Meet Shiro 1 | International Graffiti Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shiro 1 and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shiro, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I feel happy when I create something cool from Zero or piece of crap. I feel happy when I finish big project like murals and see it in the front of it.
I feel happy when I meet new cultures and people who have beautiful souls in multiple countries through my art.
I feel happy when I wake up in my bed in my tiny apartment in NYC.
I feel happy when I see many different life styles and I realize I have so much.
I’m basically happy in the life

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started painting Graffiti art in 1998. I watched the movie “Wild style” (Which was released 1983) in 2000, and I came to NYC to continue graffiti art. I have been painting since I was a little girl. My right side of year is completely deaf and my family had to move smay times due to my father’s work. I was always new in my schools and had difficulties to make new friends, This made me to draw my own character “Mimi”. Mimi shows a lot in my art. I liked dancing before I do graffiti and this connected me to HipHop/Reggae music. This connected me to Graffiti.

Since I started to move to NYC in 2002 till now, I think my life was dramatic but i just came with flow.
I actually didn’t make any plan to come here but I am here. Now I have myUS Artist Green Card under my title as “Graffiti Artist”. I’m a official Graffiti Artist recognized by US government.

I think everything I have including my nationality, skin/hair/eye color, my accent, my hearing disability, my childhood experience and experience from my former job as Nurse made me “Shiro1”.

I feel rewarding when I was able to encourage other people through art.
Like when I made an official logo for the International female HipHop Summit, or when I make mural for events about human rights. Because I can show my power/ability as mynority positive way and share it with people..
I also run a HipHop fashion brand with Legendary B-girl Rokafella from NYC Bronx. I’m hoping to make our brand to thr uniform for female Hiphop artist/player to share our strength..

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in NYC. There are so many places to check. Many restaurant, bars, museums, clubs.. so much
There are also many art related event or party, I invite them to hang out.
I can make a tour for NYC street art too. because there are cool places which have a lot of street arts like Bushwick Brooklyn or LES in Manhattan.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom All the people who created Graffiti/HipHop culture.
My Graffiti mentor Part TDS
Movie “Wild Style”. Especially Lady Pink who is acting the heroin in this movie.
All my friends who support me when I make my art.

Website: shiro1.com

Instagram: @shiro_one @shiroka_nyc

Twitter: @shiro_one

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShiroBJ46

Image Credits
All photos copyrights by me