Jarrod Lawson: Muay Thai Fighter and Graffiti Artist

1 Nov

Jarrod Lawson is our member and a graffiti artist. He is passionate about both of his hobbies, and he sees many similarities between them.

How did you first get into art?

When I was a teenager, I was inspired by watching anime and cartoons like Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, and Digimon. Then, I started listening to the Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, and Nas, and I got into graffiti. Like breakdancing, MCing, and DJing, graffiti is a big part of hip hop culture. My cousins used to draw graffiti letters in the garage while listening to hip hop, and we would tag motorways and alleyways.

While I'm inspired by the graffiti on the streets, I prefer confined places where I can take my time, so I started to practice on my school books and then later on abandoned buildings.

What do you think about tagging on buildings?

The graffiti scene is a community, and some people want to leave a legacy by being prolific. Others use it as an outlet and a form of rebellion against the system. I don't think it's a good idea to tag people's businesses, though. I'm all about development and communication. I like to work with businesses about what we can do to incorporate art into a look that represents them. Putting a mural on a wall can actually stop people from tagging it. Because we're a community, it would be disrespectful to graffiti over another piece of art. Plus, nowadays with social media, it would be easy to contact the person responsible.

How do you describe your style of art?

Colourful! I'd also like to motivate and inspire people, and put a smile on their face when they see it. I've done artwork for barbershops, gyms, and community walls in Avondale and East Auckland. I'm happy to work with any business, even if it's something that I'm not familiar with. Even if they aren't into graffiti, I can work with styles which have an element of graffiti but aren't quite graffiti.

Are there any similarities between Muay Thai and graffiti?

Definitely! Muay Thai is a martial art after all. Freestyling on the bag or shadow boxing is similar to freestyling when painting on a wall. You need to find rhythm and flow within yourself, so they both complement each other. Since starting Muay Thai last year, it has made me more focused on routine and lifestyle. I've cut down on drinking, stopped vaping, and focused more on my physical and mental state. When I'm healthy, it makes me enjoy and want to paint more, and my work also looks cleaner.

Tell us about the work that you did for JAI.

To me, Thai culture is a huge part of Muay Thai, which is why I incorporated temples and Buddha into the design. I'd like anyone who walks into JAI to feel like they are in Thailand!