Ahol Sniffs Glue

Miami, FL – March 12, 2015 – Three words: MIAMI FULL TIME. If you’ve ever journeyed through the streets of Miami you’ve probably seen a pair of droopy eyes gazing at you and catching your attention. But these eyes aren’t just any eyes, they are the eyes through which Miami street artist Ahol Sniffs Glue sees the world. Best known for his soaring urban murals reflecting his unique vision of life, labor and unrequited love in the mean streets of Miami, Ahol Sniffs Glue is quickly becoming one of South Florida’s most buzzed about artists. World Red Eye seized the opportunity to spend the afternoon with the man behind these intricate “Biscayne World” characters and walk along the footprints he has left here in the Magic City. What we came to find over the course of the day, is that we couldn’t be more proud to have him rep this town.

Ahol Sniffs Glue

WRE: Tell us what inspired the name “Ahol Sniffs Glue”?

ASG: Ahol was the tag I came up with. I figured it was a cool name. The sniffs glue part of it is a shout out to the Ramones, and the whole punk rock side of graffiti.

WRE: Was making art something you knew you wanted to do at an early age? Or did it just come naturally?

ASG: I never thought I would be where I am currently at now. I have always loved cartoons, as well as random acts of vandalism. I loved wondering how, why, or who was behind it. It was always intriguing to me.

WRE: Tell us about how you got your start in street art?

ASG: A friend of mine named Gonz was the one that got me into the joys of manifesting a name and tastefully vandalizing; over killing with attention to selective placement and caution. His girlfriend at the time, Totals, was into art and I started getting more and more into pursuing unique and clever ways of creating. The mash up of frequency and style development is what led to what some call graffiti, others call street art, and what I call it nonstop creating.

                                                                                                                           American Eagle

WRE: You’ve been in recent headlines since well-known clothing giant, American Eagle, unjustly used your signature eye design for their ad campaign. Tell us a bit about that experience?

ASG: I really can’t get into anything regarding the case other than that we have reached an amicable agreement to settle. The amount of attention is something that is very difficult to deal with. Life is not easy. Even for the ones you think have it the easiest. All I can say is that I am glad it’s over. Holler at my lawyer Andrew Gerber… we don’t play.

WRE: How do you feel about the recognition you have received because of the controversy surrounding the situation?

ASG: It’s not necessarily recognition but rather attention. The more you’re known the more random shit comes your way. I’ve been working really hard on many different levels way before any of this. The only thing that changed is now everyone knows my real name and some know where I live. I just have to be extra on top of my shit. My walls are higher than they’ve ever been.

WRE: With street art, essentially anyone can tag up and deface someone else’s work. How do you feel about this kind of vandalism? Is it something you see often? What forms of vandalism have you and other street artists you know have experienced?

ASG: Theres a code of ethics involved with street stuff. Thankfully and rightfully so, no one touches our work. Our crew (SSK) has been around for quite some time and most people know better than to touch our work.

WRE: What makes it worth it to have your work out in the world as opposed to in a gallery setting where it’s protected from vandalism?

ASG: Painting walls is fun for me, it allows me to be outside, creating on a large scale and leaving something that people can interpret however they like. The gallery is crucial though, the fine art provides the funds to have fun.

Ahol Sniffs Glue

I have always loved cartoons, as well as random acts of vandalism.

Ahol Sniffs Glue

WRE: Tell us about how you’ve seen Miami’s street art scene has evolved throughout the years?

ASG: All I know is my friends and crew are my favorite artists and graffiti writers period. I really do not have time to worry about the scene because what’s going to happen is going to happen. I’ll leave the judging and hating to those on the sidelines. We are solely responsible for maintaining the utmost work ethic and hustle, no one person can save a scene.

WRE: How has the need to remain anonymous changed as a street artist?

ASG: I am no longer anonymous due to certain things that have happened in my life bringing my full name into the mix. If you are in a similar situation as myself, make sure to be smart about what moves you, and make sure to always have your bail money on lock for a rainy day. Be smart!

WRE: Other than obviously being your home, what does Miami mean to you?

ASG: Miami is the best city ever. I been to many different places and I am proud of my culture and the supporters and fan base I have here. I will never, ever turn my back on this town.

WRE: As your popularity grows, what has shaped your decision to remain a Miami resident?

ASG: Miami is special, it’s all I know and I am determined to make my imprint on this world and be remembered as a Miami Based creative. No matter where I visit.

WRE: What is it that you love most about Miami?

ASG: I love everything about Miami. I love being Cuban American and I love my culture so much. My brother and I are our families first generation born here and it really means a lot to us. Miami is full of opportunities and gives enough room to make opportunities for yourself.  The weather is amazing and I honestly will be a proud Miamian forever. Everything about Miami is far superior than any other city I have visited. This is the truth and dedication I have for this town.

