Robert started painting graffiti as 3D in Bristol join the 1980’s as hip-hop culture was being adopted across the pond. He was one of the first pioneering artists to define the movement of graffiti art in the Uk. Being notorious in Bristol’s underground culture. His murals became a trademark for a new form of graffiti later dubbed ‘street art’.
3D inspired more graffiti writers in Bristol such as Inkie who is also known as one the original graffiti writers from Bristol, and soon joined him Inkie was ‘literally trying to follow 3D everywhere’. He told Melissa Chemam for Vanguard.
This new creative revolution on Britain’s walls was not welcomed with open arms by the authorities. Qualified as a vandal in the eyes of the law 3D was arrested twice after this He focused more on commissioned work and music. Creating music as a part of Massive Attack 3D was able to use his artwork for the album covers.
3D’s style inspired anonymous graffiti writer from the mid 90’s under the tag of Banksy. In one of his rare interviews for Swindle magazine in 2006, Banksy said ‘When I was about 10 years old, a kid called 3D was painting the streets hard. He was the first to bring spray painting to Bristol, I grew up seeing spray paint on the streets way before I saw it in a magazine or on a computer.’ The two artists worked together with 3D having an active role in holding Banksy’s artwork in an Anti-war march. Also with 3D exhibiting as a part of Banksy’s ‘Santa’s Ghetto’. With the success of Massive Attack Robert became too famous to ‘bomb’ walls with graffiti under the name of 3D.
Robert still continues his artistic practice in creating mixed media works using a range of techniques such as spray paint, stencils, and screenprinting. Moving away from traditional graffiti lettering to a distinctive style consisting of more expressionistic portraits and forms through layered imagery. His art form has political and social justice connotations running through them. While helping the causes he addresses in the art throughout the proceeds. Such as the print run of ‘Protection’ and ‘Help95’ and disclosing the breakdown of cost and donation.
Robert’s legacy in visual arts is one of someone who helped pioneer the culture of street art within the Uk and further afield. Also, one of an activist who shows how art can create social change and raise awareness through various campaigns he’s worked on and created print runs for.