Kris Kanaly : The Pyramid Guy
If you like in OKC, if you’ve ever parked in Bricktown and walked to a Thunder game you’ve definitely walked through the underpass where Kris’s colorful artwork is spray-painted. His unique abstract style lights up the underpass. Over 100 pillars painted, 2000 spray cans and 25 days of work. Its the coolest underpass in Oklahoma.
We had a great chat for this episode. Kris grew up around art but never really thought it would be something he would do for a career. He was a huge car guy growing up. Working for Jiffy Lube and a part of the street-racing scene in OKC during the mid nineties. He went to OCCC but dropped out after not agreeing with his art teacher. I know you’ve probably heard this story a million times across all industries. The student rebels against structured work and wants to create their own thing.
During all this Kris would continue to create graffiti artwork on buildings and trains around town. Anywhere he was allowed to he’d tag it and create public art. Just enjoying being a young guy with no responsibilities he would also go on tour around the country in a van with all his mates.
After a blast on the road touring the states. Kris went back to school to get his 2 year degree in graphic design. Having a conversation with his old man decided that it was the best thing to do. Now’s the time to go to school. After graduating, Kris up and left to Portland the mecca of graphic design. He worked at an agency doing photography, food photography, directing commercials for restaurants and still doing his artwork on the side.
Kris returned to OKC to work at an ad agency. Bought a house near Paseo District and began his mission to bring all the amazing artwork he’s seen around the world. It took time but, hello Plaza Walls, and all the other vibrant public art that covers the city and the state. Kris and the team that he is a part of are bringing art to towns across the state. Miami, Claremore, Chisholm Creek etc. All coming late 2019 / 2020. In just 4 years their nonprofit the Oklahoma Mural Syndicate has painted 130 murals. Oklahoma City has been voted the number 1 city for immerging street art.
For his personal work he just did Edmond Rail yard and the Scissortail Park grand opening. The rail yard was a monster piece. A huge wall which now has life and the scissortail piece which you can buy prints for now. There is lots of commissioned work coming in to Kris’s business. He’s starting to do more work on canvas to sell regularly to clients. Smaller pieces for homes and offices around the world.
There’s no question there would be no Plaza Walls without Kris, and take that with a grain of salt. I’m sure I’m missing some people saying this so I apologize. ( You guys all rock and we love what you have done with the Plaza District. But there is no doubt that if Kris wasn’t here Plaza Walls wouldn’t be the same. He’s pushing art across the city and helping other artist breakout along the way.
The Pyramid Guy came around because in graffiti writing a word or your name brings the feelings with it. Kris’s tag is RHAK so if you see those four letters you know who it is. So The Pyramid came about from his frustration of just tagging his name. Kris’s obsession with pyramids from his childhood and ancient mystery behind them that summarizes the mystery of life. So from doodling pyramids, adding legs, hands, a face and made this pyramid a dancing pyramid guy.
Follow him on instagram @pyramidguy and online www.kriskanaly.com
Thanks for reading, for the full podcast episode search “This is Oklahoma” on your preferred podcast platform.
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Cheers,
Mike
