Perry works at Quality Pre-Owned Appliances on Western Avenue, where he has decorated the outside walls with street art. His graffiti work depicts anthropomorphic appliances, including a drunken refrigerator on the verge of speech.
His work also includes scenes and machines from Star Wars. I caught up with Perry as he was putting shading touches on the mountains behind the All Terrain Armored Transports (AT-ATs) he’d painted earlier.
But unless you are a train engineer or frequently walk the railroad tracks in Lonsdale, you probably haven’t seen Perry’s other works on the back of the building. His whimsical images are created using both spray paint, rollers, and traditional brushes.
Perry is attempting to start a Mural Movement to decorate empty walls throughout Knoxville. “There just isn’t enough art in public spaces in this town,” he says. Along with another artist friend, he is attempting to reach out to business owners and other artists to spread street art throughout Knoxville. For now, you can see some of his work in Lonsdale and Happy Holler as well.
Story and photos by Buck Kahler