This month, we connected with an exciting emerging voice in the graffiti scene , Terox, a young artist already making bold marks in public space.
Despite being early in both age and career, Terox’s work shows a raw confidence and creative instinct that caught our attention immediately. His pieces are fast, layered, and deeply personal, a blend of style and message that refuses to go unnoticed.
1 - Could you explain your practice?
I’m Terox , I’m a contemporary graffiti artist from Newcastle .My chosen medium is spray paint. I also use found objects to craft my pieces .All of my projects are constructed in my garden studio, where I draw inspiration from my surroundings, sights ,smell , touch & sound .
I interpret these through my love of hip hop culture. I carefully place colour within dreamlike shapes & pattern . My pieces are bright & vibrant respecting the old school graffiti colour ways of the 80s.
I’m colour blind but I think it brings an element to my work that means I don’t always see the same as someone viewing my work which I think is cool . My pieces are bright bold & intense . I like to paint on weathered ply board, fresh canvas & even scrap cardboard. I tend to add my signature bubbles into my work whether there on show fully , upside down , hidden or in shadow form .
2, Is art relevant today?
Yes art is always relevant it’s constantly evolving. Art isn’t specific or defined by painting a picture. I think art is in you .
My spray can has been jokingly referred to as an extension of my arm and I feel it is in some ways . When I’m out and about I’m always looking at stuff and thinking” I gotta make that into a piece”
Art is literally everywhere if you look.
3, We are always asked what other artists influence us, we want to know what art you don’t like and which influences you?
I’m influenced by artists such as Jean Michel Basquiat, Keith harring , Jackson pollock & Damian Hurst .I love their style and their overall vibe . I’m also influenced by old school hip hop artists like Rakim ,Nas ,Biz Markie & Grand Puba to name a few . My music definitely influences my work .
There’s honestly no art that I don’t like , I think there’s value in everything and every one adds something.
4,If you could go back 10-20 years what would you tell your younger self?
If I could go back , well 20 years ago I wasn’t born yet !
10 years ago I was 2 and had just started painting. I’d tell myself to do everything the same . What is for you will come to you . I’d probably not my tag dads car with a stone though or paint the back of my mams new sofa . I’m lucky they both encouraged me instead of telling me off & shifted me to painting on paper instead.
I reached my dream of exhibiting in the Baltic gallery of contemporary art when I was 10 . I’m still super proud of that .
5,If you could go forward 10-20 years what do you hope to have done or not done?
moving forward into the future 10 plus years I’d love to be settled in my own studio , something I’m working on, at the min. I’d love my own solo show at Baltic gallery that’d be so cool . I’d love to ultimately have a big piece of work in the Tate ! That would be epic ! I’d like to be driving there in my Pagani or RWB Porsche fully custom painted by me . I just want to be still painting on everything.
We reached out to see if he’d be open to sharing more about his process, influences, and the role graffiti plays in his life. He agreed to take part in our Q&A for this special graffiti issue, and his responses reflect a depth of thought and purpose beyond his years.
Here’s what he had to say.
His insta link here to see more of his work
https://www.instagram.com/terox_10?igsh=cG5vcmozNDJ4djdw&utm_source=qr
