The $tatusFaction

Next time you’re in line at the bank behind a guy in a rad suit, or sitting next to a hot dame at Cactus Carwash, or giving the finger to some bozo in a Ford Escort, pontificate on the fact that any one of these folks could be part of a collective filling your community with beautiful art work.

The $tatusFaction operate under the guise of total anonymity, a movement of LA and ATL-based artists who function as a single entity to provide commentary on social imperfections through their black and white wheat-paste prints, traditional graffiti and sculpture.

Courtney Hammond/Dashboard: Who or what is The $tatus Faction?

The $tatus Faction: In short, we are a multi-dimensional collective composed of anonymous, creative individuals. We are assorted artists, activists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, DJ’s and more, all working together. We all wasted time complaining about what we could do different to combat complacency. Eventually, we stopped talking and started doing. T$F set out with a grassroots course of action to evolve our own habitat.

Dash:  Where can people find your work?

T$F:  We are in the streets, often in modern street art and traditional graffiti. We are also present in respected galleries, live events and community affairs. Geographically, our art can be seen in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Dash: How does the art landscape between L.A. and Atlanta differ?

T$F: On the streets of L.A. art and graffiti have a short shelf life. Between the buff and the beef it is much more challenging to leave your mark. The law certainly helps dictate this too; strict punishments in California result in extended prison time.

In Atlanta, we have heard of vandals being arrested 5+ times and set free. This would not be possible in Los Angeles. Do not forget California’s “three strikes ” law, which means ANY three felonies equals life in prison. In Atlanta, there seems to be a lack of vandal-squad and city cleaning, which isn’t a bad thing for us. Graffiti seems to ride forever in Atlanta. Writers cherish the history and hometown heroes; old graffiti is practically preserved! In L.A., anything goes. People excavate walls to steal famous stencils. They cap legends with trash, and some writers specifically target city-commissioned murals.

As Atlanta grows in population and urbanization, so will its diversity and contribution to art. We do not see as much street art or ingenuity respected in Atlanta - AS OF YET. The people who relentlessly work in Atlanta hold it down, we are inspired by their enthusiasm and dedication. In Atlanta, we can push the limit and processes to execute that which is logistically improbable in L.A. However, because Angelinos are more attuned to our concepts, we are faster to receive the proper reaction in Los Angeles. In Atlanta, we are both patient and proactive.

Fortunately we travel between Atlanta and Los Angeles to get the best of both worlds. We are grateful to be part of both communities.

Dash: How do you consider your work in the street— art, advertising or vandalism?

T$F: All of the above. We consider it “artistic vandalism” with a lean more towards the vandal side.

Dash: How do you conceptualize your images?

T$F: Our content stems from the reflection of our opinions and feelings in the moment, the age old cliché “Art Imitates Life.” Occasionally, we focus on topical issues and strike while the iron is hot. Whether it’s an obnoxious trend, a contention with pop-culture or an affecting political climate, if we feel the need to chime in, we will.

Dash: Is everything a group effort or is it a free for all?

T$F: Ordinarily we contribute according to individual strengths. We think-tank with an open dialogue. We have no set rules or structure. Just do it well and make it $tatus.