Many fashion brands on the scene these days claim to be making “wearable art,” but in the case of the NYC label, Skrapper, this tag takes on added meaning and importance. This art-heavy t-shirt line is based on the paintings of celebrated artist William Quigley and the photography of the talented Katie Theophilos. Even hearing how Quigley discovered his painting craft, it’s obvious he takes artistry and skill very seriously.
“My first painting was a Christmas gift to my mother of Raphael’s Madonna of the Chair,” Quigley begins. “When I finally went to college, and then Rome, I was convinced after seeing Carravaggio and Michelangelo that I had to try painting. I love oil paint, the smell, the possibilities, and the idea that it takes time and is hard to master. I remember how frustrating it was in the beginning. Now I see a painting almost before it is done, but it always turns out being different. The subconscious has to be alive through the experimentation and manipulation and surprise of the brush.”
After Quigley finally mastered his craft, he developed an inclination to drawing athletes – specifically boxers, baseball and basketball players. “I think it’s funny when people think I only paint sports figures,” he ponders. “I love sports, but the metaphor of the competition in sports is similar to painting. If you are a boxer and you are not prepared intellectually, spiritually, and physically to get in the ring, chances are you will be beaten and humiliated. Humiliation is worse than being beaten. I used the boxers and their abilities to bounce back and fight again, mostly because they had to eat, as a catalyst for starting Skrapper.”
Which brings us back to the origins of the special t-shirt brand … In 1999 or thereabouts, Quigley and pal, Pete Francis (of the rock group Dispatch) started playing with the word as a cool name for a brand, music label or even a university. Fast forward to 2008, and Quigley meets photographer Katie who originally signed on to shoot digitals some of his paintings. They instead form a creative union, go on to a build a formidable Skrapper team and the rest is history.
The big unveiling of the brand to the world at large happens on September 15th 2009 at the Red Bull Space in downtown NYC, and the heavily-loaded invite list consists of celebs, fellow artists, former and current clients, as well as a long list of loyal friends from the art world and beyond.
“Skrapper has snowballed from a startup idea into something I am trying to keep humble and visually accessible,” Quigley says. “We’ve worked so hard into developing this into something real and we don’t want to get caught up in the hype. We want to stay focused on our intent. I remember how my stomach felt when I wanted to paint and how I’d attack the canvas with such fervor, and reckless abandon. The passion to make something is always so strong, and hopefully people respond to that mark we are trying to make.”
To be part of the Skrapper experience, head to the Red Bull Space on 40 Thompson Street in Soho, NYC and witness a combustive new movement in art and fashion.
Words by Geo Hagan, Photos by The Skrapper Team
