The Godfather of West Coast Graffiti: Kelly 'RISK' Graval artist interview

podcast

Jul 13

Today, we have the honor of chatting with a true pioneer in the world of contemporary art and graffiti, a legend whose work has transcended traditional boundaries and left a mark on both the streets and the art world. Our guest today is none other than RISK, often hailed as the "Godfather of West Coast Graffiti."

RISK, born Kelly Graval, has been a trailblazer since he first hitchhiked from Southern California to New York City after high school, making history as the first Los Angeles graffiti writer whose work ran on a subway car in 1988. Over the decades, RISK has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music and art, including painting the iconic graffiti in Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" video and designing the cover art for Blink 182's 2019 album "9" with his friend Travis Barker. His extensive list of collaborators includes Aerosmith, Slash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ice Cube, and many more.

RISK's creative hub, known as "The Compound," is a vibrant space in Thousand Oaks, California, that has been compared to Andy Warhol's Factory. It's a place where artists from all walks of life come together to create, collaborate, and inspire one another. This artistic utopia fosters a sense of community and productivity, with RISK's unique and sustainable approach to art at its core. His works range from colossal sculptures crafted from repurposed materials to intricate graffiti and fine art pieces that challenge traditional mediums.

Join us as we visit the legendary compound and risks own gallery space where we conducted this interview. Lets delve into the mind and art of RISK, exploring his innovative projects, his influence on both commercial and fine art, and his commitment to inspiring the next generation of artists. Without further ado, let's welcome the legendary RISK to the show!

Pictures from our studio visit at Risk’s Compound Contemporary Gallery