I have started working on large scale paintings or drawing for about 3 hours a day, and they take me about 3-4 months to finish because they are very detailed and full of symbolism with socio-political messages.

Here is the first one I did: http://www.behance.net/theKRAH/frame/3167450

As you evolve as an artist and take your style to new places have you ever considered crossing over into the collectible toy scene with your characters?

TK:  Yeah, I love vinyl toys! I have been experimenting with sculpture and would love to get some made, it is something I will definitely try to get into in the near future.

You've have had quite some time in the graffiti scene what would you describe as your most memorable moments so far?

TK:  I have have a great time traveling around the world doing graffiti and putting up street-art, it’s been really good fun. When I was younger I use to do more hardcore graffiti hitting trains and getting chased all the time by security and police. 

Some of our vandal missions in underground tunnels breaking into train yards were fun times, but two of my good friends died doing this. It’s a very dangerous game and I am too old for it now.

Barns and George Real R.I.P.

If you could pick one thing you would like to do with you art in your career what would it be?

TK:  I would like to do more sculpting and installations. I feel I have been focusing more on my illustration and painting and I need to vary it to get more into 3D installations in the future.

You've done work on the street and gallery shows all over the world. What can we expect to see in the future from The Krah?

TK:  Check out my website, I keep updating it all the time, join my mailing list where I do competitions and will keep you informed with all the art shows and events I do… got lots of new limited editions coming out soon and art shows coming up, check out my site here: http://www.thekrah.com

Make sure and check out The Krah website to keep up to date with all the upcoming releases and shows. Here are several shots of some of The Krah's work i have photographed over the years on the streets of London.