1 When did you start to make art?
I got into drawing at about 10.
2 How did you evolve into a professional artist?
After Goldsmiths I put on my first show in an empty building, which got reviewed and led to a gallery show.
3 What drove you to make art as a professional vocation?
I had some great teachers who convinced me it was something worth devoting your life to.
4 Explain your inspiration?
A love of Modernist idealism and optimism about the future.
5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
Interactive sculpture, video projections, photographic objects & paintings.
6 From Ideas to production of art – how? And why?
An initial idea, followed by a long gestation period, followed by obsessive attention to detail. If I forget about an idea for a while and it keeps coming back, then I’ll do it.
7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium? If so which?
I’d like to make something between sculpture and architecture.
8 Which artists would you most like to blatantly rip off?
I wouldn’t. If something’s been done well, it doesn’t need doing again.
If it’s been done less well and I’m working on something similar I would still go ahead, but it’s not very satisfying.
9 Why is your art made?
I feel a need to do it.
10 What does being an artist mean to you?
Freedom. Responsibility. And a lot of smoozing.
11 Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
Power mongering in the art-world is a turn off.
12 When does your art become successful?
A smile of recognition.
13 What is art?
A question and a proposition.
14 How do you start the process of making work?
Good coffee.
15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
Sometimes I do. But it’s better to have someone else involved; otherwise I ask too much or give it away, depending on my mood.
16 What is your next; move,project,show etc?
I just launched a big project with Futurecity to site 100 Skystations across the UK and abroad over then next few years. And there is an offer of a museum show in Europe, which I’m excited about.
17 What are the pros and cons of the art market?
It was great to see contemporary art so valued in recent years, but it’s a shame when it gets to be all about the numbers.
18 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
Skystation (2005-9) & Free at Last (1997) are my favourites. (Both on show at the Hayward)
19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
I work in different media depending on what will work best, so not really.
But I do enjoy it when a routine becomes part of the process.
20 What has been the biggest break in your career?
A London collector once invited me to his offices, and after talking for a while said ‘So what’s the work you’ve always wanted to make, but haven’t been able to?’
I told him I wanted to make a film of someone trying to do yoga in freefall. He committed to buy the first edition, so I was able to do it. It’s called Free at Last, and is my most well travelled artwork. One of the editions was bought by the 21st Century Museum for Contemporary Art, in Kanazawa, Japan and was projected onto the exterior for the inaugural show.
21 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
My art teachers and parents are probably the giants.
22 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
I’m not sure. Friends and people I work with. I just gave one to the ‘Beat Bullying’ auction, which a friend is putting on in September.
Skystation is at the Hayward Gallery until 14th September 2009.
More on Peter Newman:Link
More on Skystation:www.futureditions.co.uk
