Rocko, a Moroccan-born artist, has made a name for himself in the New York City art scene with his unique calligraffiti style. His work, a captivating fusion of traditional Arabic calligraphy and modern Western graffiti techniques, adorns legal walls throughout the city. This article delves into Rocko’s artistic journey, influences, and perspectives.
Rocko’s Graffiti Origins and NYC Evolution
Rocko’s graffiti journey began in Meknès, Morocco, in 1997. As a pioneer in the Moroccan graffiti scene and a member of the influential hip-hop crew H-Kayne (formerly Dogs), Rocko’s artistic roots run deep. While he embraced bombing in his early years, his work in NYC is strictly confined to legal spaces due to the higher risks associated with illegal graffiti.
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His first NYC piece, created for the Pita Palace in Bushwick three years prior to this interview, marked the beginning of his American journey. He thrives on interacting with passersby as he paints, preferring smooth surfaces and unobstructed visibility for his brush-based artwork.
Calligraffiti: A Fusion of Cultures
Rocko’s distinctive calligraffiti style has garnered widespread acclaim. The blend of Arabic script and Western graffiti elements resonates with audiences, leading to numerous requests for custom tattoo designs incorporating his unique aesthetic. His family fully supports his artistic endeavors.
While art occupies approximately 40% of his day, Rocko balances his creative pursuits with a role as a director of a senior center in Bushwick. Cycling is another passion, and he races for the Brooklyn Arches.
Rocko’s Artistic Philosophy and Influences
Rocko sees a blurring of lines between graffiti and street art, anticipating a lessening divide in the future. He embraces the movement of these art forms into galleries, viewing it as a shift in context rather than a compromise of principles. He avoids involvement with the corporate world, preferring to maintain the integrity of his art.
Although often working solo, Rocko has collaborated with artists like Zimer, Eelco, and N Carlos J. He expresses admiration for Sek3’s work and a desire for future collaboration. While comparisons to Retna arise due to stylistic similarities, Rocko emphasizes the deep cultural significance of Arabic calligraphy in his work, a practice he’s honed since the age of four.
The Future of Rocko and Street Art
Rocko believes the internet plays a crucial role in the art scene, expanding horizons and fostering connections. Self-taught and inspired by the world around him, he describes his ideal working environment as solitude in his studio, though he finds painting public walls more engaging.
He emphasizes the artist’s responsibility to enhance the community respectfully. He values the contributions of photographers and bloggers in documenting and disseminating street art, seeing a bright future for the ever-evolving art form. Rocko’s future plans include more murals, collaborations, exhibits, and continued curation of the Dodworth Mural Project.
