There are writers who dabble, and then there are those who dedicate decades to the craft. APASHE falls squarely into the latter category. A Franco-Canadian master of technical wildstyle, he has spent over twenty years leaving his mark from the regulated walls of Montreal to the sun-baked, gritty alleyways of Marseille. But beyond the paint, the wildstyle, and the rush, there is a philosophy about liberty and life on the move. We sat down with APASHE to talk about the marathon of graffiti, the difference between a 3D render and a concrete wall, and why he doesn’t worry about his legacy.
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Part 1: The Long Game
We went back to the very beginning—the year 2000. Looking back at that younger version of himself holding his first can, we asked what kind of ambitious dreams were running through his head at the time.
APASHE: "When I started graffiti, my only goal was to do the best piece I could do. I didn't think a lot about the future."
It’s a simple goal, but one that has carried him through two decades. Naturally, we wondered if the reality of his life today matches up with that early mindset.
APASHE: "Yes, I think I'm pretty ok with Job I do."
Graffiti is often described using words like creativity, sharing, and color. We asked APASHE to strip it all away and pick the single most vital principle that defines his art.
APASHE: "For me, liberty is the most important because it condition all the other."
Of course, a life dedicated to painting walls usually comes with a price tag—be it legal trouble, relationships, or time. When we asked about the personal cost of his dedication, his perspective was surprisingly optimistic.
APASHE: "I can't say I've paid a lot with graffiti. I hope I won more than I've paid. ;)"
Many artists have that one "lightbulb moment"—a specific piece that confirms they are on the right path. APASHE, however, sees it differently.
APASHE: "I don't have any specific moment, I think it's more evolution on a long time which is important. I think graffiti is more of a marathon than a sprint."
Part 2: From Montreal to Marseille
APASHE is known for an intense, technical wildstyle. Standing in front of a wall, trying to execute that perfect flow, isn't always a zen experience. We asked if it feels like a meditation or a fight.
APASHE: "For me, it's a constant battle, I don't want to do same thing at each paint. This implies that I often have to step out of my comfort zone so sometimes, it works, sometimes not..."
His work spans two very different environments: the stricter regulations of Montreal and the looser, rougher vibe of Marseille. We asked where he feels his most honest self comes out.
APASHE: "For sure, I think the city influence how I paint. In Montreal, I was painting mostly on 'legal walls'. In Marseille, it's more bombing and abandoned places. I prefer honestly the second vibe which is more interesting for me..."
His pieces are often intricate puzzles of letters accompanied by characters. We were curious about how he balances the two distinct elements.
APASHE: "I like when the character interacts with letters and background. It permit to tell a real story. For me, working on letters and on characters are deeply different but complementary."
By day, APASHE is a professional 3D artist and Infographist. We asked if that digital discipline ever restricts his spontaneity on the streets, or if it helps structure his wildstyle.
APASHE: "For me, it's just another tool but I rarely do exactly what I do in computer graphics on walls. I prefer express myself on walls indepedently from what I work in Infography."
Part 3: The Misconceptions and the Future After twenty years in the game, you hear a lot of noise from the outside world. We asked him what the biggest myth or misunderstanding is that the general public still holds about writers.
APASHE: "Undoubtedly, the fact that people always confuse graffiti and tag."
If he could travel back in time to meet that kid in 2000 just picking up his first can, what piece of advice would he offer?
APASHE: "I would say him to stay himself..."
Finally, we touched on the heavy concept of "legacy." We asked how he hopes the next generation remembers his style. His answer was refreshingly humble.
APASHE: "To be honest, I don't think my style will be remembered by the next generation and I don't look forward about that. Next generation have to be free like the others."
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