Community

Rich Simmons – Founder and Creative Director

Rich has always been a self confessed art geek and grew up being the kid in school that just drew cartoons of people to make some lunch money. That part of his personality never went away and is now selling paintings in galleries and doing shows with his heroes Banksy and Shepard Fairey. Rich has always done things differently and instead of university, he set up his own clothing line at the age of 19 as an attempt to learn business in his own way. This journey allowed him to become self-taught in both business and art. Because of his own experiences and stories involving art as a form of therapy, Rich decided to set up AITC* on his 22nd birthday in 2008. Rich’s passions are all things street art, music, and both watching and making films. Rich’s journey with AITC* has led him to meet some of his best friends and has been able to invite them to be part of the movement and share the adventure.

Graham Lawrie – Managing Director

Graham picked up his first spray can aged 13. After graduating from Art College he became heavily involved in following a career path and sadly, he slowly moved away from Art. 10 years on and tough times meant Graham found himself alone in London without work. A chance meeting with Rich at a trade show one day led to Grahams’ involvement in AITC* and his renewed enthusiasm for creating street art and photography. Art became his cure.
Early in 2011, Graham joined Rich full time and now oversees the day-to-day running of Art is the Cure. He loves his family, especially his niece and nephews over in Australia, he sprays in East London most weekends, trains Muay Thai most nights and listens to a lot of Reggae and his hero… is Eric Cartman.

Kim Leng Hills – Head of Strategic Partnerships & Education

Drawing from her cross-cultural English and Malaysian upbringing, Kim-Leng (aka, ‘Kim’) has been creating for as long as she can remember. Her love for documenting life around her through the lens as well as putting pen to paper, to illustrate or to write, she has become an internationally published Photographer, Music Artist, Writer and Illustrator. Kim-Leng began working with Rich after meeting in May 2010, following an incredible bond over the passion for helping others help themselves through creativity. Inspired by life itself and other people’s stories, she believes art flows from an open heart and mind. You’ll most likely find Kim-Leng meditating or hiding behind a microphone or musical instrument. She adores jet-skiing, swimming, Martial Arts and dancing like no body’s watching — she also literally lives on fresh air, sunshine and smiles… and Family Guy. Oh, and nothing beats a good Gangster or Kung Fu film. Art in all its forms was most definitely a ‘cure’ for Kim-Leng throughout her life and one she will never cease to express.

Eska – Studio & street art manager*

Eska joined AITC* with a huge reputation in the graffiti world. He mastered his craft on the streets of Poland and has been bombing the UK for 10 years now. He has developed and perfected his 3D Graffiti style, which is now instantly recognisable as Eska art.
His reputation across the Graffiti Underground has opened the doors for many more artists to work with AITC* and inspire sections of the community that are perhaps usually tougher to reach.
Eska is the embodiment of Live, Sleep, Paint. We guess that’s how he got so good!

Robert Sae-Heng – Artist in residence*

Robert Sae-Heng is a London based Artist / Illustrator with Mexican and Thai origins. He was born audibly impaired, but eventually learnt to speak and write at a late age, Using art as a major form of communication played a major roll in his life. His cultural backgrounds, contrasting themes, popular culture and the more negative of human traits play a big part in inspiring his work. Robert prefers to work with a more traditional approach using various hand drawn mediums to capture a sense of energy. Robert is known for his massive hair and most the time being covered in paint. He is chilled out, travels a hell of a lot, loves to eat burritos and is in search for the best one in town. Rubbertoe enthusiast. P.S.- truly real rubber toes.