RJ Williams aka ‘A Nameless Force’ (previously ‘The Massive’) is an Australian artist, designer and vandal well known in the Australian scene thanks to his eye catching graphics and ability to get his art up all over Sydney, Australia and even the Globe. Indeed, there is something magical about RJ’s work – all symbols and bright colours. As if all his art is just part of a never ending spell or sigil. To what end – only RJ knows.
(Photo below of RJ’s huge tag done by the famous Hollywood sign – check top left of photo)
Born in 1980 RJ grew up on hip hop, toys, body-boarding and surfing – activities that continue to influence his art today.
And currently? With RJ having recently re-branded to ‘A Nameless Force’ and pushing his art hard all round the globe – now is the perfect time to get to know the man and his art by reading the Art Talk Interview, below…
Basics/Getting to Know
Name + D.O.B?
RJ
1980
(A recent photo of RJ below)
City, State n Country you currently call home?
Sydney City.
City, State n Country you’re from?
Sydney City.
(Some art by RJ below)
Describe a memory from some stages of your life ….basically trying to piece together pivotal moments. Concerts, art, action-figures, romance, school, politics, crime… ANYTHING really!
This bit’s hard…
Art + Graffiti Questions
Why the name ‘A Nameless Force’ + ‘The Massive’?
I was in Los Angeles with John from Bliss n Eso when we first caught the instagram buzz. My handle is from the intro to one of their songs; ‘The Dark Tower’.
The Massive stuff comes from my old snowboard crew, everyone in the crew put those stickers all over the world, some guys got tattoos, and I started painting it.
Favorite artists/writers and why?
Way too many to list, way way too many.
Everyone who’s ever painted is important.
(Photo of RJ with some heavy hitters below)
Worst aspect of the art hustle?
Sunburn, ladder legs. Police, snakes.
Best aspect of the art hustle?
Making stuff.
Seeing something go from just a thought or an idea into a physical tangible product that can be shared with and experienced by everyone else.
When and why did you first start making art?
When I was tiny all I’d do is draw.
So little and so long ago that I can’t remember.
Any pivotal artistic moment/influence?
Hip Hop changed everything.
Being born in 1980 I landed on planet earth mid movement.
(Some photos below showing the evolution of RJ over the years)
What are your thoughts on the Australian graff scene today?
I’m not active enough at the moment to have a relevant comment, but I love it.
Do you consider what you are making to be art, design, vandalism, re-hashed-crap…?
All of those things.
I like the lines being somewhat blurry, there’s a narrative within my work that stretches over a decade as I’ve explored different ideas.
I like to think of my body of work as having a life of its own, we are connected through it’s initial creation but it operates completely outside of me and who I am.
Describe the method and materials used for your work?
* your graffiti and murals?
House paint, preferably fancy stuff like Resene but in reality usually Spring form Bunnings, mtn hardcore, Ironlak or Loop, whichever I can get my hands on first.
* your drawings and illustrations?
Pencil, eraser, knife, 0.04 Artline, 0.7 Artline.
* your sculpts?
Monster Clay. Isopropyl myristate. Silicon, plaster or resin.
(A mural by RJ painted at the iconic Bondi Beach below)
What does an average day making art involve for you?
Hmmn tough one. I’m like a bing artist, won’t make anything for a month, then I won’t stop for weeks, so there’s no real average day, it’s either manic ‘let’s do this crazy thing right now’ or it’s pretty chill.
How, in your opinion, has the rise of platforms such as Instagram impacted the life of a graff writer, and the scene in general?
You can see what the rest of the world is doing basically in real time it’s pretty cool.
No waiting for a shitty VHS or a magazine that’s months old full of pictures that are months older again….
People get called out too, hard, look at H&M.
Odds n Ends
Who was your 1st crush and why?
There was a girl in preschool who wore real diamonds I thought she was pretty dope.
Does sex change everything?
It can. It can mean nothing.
It can get you in a world of trouble, it can make all your troubles go away.
It can be a weakness, it can be a weapon.
(A neon light by RJ below)
Please describe what you think the Australian psyche / zeitgeist is today?
I don’t know how to answer that efficiently.
Which cartoon character, would you most like to see in a tribute sex toy, and why?
Gotta be spongebob right ?
Wouldn’t mind doing an artist series version of the ‘satisfier pro’, I heard the ladies are going crazy for those things rn.
Who would win in a fight and why: Ned Kelly Vs. a gang of rowdy Koalas?
Hmmn I’ll get back to you on that one.
Drugs – waste of time or gateway to the universe?
Both.
They’re a waste of money too.
(Some products released by RJ below)
What role did toys play in your childhood?
M.A.S.K, Voltron, he-man, tmnt. Lego.
Crazy imaginary worlds for years.
What are the top 3 items you own?
Basquiat Reeboks, Matt Tracker’s Flying Car, All 4 ninja turtles new in box.
Please describe your latest dream in detail…
I was the great Gatsby.
Building a beautiful elaborate world for people who didn’t give a fuck it was quite depressing.
Of everything you have done what would you most like to be remembered for and why?
God, I’d just hope I made a few people happy along the way.
If people wanted to collaborate, work with you or just buy some art – how should they get in touch?
There’s a contact page on my website:
www.anamelessforce.com
The Future
Any collaborations on the horizon?
Nothing I can confirm, but I’m always talking with new people, tbh I don’t know I’m working with someone until I see the money….
Any major projects you want to hype?
Check out the car I painted for mighty car mods here, this is a clip they made for EA sports and need for speed…
https://youtu.be/K7ZAzLjnqa0
Links
- A Nameless Force – Website
- A Nameless Force – Online Store
- A Nameless Force – Instagram
