INTERVIEW WITH INKIE
Banksy X INKIE at St. Paul’s Bristol 1999
ARCHIVAL VOICES: INKIE ON BARTON HILL, BANKSY & THE BIRTH OF STREET ART
In a rare, illustrated interview conducted in Amsterdam, legendary UK street artist Inkie opens the archives on pivotal moments from the 1990s to the present. From formative years painting alongside Banksy, Lowkey, and Mode 2, to mural collaborations across Bristol, Glastonbury, and Amsterdam, Inkie reflects on his unique journey through the ever-evolving world of graffiti and street art. A key figure in shaping the British street art scene, his stories capture the raw energy and underground spirit that eventually transformed into a global movement.
Barton Hill Youth Club, Circa 1996
Very early Banksy Bull Dog piece at the Barton Hill Youth Club
One of the earliest memories revisited is a piece from the iconic Barton Hill Youth Club in Bristol. A standout motif—a bulldog—was chosen, possibly inspired by local iconography, though Inkie muses that “it may have relevance to the fact that John National always wore a Bulldog Amsterdam sweatshirt.”
Asked whether Banksy left his mark in Amsterdam during that era, Inkie notes, “I’m not sure he did any.” These were formative years, when local clubs like Barton Hill incubated the creative language of a new art form.
Sketches with Banksy & Lowkey – Origins in Bristol
Scetch by Banksy, Inkie & Lowkey(Nach)
The sketch in question, likely created at the Bell Pub off Jamaica Street in Bristol, marks the early synergy between Inkie, Banksy, and Lowkey. “We did several walls together around this period,” Inkie recalls. “I usually did the wildstyle letters. Banksy handled the main characters, and Lowkey added all the details.”
Although the piece was never fully realised, the collaborative dynamic shaped many influential walls that followed.
‘Stealth’ – Glastonbury Festival Truck, 1997
Truck painted by Banksy, Inkie and Lowkey(Nach) at Glastonbury Festival
Banksy painting
The now-iconic ‘Stealth’ piece on a festival truck was a seminal collaboration between Inkie, Banksy, and Lowkey. However, recognition wasn’t evenly distributed. “It was only credited as being by me and Banksy,” Inkie shares. “They left Lowkey out, even though they were informed of his involvement.”
Glastonbury was not their only mobile canvas. “Banksy painted a few for Turbo Nana Circus in Spain, and Mode 2 joined us for another at Glastonbury.”
‘Take the Money and Run’ – 1997, Bristol
Take the money and run mural by Banksy, Inkie & Mode2
Working with legendary graffiti pioneer Mode 2 was a career milestone. “It was an honour,” Inkie says. “We met in Paris in the late ’80s with Jon 156 and Meo. For this collaboration, we spent an afternoon in the pub sketching, then painted later that day.”
While this work was executed freehand, it precedes Banksy’s full transition to stenciling—showcasing his raw, early style. Although Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman was not involved in this particular mural, he later joined the See No Evil project in 2011.
‘Walls of Fire’ – A Monumental UK Graffiti Event
Walls on Fire, murals by Banksy and Inkie
‘Walls of Fire’ remains one of the largest graffiti events ever staged in the UK, covering over a kilometre of hoardings. Organised by Inkie and Banksy, the event featured prominent UK crews including TCF, DBZ, and FSH.
With DJs and breakdancers from New York City complementing the live painting, the event became a benchmark in UK graffiti history. “I got drunk and had to finish my piece the next day,” Inkie laughs “pretty standard at the time.”
One standout memory? Banksy’s tribute piece reading ASTEK, a nod to a legendary London writer who was incarcerated during the event.
Amsterdam 1997 – Graffiti Across Borders
Inkie at Henxs paintshop, Waterlooplein Amsterdam in 1988
Inkie’s connection to Amsterdam dates back to the late ‘90s, when he and fellow artist Nick Walker would stay in Purmerend and paint daily. “We linked up with Gets & Maty from the DCL crew. I’m still in touch with them today.”
Over the years, Inkie connected with an array of local talents: Shoe, Mr. June, Rhone, DHM, Yalt, Karski, Chinny Bond, Adele Renault, and many others. Collaborations extended to GO Gallery, Amsterdam Street Art,Vroom & Varossieau and STRAAT Museum.
“Amsterdam has always felt like a home away from home,” he says.
Remembering Rhone – A Tribute to a Friend
One of the most emotional points of the conversation touches on the late Amsterdam writer Rhone (Michael). “He was a great friend. We often met up in London and Amsterdam, sharing a passion for lettering.”
Inkie reveals plans to honour Rhone with a special memorial wall in Amsterdam, painted together with old friends.
From Bristol to Celebrity Circles
Inkie’s early life intertwined with major players in the street art world. He studied with Steve Lazarides, who would go on to manage Banksy and run the influential Lazinc Gallery. “I introduced him to Banksy’s work,” Inkie recalls. “Later, I connected Steve to people like Sean Pertwee, Jonny Lee Miller, and Jude Law—who all started collecting.”
Seeing friends move from underground anonymity to global acclaim was “mind-blowing,” he reflects. “It’s still surreal to think that someone you painted alongside is spoken of in the same breath as Warhol or Picasso.”
Selected Exhibitions & Highlights
3 Kings Exhibition, Vroom & Varossieau – With Shoe & Blade
Secret Walls x Milkweg Cannabis Cup – With TLP & Redman
GO Gallery Group Shows
Vrij Paleis – Amsterdam Group Show
Kings Day NDSM – Outdoor Paint Festival
ADE – Live paint for DMC
Follow Inkie:
📷 Instagram: @inkiegraffiti
🌐 Website: www.inkie.co.uk
Disco, Inkie & Banksy
Stealth piece on truck in Glastonbury by Banksy, Inkie & Lowkey
Police internal report about raid in Bristol
Bristol subways 1988
Inkie X Banksy stage Glastonbury 1997