Ahol Sniffs Glue

WRE: Tell us about the now famous “eye” design, how did you come up with it? What does this eye mean/symbolize to you?

ASG: The eye is derivative of the characters I create. They are an unmistakable symbol that can communicate without language. I originally would draw characters and was all about line work. Color was not too important to me. The closeness of the lines harmoniously flowing and the nodded, stoned worn out drowsiness of the eyes tell a story of hard work, hustle and never sleeping. Everything or almost every living thing has eyes. I attribute the eyes popularity to the way people can relate to versions of symbols the can recognize. You are looking at my eyes with your eyes. The eyes on the characters are never ever perfect, they are humanly far from perfect. The eyes alone or as a pattern are more of a perfect circle to symbolize a type fontish approach. The same way a tag or signature is the simplest rawest part of a piece. The eye is the broken down simplest version of my characters. This is my stamp, seal, representation of the universe. Inspired by living beings – forever hustling, grinding and moving forward despite anything life throws it’s ways. We are living to die, make every second count!

WRE: How do you go about approaching a new mural project? Do you usually have a specific idea in mind going into it or do you let it evolve naturally?

ASG: Every project is different. It really varies on the wall, the client, and the location. A paying client usually has a vision or direction, at the very least a color scheme. Illegal or legal walls are different as well. Sometimes it’s just what colors you have lying around or whom you are painting with. The stuff that happens naturally is by far the most enjoyable for me and whatever happens, happens.

“EYE95 of my favorite murals. It is the one facing I-95 on the Margulies Warehouse wall. This wall was one of the first murals in Wynwood done some 10 years ago and is still hanging on. This wall has opened so many doors because of its location and longevity. The Margulies Family is very crucial to the art world and I am very thankful they have kept that wall running. It’s had its better days and looks very old and beat up, but it was a chance for all of our crew (SSK) to paint on a large scale and have supreme visibility from cars going northbound on I-95.” – Ahol Sniffs Glue

WRE: Where does the inspiration for your characters in Biscayne World come from?

ASG: Biscayne World is a direct representation of the variety and wildness that flows up and down Biscayne Blvd. It started as drawings I would crank out of my cubicle while I was working. I would find interesting people on the bus and try to give myself subject matter to draw so it could help me get through the day. At the end of each workday I would need to have at least one drawing done. It got a little carried away, and soon enough I started pasting the characters onto pictures I would take from the bus. Ultimately, thanks to Borscht, we got a grant to make a cartoon documentary of my weird interactions and with the help of friends Michael Arcos and Marnie Ellen. We made it a reality and are showing the movie in different places including New Orleans, Colorado, Glasgow, and more.

Ahol Sniffs Glue

“This wall is very special as well because it was totally improvised using nothing but scraps. We knocked it out in two days and the vibe was amazing. I love collaborating with special people and this wall had the right formula. Mega love and respect to Ras Terms, Santiago Rubino, and Sinse – who all put down on that wall.” – Ahol Sniffs Glue

I am proud of my culture, as well as the supporters and fan base I have here in Miami. I will never, ever turn my back on this town.

Ahol Sniffs Glue

“This wall was a collaboration I did with POSHGOD. There’s no name.” – Ahol Sniffs Glue

Ahol Sniffs Glue

WRE: When you’re not creating art, what can we find you doing?

ASG: I am always creating. I have made it a point to engulf my life with nonstop creative flows. Weather is snapping pictures and chopping them up on my cellphone, or making art to keep the gallery busy, my brain needs to stay sharp and ready. Conceptualizing and thinking retarded is a must. Never stop, never be satisfied and stay busy. I make sure to keep the production high and the excuses low.

“This wall is special to me because I was run over by a car on that same corner a year or two back and they never caught the lady. The first part of the wall was done with my friend FREEBASE aka POSHGOD from METRO ZU, who are amazing talented artists putting down for Miami as well. The other part of the wall was a big huge ratchet party limo done by myself, DISEM, and Don Rimx. These guys are awesome and the vibe once again was like no other. When it’s right, it’s right and I’m glad the community is feeling it.” – Ahol Sniffs Glue

Ahol Sniffs Glue

WRE: These “Biscayne World” characters are pretty great, appearing in a lot of your pictures. How are you creating them?

ASG: I draw the characters on paper and since I don’t have a scanner I simply upload a picture of the drawing onto my phone and add them in through an app. It’s really not that complicated,  I just got really good at using a crappy photoshopish type app. I usually refer to them as photo chops. Just another way of working with what you got and staying busy with the cellphone.

“Biscayne World Teaser Miami Florida”