Kirsten Sydnor

The Art of Norfolk

Nick Kuszyk is the artist who created a beautiful image of dazzle patterns used on
battleships during World War I on the wall of Bobs Gun Shop. Ships were painted with
geometric designs that made them a more difficult target. He chose that pattern, which he has
used elsewhere, because of the local military presence here in Norfolk, VA. Kuszyk first started
painting on the walls of buildings and trains back in 1993 in the suburbs of DC. His inspirations
at that time were Cycle and Cool Disco Dan. Kuszyk studied art at the Virginia Commonwealth
University School of the Arts. VCU was definitely worthwhile, as it widened my
perspective. Without his degree from VCU, we may never have known or seen the artist that we
see today. Nick is well known for his paintings of robots. These robots, with all of the vibrant
colors painted around them, create beautiful surroundings in poverty or business oriented places.
In an interview, Nick was asked why he chose to paint robots and his response was, I like its
simplicity, its universality. Its up to you to decide what it represents. The robot theme was born
in 2000. His first legal robot wall surfaced in 2002 in Richmond. Since then, it has traveled to
over a dozen cities in the US and abroad to Berlin, London, Prague and now to Tel Aviv.
Kuszyk states, "There are places that have become street art districts and are fully
functioning as commercial attractions just for the art... the perfect way to generate energy is to
paint a wall."

Kuszyk has this advice for our burgeoning arts district: "Make a bunch of shit. Make stuff! Don't
be hindered by the lack of commercial success. There are all these creative minded people. Be as
diligent as possible if you're trying to create an environment more conducive to public art, studio
art, and creativity." Kusyzk has been painting walls in different areas for a while now, making
boring buildings into beautiful art pieces that people want to come out and see. It is a great way
to bring business into an area and make it lively.
Hailed by The New York Times as, a cultural center of note, Norfolk takes center stage
with exceptional museum collections, critically acclaimed resident performing arts companies
and spectacular annual cultural events. Norfolk has become the cultural capital of the
Commonwealth, bringing this city by the sea recognition on the national and international
cultural scene. While Norfolk may be known for its art museums, it is slowly being recognized
for graffiti style art. Kuszyks unique style brings the run-down buildings to life. This art brings
life to the streets that so many residents walk down every day. Eventually, tourists who have
heard of this beautiful art, will want to experience this walk, bringing good business into the area
as well. This graffiti style art has upset some people who view it as a sign of poverty but that is
not the case at all. This art is here to make people feel something. The vibrant colors that Kuszyk
uses inspires happiness which is just what the streets of Norfolk, Va need. Nick Kuszyk should
inspire other artists to paint positive messages in the streets of Norfolk, only where they are
allowed to do so, of course.

Works Cited
"Speaking with R. Nicholas Kuszyk Aka RRobots." Street Art NYC RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct.
2015.
"Muralists Dress up Walls in Norfolk Arts District." The Virginian-Pilot. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct.
2015.
"Taking on the Bob's Wall: Nick Kuszyk, Aka R.Robots." Taking on the Bob's Wall: Nick
Kuszyk, Aka R.Robots. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2015.