Timothy Curtis

NEVER ONE DAY NOT HAVING FUN

- Joey Garfield

IN THE SUMMER OF 2009, I EMBARKED ON A FILM project with Steve “ESPO” Powers entitled A Love Letter For You. The film was part of a larger project, a love letter to the city of Philadelphia in which Steve and crew reclaimed the rooftops along the Market/Frankford elevated train line. They painted messages of love for the viewing pleasure of all who ride in and out of the city.

One of the main characters in the film was based on a prolific young graffiti writer and talented artist named Agua (a.k.a. Timothy Curtis), who was always running wild and literally “never not having fun.” He would have been in the film himself if he hadn’t been serving out a seven-year jail sentence for failure to accept prosecution. At long last, he’s out and now has the opportunity to self-actualize his artistic career. Fortunately, this gives me the chance to catch up and learn about all things Agua.

Joey Garfield: How did you get the name Agua? Timothy Curtis/Agua: Everyone in West Philly has a tag. Seems like they were born with one. I got one when I was nine and that was PIPE. I started to write because everyone was writing. But the cops became aware of me, so I switched my name. I had been thinking of cool letters to write. When the Puerto Ricans saw a cop they would shout out “Agua Agua Agua!” Like a million times. My friends said it all the time. I specifically remember walking in the parking lot this one day and I was like, yeah… Agua.