Continuing on from the last interview with Minutes after Death with his zine and photography creations, spiritual observations and the like. Today, in an effort to examine Brisbane graffiti from a less expected angle we speak to heavy duty photographer Mik3 Tee who has been taking flicks for (well) over a decade, over two in fact. What observations has he made and changes has he seen in that time? Let's find out! C: First of all, thank you for your time and taking a few moments off in the burgeoning Christmas rush to speak to me. There are a relatively small amount of ‘full time’ graff photographers in Brisbane you’ve been around for a fair while in that group. Given your longevity - as someone who isn’t actually painting. What has driven you to take photos over the long years? M: There are three main reasons that motivate me to get out there to hunt for graff photos. The first one is obsession, as in it just became an obsession early on that the more photos I took the more I wanted to take. Seeing all the different styles, locations just kept it going. It's kind of like a happy place for me to get away from life, hit the streets and find something new. Cekios (201?) Second would be just being in awe of people's creativity. I can't draw for shit so seeing what people are capable of just blows my mind, even after all these years people still manage to find different spots and have different ideas about what graff is to them. In a way I'm lucky because I just see graff for graff, I don't have any beef or anyone I don't like personally so I can just enjoy everyone's work. The third reason and the main one, is to take photos for the history! Back before mobile phones we just had film cameras so you had to hit the lines, go to different places searching for fresh work. Maybe catching up with someone from a different hood to swap some flicks (if anyone is keen on an old school style flick trade hit me up!) We are so lucky now, to always have a phone/camera in our pockets. Bits (2015) Tues (201?) I'd love to see a graff style museum become a thing to showcase Australia's scene. From what I have encountered over the years people come and go, not just writers but people who document flicks too. There are probably a heap of people out there that have photos but for whatever reason have stopped taking and sharing what has been out there. There are probably so many photos lost never to be seen. I know writers do it for themselves and don't care if people don't see their work but people appreciate your passion, sacrifice and creativity. Just don't let it be lost! C: I feel that, I've met a lot of people with flicks on drive or in shoeboxes or in a nebulous somewhere that they haven't checked on in a hot minute. It makes me a bit paranoid we're gonna lose years of history as things get lost, damaged and dusty. Harddrives don’t last forever! So how long have you been into graff and what trends or changes have you seen over that time? Caib (1992/3) M: I probably started to notice graffiti around 1993. I lived in a coal town and my family home backed onto the main line, so coalies used to run past our house. I wouldn't really understand the importance of some of those pieces that run past until a few years later, but once I had a bit of knowledge I'd see Caib, Phal, Hems go past on heaps of coalies at that time (they're still some of my oldest photos in my collection) that's about when I started chasing flicks adventuring to Sydney and taking it all in! The changes I have noticed over the years are probably the same as anyone that is around my age ( mid 40's). Paint shops and equipment exist now. Cans have every colour under the sun, dozens of different caps etc. As everyone knows back in the late 80's and 90's things were a lot less art friendly. Phal (1992/3) Sofles (201?) I guess social media for me is a big one. I have a love-hate relationship with it as it is so good that you can see stuff from all round the country and the world, but there is no mystery anymore! Well, at least 90% of the time. You see a dope piece, everyone else has seen it and then just moves onto the next one. Long gone is the experience of someone saying “have you seen that dope piece on the Bline?” and actually having to catch a train to go and see it for yourself. Sometimes I think that takes away some fun out of the whole thing! Also, probably one of the most annoying thing that has changed is the modern factors: cameras, police, helicopters etc just making everyone's life hard! It's pretty sad that people can get locked up for as long for graffiti as some people killing other people - that's just crazy! In terms of trends I don't really care about that side, I'm just happy to see what people come up with, if I like it I like it and if I don't that's okay! Just do what makes you happy! C: As changes happen over time the past ceases to exist apart from in the memory of those who were there, crazy to think how there was once a land before cameras! Overall, are you seeing more or less graff in the last few years, and what about on trains? Damer (201?) M: Obviously covid played a massive part in graff being lowered, but I think lately it's been pretty good in terms of quantity. Trains seem to be running regularly which is dope, but In terms of what I have personally taken I think 2010-16 were some pretty productive years for the scene. That said, there definitely have been some other years that have been crazy for trains! But in general I would say it has definitely slowed down, people get older, they have families, their wives get sick of the painting etc - the natural progression is to slow down. Obviously there are some exceptions, but I guess sometimes it's hard to keep the passion burning! Okies (201?) Jade (201?) C: Out of the thousands of flicks you take, who do you see around the most, and who do you keep an eye out for? I know for example I love to find old DS, AKM, DTS GBH M: Up the most at the moment.. there are a few, but I won't drop names! If you catch trains on the Bline, Cline and west