In 2016 strange Jawa stencils began appearing around Aberdeen (the small recycling dudes from Star Wars), located on skate ramps and even making an appearance on the Painted Doors Christmas stand. But who was responsible for these stencils and why a Jawa?
During the first Nuart Aberdeen I met the man under the cloak as we worked together on numerous productions during the festival and assisted some of the artists during their stay. Calling himself Abz Jawa, his mission is quite a simple one, placing stencils and mosaics on the streets based on his favourite star wars characters and other famous pop culture icons. Jawa's, Imperial Guards, X Wings and Boba Fett have all made an appearance in the last year with Jawa switching between stencils and 8 bit inspired mosaics. The switch to mosaics came about after assisting tile artist Carrie Reichardt and discovering a more therapeutic approach to making art.
Even in Aberdeen's slightly friendlier street art climate, the chances of getting busted with spray cans and stencils is still higher than installing a mini mosaic or it at least feels a bit safer. Abz Jawa also spoke about the relaxing nature of creating his designs at his home studio, piecing the tiles together and securing them ready for adding to the streets. I joined him on a mission last year where he installed a few new pieces on the East Green and then saw the joy and delight of the crowds as we led them past on the Nuart tours. Kids and adults alike stopped and pointed as a mini green Yoda looks down at them and for me, showing the power of public art works.
For his latest piece he went bigger and bolder with an entire set of Super Mario Kart characters. With the perfect spot in mind, I set off with Abz Jawa from the studio to get some shots of him installing the pieces. Over the course of an hour he slowly laid out each one, checking the position and trying to create a mini version of the Nintendo game but one that plays out on the spiral gangway of the West North Street car park. Armed with his glue gun, each character was stuck in place, ready to be discovered by the car park occupants as they return to their vehicles. Indeed some people stopped to chat as he installed the pieces with one group of youths being particularly interested in why he was doing it.
For me it challenges any preconceived ideas about what art is or isn't and who can make it. The internet is littered with thousands of 8 bit art works and you only have to look to Eboy & Invader for inspiration. But Abz Jawa is unconcerned with what's come before and is simply happy putting up work and making people smile. As his friend Bortusk Leer said "loads of folk say oh I could do that, but they didn't did they!" and I really love the fact that Abz Jawa is doing it.
Check out the short film about the Super Jawa Kart below and be sure to find him on instagram for more Jawa goodness.
