For the past five years,UP Magazinehas been spotlighting global urban culture.
This makes it a unique offering among the sea of art publications.
We had the opportunity to sit down with UP Magazine’s founder and editor-in-chief T.K.
Mills to find out more about the publication.
Read on for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.
Mills and UP Magazine team
Where does your interest in street art and graffiti come from?
T.K. Mills and UP Magazine team
I dedicated the rest of my time in Havana to tracking down and writing about the artist.
I pitched the story to a few publications, and it was picked up by Global Street Art.
Having my first article outside of an academic context published was incredibly uplifting.
From then on, I shifted my career toward art journalism.
Where did the idea for UP stem from?
While discussing the matter with a mentor of mine, he recommended I start my own magazine.
Vanessa Kreytak
Together, we brainstormed different ideas that would shape the direction of the magazine.
Eventually, we had enough content for our first issue.
It was important for us to do print, to make the magazine feel legitimate.
We launched on June 20, 2019 with Issue 1: Money.
Vanessa Kreytak
What distinguishes UP from other sites and magazine that cover street art and graffiti?
Another important element that sets UP apart from other publications is our involvement in the art community.
Enzo
Over the past 10 years, street art has exploded into something fairly mainstream.
How do you view this evolution?
In my view, the evolution of street art is undoubtably tied to the rise in social media.
MenaceResa
On the whole, Im glad street art has gained mainstream attention.
Enzo
What artists on the scene are you currently excited about?
There are a few artists Id like to highlight who I think are deserving of recognition.
Enzois a French artist from the Southwestern city of Tarbes.
We first met a few years ago back when we were both in the early stages of our career.
His neon-portraits stand out as original and fresh in a world that is known for its color.
Vanessa Kreytakis an incredible multi-faceted painter; a muralist, nail-artist, and canvas creator.
We first met in 2018 through the art community, and began dating shortly before the pandemic.
Even before we were together, I admired her creative spirit and ingenuity.
She works quickly, knocking out murals in a day that would take other artists a week.
Her quick-hand also won her the championship title in the NYC Art League last year.
His work takes influence from Russian propaganda and 50s travel posters, with satirical elements mixed in.
Beyond being a talented artist, hes recently taken to curating, and put on some amazing shows.
Lili Rochelleis an artist I met only recently, and since then weve collaborated on several shows.
Her work takes heavy inspiration from nature and earthy elements, often depicting female figures.
MenaceResaare an artist couple and perhaps the most creative duo Ive ever met.
Hailing from New York, during the pandemic they refurbished a bus into a mobile home.
Its always a challenge to build an audience, particularly in todays landscape where there are infinite options.
What can people do to support UP and its work?
I guarantee our books will liven up your home.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Im always working on new projects, and eager to get things going and growing.
This year were looking to expand our video coverage and Im excited for the potential.
