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Mike Manzoori
strength,
88
Tholdan tight!"
I STUDIED "ART" IN DIFFERENT FORMS for four years at various pre-university college lev-
els, and I am the first to admit that I am not qualified in any way to say what art is or what it
should be. However, I will say I believe that art, through whatever medium you choose, is the
most accessible activity to exercise the mind. Just because you may be an accountant, a cop,
a cook, a bum, a skater, or whatever, that doesn't mean you are detached from an activity
that can satisfy you personally on any level. The meanings of the word "art" are as broad
as your horizons, and maybe if it were translated to the word "expression," then its flexible
channels would be easier to understand. Consider for a moment, how many forms the word
art can take. There are the obvious, like paintings, sculpture, books, plays, photography, film,
music, etc, but I prefer to keep the boundaries down. I mean, it's pretty obvious that if you
dedicate years of your life to any one of the above, then there is usually no argument that
you would be far more qualified on the subject. However, that principle shouldn't deny or
deter anyone from dabbling in any form of expression. I have admired, in total awe, the work
of people who failed art at school, never touched the subject for years and simply decided
to try and enjoy the fulfillment of expression. The whole pretentious pedestal people place
themselves on when they claim to be "an artist" is to me the complete opposite of what they
claim to stand for. You may look at the images on these pages
and say, "This shit sucks!" Or you may think, "Woah, that's sick!"
You may not even care either way. Neither do I. I just wish that it
were more common in society for anyone anywhere to enjoy
expressing themselves in any way without restraint. Luckily, I
have spent over a decade involved in skateboarding, which
through the nature of this lifestyle/sport has brought me into
contact with a lot of very creative people-an overall experience
which I am ever grateful for.
-Mike Manzoori
CANVAS
Opposite left: "Kip
Sumpter." This piece
shares the same title
and owner. I did it for
a very good friend of
mine. I suppose it's a
celebration of friend-
ship, because I believe
that two people con
share platonic passions,
emotions, respect, laughter and honesty, and in doing so
create a spiritual bond stranger than any other force I know.
Opposite right, top and bottom: "The Project." These two paintings
are the result of an experiment between me and Nathan Murphy, an
artist from London who I grew up with. We each spent two hours on
one piece separate from each other. Then when we felt the urge,
we would set up for another two-hour session, but on each other's
piece. Neither of us were allowed to look at what the other had
done until one was ready to paint, hopefully bringing the element of
improvisation into it. Our goals were to see the other's interpretation
from the last session, which was often very contrary and enlighten-
ing, and eventually see what we were left with. When you evaluate
composition, subject, color, etc, they don't have much going for
them. But that was far from the point of this piece or any other I do.
Far right, top and bottom: These are two deck graphics I did last
year for ATM Click. I included these to show another side of the
expressive work I do. In this case it really is work, as in a job, but
I try to combine this with the freedom that personal work carries.
Above: "Untitled." a fun little three-way bridge between a self-por-
trait, spontaneous expression, and the resourceful beauty of collage.
Right: "A Fruity Self-Portrait." Pencil and paper, 1992.
I hope you don't
waiste
LONDON
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