Check out this interview with Trevor about his art:
Trevor ‘CURLY’ Peters is a self taught Jamaican/Cree Canadian artist who divides his practice between graffiti art and fine art. In 1994 Peters was introduced to spray painting and immediately connected to the mystical lifestyle of leaving his mark in the dark. Those primitive styles and ways have now evolved over time with Peters having painted hundreds of pieces in cities all around the world. His main inspirations come from New York graffiti pioneers such as Dondi White and Rammellzee while he also connects to the classic work of Salvador Dali and Picasso. Now 26 years later he remains an active graffiti writer with one foot in traditional New York style and the other in a loose, experimental, abstract expression. As he manages both practices differently it is his intention to emulate the energy of his street paintings in his work as a fine artist. This energy applied to canvas is a portal into the textures of Peters experiences traveling and painting around the world. As he slowly transitions into the world of fine art he will always remain connected to his roots and time spent creating in the streets.
In 2016 Peters launched Rust Magic International Street Mural Festival with partner Annaliza Toledo. Rust Magic is a grassroots initiative with the intent to create a more vibrant aesthetic in the streets of their hometown Edmonton. Working with local and international artists, the project has gained significant adulation from the global street art community. The murals have added a new interactive texture to Edmonton that viewers are experiencing with great enthusiasm. As of 2020 The festival has seen the creation of 60 incredible murals by some of the leading artists in the industry. By hosting artist talks and events, Peters and Toledo are able to advocate on behalf of their movement with an authentic perspective and raw passion. Having built a strong network through years of painting and travelling, Peters is humbled by the support he has gained from his peers. Now in this new role as festival producer, curator and visionary it is his mission to give back to his community and properly translate the culture to a wider audience.
For this mural, Curly painted in a graffiti style and composition that references hand-drawn Hip Hop party flyers which were commonplace in New York during the 1970s and 1980s. These flyers were designed by renowned (graffiti) writers like Phase 2, and featured funky Bboy characters accompanied by handwritten details. By presenting this mural as a mystical painting experience, its message is meant to contrast the discussions around the legalities and legitimacy of graffiti as an art form. Regardless of its meaning or addictive nature, Graffiti at its core represents an inherent need to communicate.
