Os Gemeos

Every Day They Write the Book

- Sasha Bogojev

Recognition and respect from the general public for something to which you've dedicated your life is probably one of the most satisfying feelings a person can experience, even sweeter when that recognition becomes global. When that happens in multiple fields, for different kinds of activities, and in this particular case, forms of creative expression, we're dealing with an extra special, almost extraterrestrial individual. Multiply that by two, and the prodigious product is Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo, better known as OSGEMEOS.

The twin brothers, from the Cambuci district of São Paulo, are recognized among the most respected graffiti writers of all time, but are also considered pioneering forefathers of street art as we know it today. Artistically active for over a quarter of a century, they now regularly show their studio works at blue chip galleries and big art fairs like Art Basel. On top of this, OSGEMEOS have become household names in their native Brazil and synonymous with old school hip hop culture. Eight years since their work last graced our cover, we finally got a chance to sit down with the twins during the opening of their newest solo show, Déjà Vu, at Lehmann Maupin in Hong Kong and take an expansive look at their inspirational artistic career.

Sasha Bogojev: For the younger generations and those not knowing the story, could you tell us a bit about how you got introduced to hip hop culture and graffiti?