Before GAAM was GAAM, we were going to do JUST a Street Fighter art show. It was just going to be the four of us creating artwork about the game that meant so much to us growing up. Logan is part of that original four, and he created some AMAZING pieces that (as usual for Logan) went far beyond what we expected to see. Who else decides they’re going to mashup up Street Fighter characters and scenes into gender and personality crossing artwork? Nobody. That’s why we’re working with Logan Zawacki.

Hello, what’s your name and what do you?
Logan Zawacki and I am a part-time professor of photography, part-time students, and part-time artist. There are many parts to me.

What are five of your favorite games?
1. Super Mario Kart – I can literally play that game until my thumbs have blistered up and my hands are permanently stuck in a claw-like position.
2. Super Mario Bros. – This classic NEVER gets old!
3. Professor Layton – These games are like crack to me. I love puzzles so the fact that there is, what seems like, an endless supply of puzzles in this game…addictive!
4. Street Fighter II – I friggin’ love this game. I’ve played all of the fighting games and this one continues to remain my favorite. Though I did enjoy playing Street Fighter IV in the arcades while I was over in Hong Kong. I couldn’t speak Cantonese, so that game was my way of bonding with some of the locals.
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Arcade Game (NES) – I’m a sucker for an awesome side-scrolling game. Spending hours whooping up on foot soldiers…what more can I ask for?

Can you remember the first time you started playing Street Fighter?
I was never that good at the early arcades, so I didn’t really begin playing Street Fighter until it came out on SNES. I remember spending entire days spent in my bedroom fighting with my best friends, David and Travis. David was always Ryu, Travis liked Dhalsim, and I bounced around between Ryu and Blanka or E. Honda.

What’s your favorite Street Fighter game? 1, 2, 3, 4, EX, X Tekken, or Alpha?
I’m old school, bro! I love the aesthetic of 16-bit games and the simplified controls. If I had to pick a second favorite, Street Fighter IV would be my pick. I’ve never been a fan of the Alpha or EX series and I really don’t like Tekken. Marvel vs. Capcom would probably be my 3rd favorite Street Fighter game…since that’s pretty much what it is.

Who’s your main?
These days I fight primarily with the charge-up fighters and big hitters. E. Honda is my go t0 guy, then Blanka and Balrog. I never thought I’d enjoy fighting as Balrog but I really have fun with his combos on SF4.

If M. Bison offered you $100,000,000 Bison dollars, would you join Shadowloo?
If I was a character in the Street Fighter series I would heel out in a heartbeat! Shave my head and give me an eye patch, because Sagat just got replaced by mwah. Lol

The Excavation Of Mushroom Island

Why did you let Ryan drag you into this event?

It didn’t take much convincing on Ryan’s part. It really happened to be perfect timing and I was itching to get back into making my video game-themed artwork. I’ve already made a book about Super Mario Bros. titled ‘The Excavation of Mushroom Island’. I made a product catalog inspired by the Mega Man robot masters. So now it’s time for me to add some original Street Fighter artwork to my portfolio!

What kind of art/what should we expect from your art for the Game Art And Music Show?
Since the show is about “Art” and “Music” I took inspiration from musical mash-ups and created my own Street Fighter mash-ups. And I did them in traditional 16-bit fashion!!! Expect to see at least 16 characters mashed into 8 fighters and 4 mash-up backgrounds.

What do you want to come from this show/art?
I want to continue to earn my street cred! Lol. I have a rep’ to protect.
Seriously, this show could introduce people to the Street Fighter franchise for the first time and possibly inspire them to create their own artwork or to get involved with the gaming culture. Also I’m hoping this show will lead to more exhibition opportunities for all of us and possibly get our artwork into galleries like Gallery1988 or Nucleus Gallery, or even be asked to participate with Iam8bit on some of their west coast festivals.