We Met Over Coffee
You may not guess that Andrew Case is a graffiti-obsessed artist when you first meet him. In fact, a lot of his friends, family, and colleagues didn’t know him as a graffiti-obsessed artist until he hung his paintings at Saxbys Drexel. A former Temple football player and current Drexel Rec staffer, Andrew showed up for our interview in a suit (complete with a pocket square) with a respirator mask and spray paint cans in tow. We couldn’t help but ask him about his self-described double life, his favorite materials to work with, and obviously his go-to coffee order.
Tell us about you! How did you first become interested in art? I’ve always appreciated art, but growing up I never had the opportunity to learn more about it. Then, while in college, I found that tattooing was really my gateway into seeing art as something more than a distant interest. My first tattoo is inspired by a Salvador Dali painting titled “Christ of St. John of the Cross.” It was an image that struck me at a young age and stayed with me over the years. As an avid tattoo and art collector, I now have six tattoos and six original art pieces, and am continually seeking out new artwork for my body and home.
How would you describe your aesthetic? As an artist, I want to create beautiful art that stimulates the viewer to feel something real. My inspiration is driven by a personal, and often unexplainable, sensation to create artwork that will live in this world long after me. I’ve realized that all moments have a beginning and an end, but it’s the in-between that’s left in my hands.
Up until now I’ve been choosey about who I show my work to, so not many people know about this artistic side of me. Because of that fact, there is this hidden motivation that lives within every piece of art that I create knowing that one day others will see a part of me that nobody knows. I thrive off of that.
What are your favorite materials to work with? I love spray paint and the history behind it. I was drawn to this medium due to its use in street art, which is especially popular in Philadelphia. I have high regard for street art and find it to be one of the most impactful, inspiring styles of painting. Spray paint allows the artist to develop depth and balance between the layers as the painting continues to take shape.
How did you decide what pieces to gallery at Saxbys? I wanted to make sure that the paintings I was hanging up in Saxbys best fit the space and worked well with the natural lighting. These are some of my personal favorites and the favorites of some of the people closer to my life.
How did you first hear about Saxbys? There was a Saxbys on Temple’s campus (where I went for undergrad), but I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was 28. Between classes and football — I was on Temple’s team — I almost forgot about everything else other than school and sports. It wasn’t until after college that I had a cup of coffee at Saxbys on Drexel’s campus and thought, “Wow, I’ve been missing out!”
What are some of your favorite things about Philly? What sets it apart from other cities, in your eyes? Philadelphia has evolved into an amazing tourist destination, all while keeping its blue collar roots at the forefront. It’s a city where you can travel back in time with all the historic buildings and brilliant museums, check out some of the fun public spaces along the river, and obviously cheer on the Eagles.
What are your favorite places to go in Philly? (Besides Saxbys, of course…) I love to go out to eat, and I’ve kept a log of over 90 restaurants that I’ve been to in Philly. The music scene in the city has come a long way and the smaller venues are my absolute favorite to check out local acts and bands on the rise. A few of my favorites are Union Transfer, Underground Arts, the Electric Factory, or the amazing new Fillmore (that venue houses some fantastic music and artwork so be sure to check it out).
We have to ask! What’s your go-to order at Saxbys? I’m a simple man when it comes to coffee. I take a small dark roast coffee with one sugar.
Andrew’s work is currently on display at Saxbys Drexel, located at 65 N 34th Street.