1 When did you start to make art?
In 1999 when I started my degree course.
2 How did you evolve into a professional artist?
I don’t think that there’s really a point at which you change into being a ‘professional’ – I think you just have to get more used to greater demands on your time – how you approach making work remains the same.
3 What drove you to make art as a professional vocation?
I’m finding this one hard to answer – I think because there were many reasons that made me want to find out if I was an artist, and no reasons to not find out – if that makes sense?
4 Explain your inspiration?
I’m not sure that there’s any inspiration – there’s an initial interest in something, then just ideas that either work or don’t!
5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
See above
6 From Ideas to production of art – how? And why?
The idea usually comes with a way of representing itself, which then leads to its production. The ‘why’ part in unanswerable.
7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium? If so which?
Ideas can shift and that opens up new possibilities for their representation – so all media are available to all ideas if they fit at the time.
8 Which artists would you most like to blatantly rip off?
I have favourites that I hope have become a part of the language that I use and there’s plenty of work that I wish I’d made – does that count?
9 Why is your art made?
Because for me, there’s no substitute for the visual.
10 What does being an artist mean to you?
There’s a freedom and a claustrophobia in doing this every day, and much failure, but some sweet moments when thought and action turn into something…
11 Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
You can never make everything that you want to – things can cost too much, so often I have to shelve an idea, but I wouldn’t describe that as making life hard!
12 When does your art become successful?
At the moment in which I realise that the piece does make sense, that it is working, and that it’s suggesting where to go next.
13 What is art?
Different things to different people – there’s no single answer.
14 How do you start the process of making work?
By looking at the work I’ve just made and working out what needs to happen next – sometimes I get it right, sometimes not!
15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
My gallery.
16 What is your next; move,project,show etc?
I have a solo show opening in London this week – after that I’m working towards an installation project.
17 What are the pros and cons of the art market? NB
18 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
I think every artist has their favourite pieces of work – so if I were going to be remembered, I hope it would be for one of those.
19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
I don’t really have a routine – normally there are long periods of thinking and researching followed by fairly intensive periods of painting.
20 What has been the biggest break in your career?
When I was offered my first solo show – it’s a completely different feeling when you see your work on its own on the walls of a gallery for the first time.
21 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
All the people I’ve worked with in the last four years have shaped the way I think.
22 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
That’s private!
See Boo at Boo Ritson: Back Roads Journeys – ‘The Gas Station’ Oct 13th – Nov 21st 2009
www.poppysebire.com and www.alancristea.com
