The ‘only rebel street artist’ in Los Angeles

Ted Cruz, rebelized

He’d kept his head down and his identity hidden for a long time. Life is lonely for a conservative artist. An anomaly in the Los Angeles art world, Sabo has “come out” as a proud Republican on his websites and shown his face for CPAC 2015.

From his Facebook page:

“UNSAVORYAGENTS is a Republican art movement intended to show Los Angeles that art does not belong to the Left-Wing. Our aim is to educate the Right on the importance art, propaganda, and the methods by which to communicate with the youth through their culture.”

Since street art is just a mirror of the larger art world, the same biases, bigotries and political xenophobia exists as it does in the white boxes. Yes, anyone can spray a wall or poster up a telephone pole. It’s what happens next that separates mindless followers of cultural momentum from persons who think original thoughts – or the men from the boys. Life isn’t easy for politically non-compliant artists.

Street artist Sabo took a break from mocking the rich, powerful, corrupt and “progressive” to speak with me about his ground-breaking work and vision.

MM: How long have you been doing street art and political art?

Sabo: I kicked into gear with this about 2006, but have been doing street art of some type for 12 to 13 years. At first it was to communicate with all the leftist artists. I was a cowboy in a field of Indians and took a lot of arrows that way. It takes work and consistency for them to realize you’re not a troll, but are serious about your art and message.

MM: You became quite well known after your tatted, rebelized version of Ted Cruz. [A statement given to the Daily Surge is copied below.]

Sabo: We’d been talking about Senator Cruz during meetings, so I figured I’d mess around with the image. … I find it hard to believe that 25 posters made the noise they made around the country. As far as my supporting Cruz with my art, it would be more accurate to say he has enough qualities for me to stand by. I feel we should always hold politicians feet to the fire though. Senator Cruz doesn’t know me; he never looked through my portfolio; he didn’t ask for my help, and I didn’t ask for his permission.

MM: My favorite of all you’ve done so far is “Abortion Barbie.” It was just brilliant and there are few artists who take this vitally important subject on. Wendy Davis is an immoral, bloody lunatic (with cute outfits, which confuses liberals). She can’t be portrayed too badly. I salute you.

Sabo: Yes I found she was coming to Santa Monica last May (2014) to campaign for Texas governor, hosted by bigwigs J.J. Abrams, producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and director Steven Spielberg. I put up several posters including a very large piece that took all night to hang from power lines over the street that said “Hollywood welcomes Abortion Barbie Wendy Davis.” I just wanted to sleep a few minutes when something told me to check the big banner. Just as I arrived to get a few photos, men in suits were trying to pull it down early in the morning.”

Abortion Barbie, aka Wendy Davi

MM: You’ll have plenty to tell your grandchildren. … You did a long series of “Mile Markers” for the Obama “Marathon of Incompetence” that measured off the Los Angeles Marathon. You seem to have covered almost everything from Iranian nukes to the Gibson Guitar raids. Too bad there’s only 26 miles, perhaps you should try kilometers. … You have a strong personality, you’re not devastated by attacks from other artists or the sniping in the press. Did you suffer a lot of rejection from authorities or other artists?

Sabo: I haven’t been arrested, but have been closely “questioned” at night several times. Actually galleries didn’t close their doors to me and if you know your stuff and do quality work, you can work with them. Still I gave it up after a while because the political atmosphere is stifling. Conservatives are always suspect over their work and intention, while liberals get a pass. I am not bigoted, not a racist, not a homophobe or woman hater. People need to view my work – or others – in context. It doesn’t matter if the left grabs it and beats you over the head with it.

MM: How do you keep going when most peers are so hostile?

Sabo: Dig your feet down and don’t stop – never show weakness or apologize. The left has done nothing but demonize us for decades and think we’re like shooting fish in a barrel. Welcome to the land of Lenny Bruce! The leftists think they’re these groundbreaking people, but they’re unwilling to listen to anything that counters their beliefs. They don’t get it. They are “the establishment,” they don’t want any change.

Sabo’s lack of contrition is obvious on this post from his Facebook page:

“THERE WAS A TIME THERE WAS ONLY RUSH ON RIGHT-WING RADIO. THEN CAME THE WAVE OF EVERYONE ELSE. TODAY THERE IS ONLY ME IN HARD HITTING RIGHT-WING ART. I AM THE STANDARD, I AM THE RUSH FOR RIGHT-WING ART – SABO. TO ALL OF MY “ILLUSTRATOR” FRIENDS WHO RUN AROUND PLAYING “STREET ARTIST” … THIS IS REAL POLITICS, THIS IS REAL STREET ART. WATCH / LEARN.”

MM: Are you a religious person? This seems to be a war primarily between Judeo-Christian worldview and the opposite.

