Interview with Ekundayo

[Yevgeniy Shukhman caught up with rising artist Ekundayo  just a few days prior to his Alteration show at SURU (opening on Saturday 5.24), to talk about his art and its progression.  We’ve included preview pics of pieces from his show as well as shots of Ekundayo painting a mural in front of SURU.  Enjoy]

Ekundayo please introduce yourself to our Vinyl Pulse readers. Why should they be reading this interview?

My name is Ekundayo. I was born in Hawaii.  I create art for the people and for my sanity. People should read this ’cause it’s better then checking their Myspace.    


True to that! Well, this is the second time I’m doing an interview with you, last time being about six months ago. What have you been up to since then?

I’ve been in the studio working on my most recent series of paintings for the "Alteration"  art show at SURU along with the "Red Forest" art show I’m doing with KMNDZ in October at Thinkspace gallery. I have also been doing a few art pieces around the city as part of my city beautification project and now that I have a little more time on my hands I plan to take that into overdrive.

That’s very exciting, especially the beautification project.
Can’t wait to see them. So, Do you feel that  there is  progression in
your art and process?

I’m always trying to progress with every piece I do, I feel I really
made a jump with these more recent pieces. I’ve just been slowing down
and really enjoying the process of painting and creating new work.


Your painting are complex, involved,  based around your characters. Have you ever thought of turning them into Vinyl Toys like many other artists do these days?  If yes, how would you approach it?

I would love to create a Vinyl Toy but when I do, I want to make
sure it really captures the spirit of my work with all the grimy
details. I really love Todd McFarlane’s sculpts and that  kind of
attention  to detail is something I would want to have with my toys.

The upcoming Solo Show at Suru on May 24th is your 3rd at that
location. How is it different this time and what should we expect to
see?

Well, Im still coming with all my usual funky flavor but there are a
few new aspects that I have added to the paintings –  like carving into
the wood panels to create an etched effect and I’m also incorporating
more of my  portraiture.


Customary for all Art Shows at SURU, there is going to be very limited edition product. Please tell us about it?

I designed two t-shits that will be sold during the opening night of
the  show and I’m really happy with the way they turned out. I used a
similar style that I do my paintings in but doing it in Illustrator
really made everything super clean.


What is next and if there is something you’ve been keeping a secret why don’t you share it with us?

Well, I’m gonna be doing a bunch more murals in the coming months.
One is an event called "Exit"  in July at the Los Angeles Convention
Center. I will be painting a mural with the legendary  Steve Caballero,
Lance Mountain and KMNDZ.  KMNDZ and I are also painting a five foot
tall  breast cast  for an event  organized by "Keep a Breast"
foundation.

Ekundayo, thank you so much for taking time to talk to us and we can’t wait to see the new works.

[Ekundayo’s Alteration solo opens this Saturday (5.24) @ SURU on Melrose Ave. from 7 to 10 PM.  If you’re in LA — go check out the art in person and meet the man behind it. ]