Candid Convos II: Shakir Manners

I met Shakir back in 2015 on Instagram. I think we always had an understanding of helping each other get better with our crafts by collaborating. Two years of photos to accompany the Candid Convo Shoot and Audio. I don’t wanna say too much because the images and audio tells the perfect story. Most of the photos were shot on my Canon AE-1 with the following Film Stocks: Kodak: 400 MAX, Ectachrome 64, and 200. Ilford 100, 200, and 400. I also shot some photos on a Canon 650D 35mm.

0:22 “I Just like to draw, some people like to do math and stuff like that. “

0:41 My mother would put us in different programs and events: dance, African dance, Hip Hop cultural events

2:28 “I told him my name is Shakir!”

2:40 “And then I begin to look at more graffiti in my community”

4:58 I started doing volunteer work for galleries and the community.

5:08 “That’s what separated me from the other artist there was only 2 or 3 people doing artistry like me. But I was the only person doing walls! Who was doing Graffiti! and who was doing Murals. And not brushed murals, I’m talking spray-paint Murals!

7:07 I basically pitched a couple of friends of mine, with a their own business and non-profit business to sponsor me. To drive cross country for my own graffiti tour and just to soak up as much knowledge and graffiti as I could”

7:47 I remember the night I put together the presentation.

9:48 Cultivating your Connections

10:36

11:14 “Oh My Burger”

14:42 Their Shit was way better than mine. Their shit was dope as fuck!

16:43 It was hard man, it was real was life or death situations

18:45 I got rid of my car so I can enjoy the weather more

19:56 “You gotta be adventurous bro”

20:52 “If they give you that Opportunity…

Be Humble…

And You Go There With Your Paint…

You Put Your Music On…

You Groove Out…

YOU TRY TO KILL THAT SHIT”