Hello My Name Is: Nestwo

Name: Nestwo
Crew: Sly Fox Crew (SFC)
City/Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
When did you start writing? 2009

What’s graffiti for you?
It’s an expression that will get your hands filthy. It’s about writing your name in styles, smearing frowns or smiles on people and to have that same kinda energy that keeps driving you insane. It’s about letting yourself loose, withdrawing you from the daily mundane world, and have fun.

Influences?
I was always into old school graffiti styles from Europe and New York. When I first started, there was a local crew called Phiber Wryte was also a heavy influence on graffiti letters.

Tell us about your city, how is life and graffiti there?
Hot and humid, bad traffics, good FOOD!, multiracial, multilingual, multicultural, a busy city after all. Graffiti here is lacked of street bombing, more to piecing, more to legal and commission jobs. The scene is definitely growing, but I’d like to see more tags or throw ups (I guess that somehow defines the essence of graffiti) on the street as equivalent as to pieces and burners.

What keeps you still writing?
I had times when I wanted to quit. That hunger and enthusiasm were slowly dying. But then again, there were writers all around that inspired me to persevere and keep progressing. Collaborating and traveling was also a drive that keeps up me on track.

What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track?
When I was little, I always loved drawing. I had this ‘Limp Bizkit – Significant Other’ cassette and I was drawn to the album cover. I remember drawing the character and the logotype over and over again. During my days in Uni, I met this writer Cyde2 who brought me out to the graff scene in Kuala Lumpur and from there it was when I commenced.

What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like?
I think it’s the “computer-generated” font typography styles. I mean it looks nice but it just doesn’t carry the heart of graffiti letters. The fundamental of graffiti letters has to portray the movement, the flow, how each letters connected, juxtaposed and structured.

What do you do when you’re not painting?
Getting wasted.. Beers, hookahs, football/futsal, work out.

How would you describe your style?
Sharp edges, old school, semi wild, sometimes funk.

Can you remember the first piece you did?
Yeah, I was writing ‘Munden’ initially, that piece was in orange and yellow.

Future plans?
Travel, collaborate, meet more writers and to explore on canvas someday.

Do you adapt your pieces and tags to the spot/surface?
Yes, adapting based on the space of the spot and the condition of the surface.

What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city?
They ‘selfie’ more than they do graffiti.

What are the best and worst aspects of graffiti?
Best aspects: Be able to travel, meeting new people, sharing cultures, collaborate and have fun.
Worst aspects: Stereotype, prejudice, health, and wealth.

Who do you paint for?
Me, myself and I.

What writers have inspired you?
123KLAN, Revok, Ces1, Zebster, Craola, Can2, Brus, Atom1, Zeus40, Utah & Ether.. Too many!

Can you ever feel tired of graffiti?
Honestly, yes.

What do you hope people will think and feel when they see your stuff?
I hope they will be happily wondering.

FIVE FAVORITES
Spray Paint: Montana Gold
City: North London (where Arsenal FC is. LOL)
Markers/pens: Artline Fine 0.7, Medium 0.6
Surface: Concrete
Cap: Montana Level 1

Website: facebook.com/NESTWO
Instagram: @_nestwo