Vexta has been creating street art since the mid 2000’s and is best described as one of Melbourne’s true stencil artists whose works which are a cultural commentary of aching beauty. A recent project of hers was the cover art for the recently released Joelistics solo album VOYAGER. The tracks on the album cover a range of issues, from questioning ones creative self to the racism that occurs in today’s society. All stirred through the boom bap of hip hop whilst keenly revisiting beat poetry, shoe gazer electronica and folk to create an album that is both introspective and electrifying. Making Vexta’s psychedelic, neon drenched images, influenced by a personal symbolism a perfect match. Interview by Nicole Tattersall.
How did it come about with you creating the piece for the album cover for VOYAGER by Joelistics?
Joel is a long time friend of mine, He’s like my brother – we shared a house together for many years which also included sharing studio space with both him & TZU. So when he asked me if I would paint something for the cover, of course I was more than happy too. I guess we are like family.
For the VOYAGER cover did you have a brief for the artwork or was the ball in your court where you got to decided what it was going to be?
Well he knows my work pretty well and what I’m into exploring at the moment. Thematically there’s a lot of similarity in ideas we both exploring even though both of our creative output is so different. He told me what he liked and what we was envisioning and it was pretty much exactly what I was planning on doing.
What was your inspiration or your key aim for the piece?
My drive was to create something that represented Joelistics and my idea of him, what he has been doing and the album.
Do you have any advice you would offer to anyone wanting to create artwork for an album cover?
Listen to the album non-stop whilst making the art.
Have you colaborated on any other projects in the past with Joelistics or the hip hop group TZU?
If you listen carefully you can hear my expert double hand claps on a few TZU tracks… haha. I think some backing vocals might be on there too. I always wanted to play tambourine but he’d never let me.
Do you have any near future plans for your work in general?
I’m working on a set of new pieces for a solo show which happening in a few months here in Melbourne, I also have work in a group show in London which opens in June and then I’m heading off on some travels for projects interstate and internationally.