Sabo: I love Christians and believe in a God, but wouldn’t brand myself a Christian, necessarily.

MM: Then were you in the service? People that are patriotic or just prefer to survive are often conservative.

Sabo: I was a Marine for four years. Not a happy Marine, but I had some good times and made good friends … and a pissed-off Marine is a good Marine.

MM: I noticed you’ve a little rougher language than most CPAC speakers. Also we can’t show all your work here because some of it’s not family viewing. I understand your effort to shock and destabilize the image of power and elitism that many liberal leaders presume, though. … Somewhere I read you totally enjoy ticking off “limousine liberals.” What are you doing now?

Sabo: Many projects and ideas. I had a dream about making buttons, then got a machine and stared doing it. A small a team of us “UnsavoryAgents” try to have a 24-hour turn-around based on chasing down the news cycle. If something outrageous happens, particularly if it’s glossed over by the press … within the day, we whip up a few posters, throw them up across LA, take photos and get them out there. From there they develop a life of their own.

MM: I noticed you had tons of stuff out to greet President Obama and Nancy Pelosi when they came to Los Angeles last summer. I don’t know if they were all your team or others pitched in.

Sabo: The walls we want to hit most are internet walls. Temporary art set out in strategic places, and then submitted to publications. If we’re lucky, other people will pick them up and they’ll go viral.

MM: Your range of subject matter is vast. You had a poster of the poor Jordanian pilot that I found on twitchy.com. They asked, “How many left-wing, self-styled human rights crusaders in Hollywood do you think remember who Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh is, how he died, and who killed him?” I understand your hunting ground of Santa Monica is almost hysterically liberal, voting 82% Democrat and for Obama in both elections.

Sabo: The sad part is I’ll probably have a show in New York before I have one in LA.

MM: Example of what makes you get up in the morning?

Sabo: Most recently Hillary Clinton with her “get to the back of the line statement.” We brainstormed and came up something. Sometimes we’ll pitch an idea to ad agencies. Occasionally they’ll fund or find support for us, but many projects we do on our own.

“Flying Monkey” Anti-Clinton Street art by Sabo

MM: How do you survive in such a hostile environment and do you consider getting out of street art or LA?

Sabo: Well it’s rough. Fortunately I don’t care if my message is acceptable to anyone. Yeah, I need to make a living. But that hasn’t come first like the majority of artists who think they’re on the cutting edge and have something to say, but they need to get a grant first. Friends and supporters have been telling me, “Get out of Los Angeles and come to Texas – you’d be more comfortable here.” What’s the use of preaching to the choir? That’s what the left does, circle the wagons and surround yourself by people exactly like yourself. I don’t mind making people angry.

MM: I notice you return the contempt as well as the left dishes it out and seem to enjoy it. UnsavoryAgents site warns that your art is “right-wing-centric, brutal, street level, and hard edge. Our means are achieved by any creative means necessary.” You also warn that your message “may seem base at times.” It seems to be almost policy for conservatives to speak politely and civilly, even in the face of obscene attacks. At one point you address “Hippies, Leftists, Anarchists, Progressives and Democrats” with this: “People wonder why I can’t be on the Left. Because I can’t even pretend to be that f***** stupid.” Which is understandable. Still, media and leftist pundits can’t make themselves admit that we are indeed “the rebellion,” perhaps because they haven’t issued an order for that yet. … What mediums are you using now, and do you do “illegal” street art?

Sabo: I do some art directly on walls, but it’s in places that are unofficially urban canvases or the city wants artists to do something with them. For the most part I use posters that I print of my own art and glue, tape or hang them.

MM: Being a free spirit, haunting the city with conservative art – how do you survive?

Sabo: I make money, but not nearly as much as the sell-out liberals who are working for the state. I do what I like and say what I like. People who appreciate it will buy my stuff and support me. I don’t try to pitch to people, I come up with a concept first. However I am open to ideas and commissions.

MM: Any advice or encouragement for conservative artists afraid to come out of the closet?

Sabo: Join the real rebels. Focus on your purpose, then the money will come. I don’t respect Banksy or a lot of other faux “political” artists that sell out for money and fame. But I’d like to be the conservative version of Shepard Fairey. Half of the country is starving for something like this.

Sabo’s art and statements can be seen here. You may purchase his art, order custom work or possibly collaborate with UnsavoryAgents on projects. Sabo is also an art geek who can write code, make web pages and other arcane things. Please don’t send hate mail. He gets enough of that from RightWingWatch, Democratic Party spokesman and various regime artists.

Interview with Sabo, June 2, 2015

from PropagandaGuard https://propagandaguard.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/the-only-rebel-street-artist-in-los-angeles/

from WordPress https://toddmsiebert.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/the-only-rebel-street-artist-in-los-angeles/