Mr. Totem is a world-renowned graffiti artist and muralist celebrated for his pioneering 3D lettering and innovative approach to urban art. With over three decades of experience, he has become a global icon in aerosol culture, blending mechanical precision with bold creativity. Known for his signature “Mechanical Battle Serif” style and robotic “Lettermech” designs, Totem’s work draws inspiration from Japanese mecha, hip-hop aesthetics, and his Asian heritage. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights into his artistic journey, influences, and the evolution of his groundbreaking graffiti techniques.

What is your artist name you like to go by?

Hey everyone my name is Mr.TOTEM2. 

My crews are TATS CRU, BurnUnit, 3A, TGE. FlipsideKings

What’s one of your earliest memories of making art?

I remember in the late 80s early 90s discovering Graffiti art from Skateboarding art, Comic art and feeling like I discovered something absolutely unique and special for me solely. Graffiti was the medium only a select few could attain or even understand and it was revealed to me as someone special and invited into the culture of Graffiti. 

How did you discover your creative voice?

Like many people I tried many different forms of expression such as Breakdancing, Karate, House dancing, Gymnastics, Skateboarding and I excelled at them to a respectable degree, but when I found Graffiti Art I was captivated and felt like it was written in the Book of my Life. 

Who or what influenced your development as an artist?

I was influenced by people from my neighborhood. I had Graffiti being written in my neighborhood that had nothing to do with Hiphop but a guy from my hood was a good skateboarder and knew skate culture that showed me the bottom of a skateboard that had hiphop graff on it and I went down the rabbit hole.

Tell us about your current series, [Series Name].

My Graffiti Letters have always been the cornerstone of why I use spraypaint as the choice of medium for expression. Letters are the framework of why im even here so in the pursuit of a lifelong career of Graffiti Writing I focused on developing a style rooted in my Asian heritage which is known worldwide. My style is The Mechanical Battle Serif style. or Heavily Armored Graffiti Lettering. Mechanized Glyphs, Weaponized Fonts, Panzerism.. if you will. 

What themes or ideas keep appearing in your work?

My overall Letter Style is called the Mechanical Battle Serif but my individual Graffiti Pieces that are robotic in nature are called Lettermech.

My Lettermech style is always painted in a 3D approach with spray paint only as I feel that that is be best Technique in Graffiti to express the look of a Lettermech.

A Lettermech is a Heavy Armored robotic Letterform. Inspired by Japanese robot mecha from my childhood. I have developed many iterations of Lettermech over the years and now even moved to Sculpture to further expand on my style's potential. I have been painting and developing this style for 30 years now and I am recognized around the world for pioneering this aesthetic in Graffiti Writing. 

What might surprise people about you as an artist?

I paint with both hands... and I refute the term: Starving Artist. 

How has your environment shaped your work?

I have been raised in close proximity of the Best of my Culture. The Best of the Best of aerosol culture. 

With that in mind and coming from the 90s with "The Battle of Style" as an overarching theme of stylist in the 4 elements of Hiphop I have developed a Battle oriented Letter style that is world renowned. 

What do you enjoy most about creating art today?

Art has no Age and that is the most fun knowing that I have no limits in where I want to go as an Artist. 

Not like professional basketball, baseball, soccer where your age is important for your peak. Other than your general overall health you can peak multiple times in your Art career and rediscover/recreate yourself over and over again. 

To me that is freeing and inspiring.

What inspires you outside of painting?

Watching my 4 Sons grow and become great men.

I work hard painting to support my family with my wife Juri to raise my children. I feed my family from Graffiti Writing and experience the world from the vast network of writers and artist around the world who support me as an Artist and a Father. The people know of my Sons and are actively waiting to see what they will create. that is absolutely inspiring to me to see how bright a Future can be for the Young of the World.

What do you hope people take away from your work?

I want them to know I thank them for watching my work and supporting me for all these years. They truly make me feel like I am The Best.

Any last words?

For anyone using spray paint, if you make a mistake, even if it’s far into your work. Do it again. 

Even if it’s a pain in the bottom. Do it again. The act of doing it over will sharpen your skill. You get the opportunity to hone your skill with every

correction of mistakes you make along the way. 

The more time with the Can the sharper your skills will become.