line you definitely will know who I'm talking about. The shear volume will give it away! I keep an eye out for anyone that has been painting Brisbane from the start to now I guess, I try to include everyone but my main focus is on quality pieces by people that have been painting for a long time now so WTCS, DTS, BWP, DIE, RFW, AKM etc I also will make an effort for visitors to the city as well. I want to document as much as possible, I will try to get everything I can, time permitting of course! C: Have you ever been harassed for taking flicks? M: Yeah, all the time. Chased, abused etc - these days I try to just not be seen, waiting until the right time comes up if possible, but sometimes you just have to go for it A selection of flicks from Mik3 Tees personal collection (2023) C: You have probably noticed the trend away from digital to film for some, a fascinating renaissance and appreciation (and this blows my mind - of older digitals as well!) any thoughts on that? Any chance you might join in? M: As I started with film cameras I like the idea of it though it's a bit hit and miss and sometimes you don't know how the photos will turn out which can make it interesting. For me if I was going to use film I would probably use it just for scene sort of stuff like the lines, tunnels, drains etc. I think for graff flicks the digital age is pretty cool, being able to adjust photos can make a huge difference. You can take them from just average to amazing.. but who knows maybe I will give film a go again! Mik3 Tee - personal collection (2023) BWP TBK (2016) C: Do you feel the modern times of instant gratification for seeing graff on your phone is a positive, or has it cheapened the experience? M: I think it can work both ways. For me the instant gratification is good, because I can see what is fresh around town and helps bring down the time spent searching. Also the artists can spread their work easily with friends, fans and fellow writers. But if I'm being totally honest I would like to see more mystery about it. There is something cool about finding a piece in a weird location that maybe only a couple of people have seen and that hasn't been posted on the net! (Editor's note: Anyone remember the years of ‘Keep it offline! It’s for a mag out soon’?) C: Speaking of around town - how far around the city has hunting graff taken you, and are there any memorable spots that no longer exist? Cekios (2016) M: As far as travelling around Brisbane goes, I have probably gone to most areas. I travel to the Gold Coast, Northern rivers, Coffs Harbour regularly and basically carry a camera 24/7. As for memorable spots there have been a few about 10 years ago. There were a bunch of abandos around different parts of the city, which were all pretty dope! Two stand out to my memory - the fish farm abando that Cekios had absolutely smashed and the abando where Sofles did the limitless video, for Brisbane graff history sake it was pretty cool to get everything that was there! The size of some of those pieces were pretty insane. I would like to find some more spots on the west line and a few more on the northside as they are the areas I don't get to that often Sofles ft. Sofles (2013) Sofles (2013) (Editors note: The Beers Beats and Biz podcast episode 133 available on Spotify talks about this warehouse and the Limitless video at length from around 27 minutes in) C: With regards to cameras, what gear do you use? M: So for the gear I use, all my insta flicks have been taken on whatever phone I had at the time at the moment it's a samsung s22 ultra. It takes pretty nice photos for a phone. I also run with a Canon rp, with a 50mm-100mm lens which takes nice photos very clear with great colours. I use that as much as possible. C: Have you seen the public's perception of graff change over the decade or three that you’ve been taking flicks or - hang on, does that even matter? M: I’m going to answer the second part first. In short no it doesn't matter, but for a few reasons I think it would be nice if at least some of the general public had a better perspective about what graffiti really is. I think with a bit more understanding maybe we wouldn't be locking people up for graffiti. It's crazy to think some people have spent time in jail just for graff and pedos, drunk drivers etc can kill people or forever impact other people's lives forever and they get slapped on the wrist. It doesn't make sense. The other thing I’d like to see would be more people supporting artists with selling artworks, doing jobs for people etc helping them use their creative outputs. Tues (201?) But I personally think there have been some things that have worked against the scene, apart from a couple of events, these street art festivals in general have not helped the graff community when it had the chance. Obviously snarl's November reign is an amazing exception with the way it showcased graffiti!! Take the BSAF for example. It started off with a few graffiti artists. Now it's just street art which isn't graffiti, it just reinforces the public perception that they like portraits, animals, flowers etc but graffiti is just some shit they don't understand. When you actually think about the essence and the trials that graffiti writers go through just to do their thing it's actually amazing what they can achieve. If it was a job people would be hiring these people all day - the passion, hours and achievements that some people have done amaze me! That's why I continue to follow people's work and document photos. So hopefully one day people can embrace and share the passion we’ve known was there all along. C: Do you have any shout outs or final messages you'd like to give? M: To everyone out there doing your thing just keep doing it! Whatever it is that makes you happy, don't waste your time on stupid shit and stupid people. There have been a heap of people that have given me time, shown me stuff and had dope chats, much love to all!! Thanks and hopefully I see you round the traps!! C: Mik3 Tee, thanks for your time! Saikoe (201?)