1 When did you start to make art?
I’ve always been interested in art and was a keen photographer for many years. I also had production skills in sound through my former work in the radio industry. Following an MA in Art History at Sussex University about 5 years ago, I decided to change my life and to progress from simply thinking about art to making it whilst thinking about it.
2 How did you evolve into a professional artist?
It became a bit of an obsession really. As one of the most interesting things imaginable, it became my life and for me, if I am totally engaged with what I do, I’ll normally find a way to make it possible. Having something that you really want to do, allows you to push yourself in ways that you couldn’t imagine. Sometimes, it’s a bit of a pain though….
4 Explain your inspiration?
I am inspired by a particular complex of ideas at any one time. Right now with the exhibition Alternative Risk Transfer at The Rag Factory, I’m exploring the creation, transfer and destruction of value in terms of systems governed by risk taking, skill and chance. These concerns often change over time quite dramatically but there is always an obtusely consistent core. Today I was musing over how many different things I’ve done over the last few years and wondering whether there was any consistency at all but then I took an overview of my work and realised that there is an identity in terms of the visual language, emotional grammar and my methods of working. Perhaps underlying the ideas I’m exploring at any particular time, there is some kind of emotive interest.
5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
It is a rather mysterious process to me. I will think of an image and that might connect to some ideas I’ve been pondering or it might happen the other way round. I might have a dream or attend an exhibition or lecture or it might start from an experience. There is no fixed pattern and that’s what makes it so interesting. There is no method as such just a commitment to keep going.
7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium? If so which?
I tend to find whatever medium is most appropriate to exploring an idea and I’m not really precious about any particular medium. I am an artist rather than say a painter but right now I am exploring the medium of paint and poker.
8 Which artists would you most like to blatantly rip off?
That’s a funny question. The idea of originality is of course fatally flawed. We need to get over that particular modernist fantasy. It’s funny because most of us think we have but we just find more nuanced way to express the idea of originality!
9 Why is your art made?
I suppose in the beginning it fulfilled some kind of very strongly felt need but as you get more involved it becomes a practice and the reasons change for each particular project.
10 What does being an artists mean to you?
Being an artist is a state of existence for me, I am able to incorporate the most unlikely things into my art practice. It is a habit of life and everything folds into it, that probably sounds romantic.
11 Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
I do have to negotiate that funny Sunday lunch thing with my parents when they benignly ask ‘so what exactly are you doing these days’. Yes there is a certain amount of befuddlement at the concept of playing poker in an art gallery from certain friends and family but I’ll live with it.
12 When does your art become successful?
It becomes successful when I have deepened my understanding of a particular problem or complex of concerns. There is no end point at such, it is a continuous journey and I am generally departing as I arrive somewhere.
13 What is art?
Oh dear! That is like trying to define God.
14 How do you start the process of making work?
I normally research, make notes, think a lot, build myself up for a while until I have to start. Sometimes, it is very hard, other times, I don’t have to make an effort. There’s no set way and I don’t really want to develop a method as that would mean I’d probably start making a product.
15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
I price my work at the moment. I used to work in the media business so I’m pretty comfortable with that side of things.
16 What is your next; move,project,show etc?
I would like to develop Alternative Risk Transfer by taking it to another venue which is quite different in character to the chaotic but wonderful Rag Factory. Maybe a heritage hotel perhaps? Somewhere that provides a completely different sense of site specificity from where we are now.
17 What are the pros and cons of the art market?
The pros are that it provides a context for display with a clear engagement and progression process as well as a potential income. The cons are that you could end up creating a product for sale and you are basically running a business creating luxury branded goods.
18 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
I will probably be remembered as that guy who played poker in an art gallery but I’m not quite ready to be remembered yet. Sounds as if I’m about to pass away.
19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
See earlier.
20 What has been the biggest break in your career?
I think you make your own luck. The Alternative Risk Transfer show is probably the biggest thing so far but it was something I am in the process of doing rather than something that happened to me.
21 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
I can’t answer that. I have seen the work of so many artists in the last year. It’s some kind of osmosis where particular details leave an impression and then pop up in your practice some time later.
22 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
I’ve only just started making object based artworks so I’m ashamed to say that I’ve yet to give away anything more than DVD’s however if I don’t play well in the Alternative Risk Transfer poker game, I will have certainly have given away some artworks and that’s what risk takingg is all about!
Alternative Risk Transfer runs at the Rag Factory, E1. www.alternativerisktransfer.org
from December 9th
