MANILA, Philippines—When you live in a country known for having a lot of rules—very strict rules—you wouldn’t really think of going around with spray paints and covering walls with graffiti. Unless you’re The Killer Gerbil.
The Killer Gerbil, who named himself after his pet gerbils, has created a character who “goes to an empty space and kills it with colors in forms to beautify the environment.”
He has transformed many things, from abandoned buildings and boring walls to cars, bikes and gadgets, into works of art with his spray-painted works.
He was already a visual artist when he discovered his passion for graffiti. While doing a mural project in a club in Singapore, he found half-filled cans of spray paint. After finishing his artwork, the guy took the cans to an abandoned building across the street.
“I was amazed at what the spray can could offer... I love how a spray can can cover large-scale areas quickly and how the paint is made to last in harsh environments and temperatures. You can create wonders, from a simple flat color to realistic masterpieces.”
Graffiti fit The Killer Gerbil’s lifestyle. “I’m an 80s kid. I’m influenced by pop culture,” he says.
Not satisfied with abandoned buildings, The Killer Gerbil has taken his new medium to new levels. In 2005, he was given the Motorola Streestyle Street’s Choice Award.
“Motorola Singapore recognizes local creative talents in the fields of art, music and sports every year. I was an upcoming artist in the scene at that time and I was surprised to be nominated in the art category along with big names. I did not expect to emerge as the winner,” he recalls.
The Killer Gerbil has also worked with big companies on different projects. Oakley and Adidas asked him to customize some of their products.
“I’ve also been asked to do live paintings. I’m pretty lucky to have been part of projects with huge corporations. It’s nice to know that people recognize what I do and trust me with their projects. I always try to create something beyond their expectations.”
He’s also had collaborations with apparel brands like Geseho and Headline in Singapore and Wadezig in Indonesia.
Painting cars
He’s also painted cars—a Toyota Starlet for a show, a brand new 6 digit Mini Cooper Cabriolet for a local TV program, a brand new Subaru WRX for a music concert and a friend’s Honda Fit, which became part of his first solo exhibit.
But cars aren’t the strangest things he’s painted. “A couple of years ago, some people at the IdN Conference requested me to paint on their belongings like iPods, Macbooks and PSPs. I thought those were crazy things to paint on!,” he says.
The Killer Gerbil has a hard time picking favorites when it comes to his artworks. “As an artist, I’m never satisfied with my works, although I gave my very best in every single one of them. I am always on the hunt, I’m always exploring different styles to keep improving myself.”
He’s participated in countless exhibits in Singapore and abroad. “I think being a graffiti artist from Singapore sparks that interest for them, because they know Singapore is strict on graffiti and I’m still able to get away with what I am doing.”
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Many people refer to him now as a graffiti icon, but that’s one title The Killer Gerbil is not comfortable with.
“I don’t think I can ever accept that. I’ve still got a long way to go.”
But he can’t deny the clamor for his artworks, even for his stickers which he’s ended up putting on his website so he can supply the demand.
“A lot of people keep asking for my hand-drawn stickers. I couldn’t keep up with drawing them, so I decided to create vector artworks and placed them on my site so people could download them on sticker paper and they could go on a sticking spree.”
There’s no doubt that The Killer Gerbil loves what he’s doing. “The energy, spontaneity and the smell of aerosol give me the craze,” he said. “The freedom to create what I want and get paid for what I do is definitely the best thing one could ask for.”
But he understands that some people still think of graffiti as vandalism. “I can’t blame them. It’s sad, though, because people choose to judge and believe stereotypes. But that’s how the world works. I’m just trying to educate and spread the knowledge and hopefully open the view of the people about this artform.”
His tips for aspiring graffiti artists? “Keep on practicing and never give up. Educate yourself and spread the love.”
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