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WK
WK (aka WK Interact) was born in 1969 in Caen, France, and is considered one of the[[1]] street artists. He currently lives and works in New York. Starting at a young age, WK became fascinated by the human body in motion; an infatuation strongly reflected in his work, which often capture figures frozen in a flight of movement. The artist’s technique of twisting an original drawing or photograph while it’s being photocopied results in the monochromatic palette and streamlined moment-in-time appearance of his finished work.
WK site-determines his work by finding an appropriate location first, then his imagery is chosen specifically with a concern for encounters in an urban environment or “interactions” (as the artist indicates in his pseudonym). In the late 1990s his images began appearing on building facades in downtown Manhattan, complimenting the constant stir of bodies in the fast-paced city. By the end of the decade, his unique street art aesthetic was being sought after by galleries around the world.
The innate sense of speed in WK’s figures also appeals to corporations like Nike, Adidas and BMW. Athletes who have collaborated with the artist include Kobe Bryant, Prince Naseem, Boxer and numerous skateboarders, mountain climbers and cyclists. In 2001, WK opened Studio 101, a gallery/retail space on Stanton St. in the lower east side.
More recently, WK collaborated with fellow street artist, Shepard Fairey, in a graffiti face-off. This “East vs. West Propaganda Project” premiered at the Wonder Site Art Center in Tokyo before traveling to Agnès B. Gallery in Paris. The events displayed both artists’ distinct and complimentary styles, while proving that urban art can be as convincing in the gallery as it is in the streets.