Two artists, one space and a unified passion to shatter the trappings of conventional thinking – with an eruption of style, intuitive creative expression and an unbridled approach towards modern art. The ‘A’ exhibition sees a new collection of work from revered artists Steve More and Remi/Rough. Embarking on their individual creative journeys as young graffiti writers back in the eighties, the two first meet in the early nineties, establishing a relationship built on respect, artistic collaboration and a shared conviction to go against the mainstream.  Following a seven year hiatus from working together (focusing on individual projects), the two reunited last year after Steve’s return from New Zealand, working on a string of projects as members of the inspired creative collective Agents of Change – through which the seed was planted for 2011’s ‘A’ exhibition. Brainer caught up with the two artists to reflect on the journey that has brought them both to point ‘A’.

When did the idea first manifest that you wanted to do a joint exhibition?

Steve: We always spoke about working together while I was still in New Zealand. I guess nothing really started to develop until we worked on the Agents of Change project at Mews 42 last year, then after doing that the intentions of putting on a joint show began to grow in both our minds. However, with me trying to re-settle and Rem caught up with other projects, it wasn’t until May that we said to ourselves if this is going to happen, we need to start laying down some plans.

Remi: You almost have to think a year in advance with a project like this. Once you say “right we’re gonna do this” you’ll be surprised how quickly 12 months flies by.

What in particular attracted the both of you to house the show at Blackall Studios?

Remi: It’s a great space to show work, we were looking at a lot of different spaces, weighing up different options and I guess we knew the amount of work we wanted to put into the show mentally. And when we saw that space, something clicked.

Steve: Other than the fact that it’s situated in a great location and is quite accessible to people, we also felt that it was quite neutral, polished yet possessing character.

What’s the inspiration behind the name of the show ‘A’?

Steve: We wanted an idea that suggested the beginning of something, ‘A’ being the first letter of the alphabet and it was also the first letter of a few key words that sprang to mind when we were toying with the notion of a joint show. Abstract, alternative, avant-garde, awareness.

Remi: Like Steve said the whole point of ‘A’ is that it’s the beginning, you always start at point A and you get to point B, C or D. We also wanted an icon; ‘A’ is a strong image, beyond being a letter it’s a beautiful image, tri-pinnacle. It wasn’t so much a title as it was a way of thinking in relation to the show.

How and when did you guys first meet and what was the first project you collaborated on?

Remi: We first met in ’92 at a graffiti jam in Livingston, a little town near Edinburgh. Initially I became really good friends with Derm (Agents of Change), who was based up in Scotland. Often he would invite me up to stay and paint walls and he introduced me to Steve, who he used to write with.