1 When did you start to make art?
I remember drawing and painting when I was three or four years old, on large rolls of paper my parents had laid down in the house. The simplest of connections, from the brain to the hand to the paper; mark making, the building blocks.
2 How did you evolve into a professional artist?
On paper, to be a professional you have to one, make what you do all the time and two, make enough money to live off it. The latter has yet to find me.
3 What drove you to make art as a professional vocation?
It’s something that’s always been in me, I don’t know why. Seems like the logical step, to set out to make your professional vocation the thing you’re best at.
4 Explain your inspiration?
The idea of possibilities. That’s the one thing that cements my work and me. Art’s sort of like one big documentary, where you try and unravel everything, making connections along the way. The possibility of finding something that no one else knew was there. For me that’s very inspiring.
5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
Answered in question 14.
6 From ideas to production of art – how? And why?
How, depends on the specific idea. Why, because if you have the idea then you might as well put it to use.
7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium? If so which?
My works exists in the medium, the idea or concept that allows it to work best in. The medium and the concept need to sit in perfect balance together. Once you’ve found that, why would you want to change it.
8 Which artists would you most like to blatantly rip off?
That wouldn’t be any fun.
9 Why is your art made?
I have a lot of thoughts and feelings going in and around my head, just like everyone else. My art is made because it’s my way of allowing these floating moments in my brain to be dealt with and realised, getting them out of there into the real world. It’s one massive battle with myself, I can’t help it.
Also, I never want to have a “job”.
10 What does being an artist mean to you?
I think a lot of people see being an artist as some sort of cop out, outside of the art world at least, that it’s just a fun “nice” thing to do. There are also many “artists” that have this attitude. They enjoy the feeling of putting paint on the canvas or trying to be overly complex and elitist.
But for me, as an artist you have a moral obligation, like the policeman or the politician, (supposedly). Art should be thought of as “in line” with other cultural departments. The role of the artist is to explore these important gaps in life that other faculties can’t. People turn to Art when they need more questions put forward than the policeman, politician or any other sector could put forward. This is the function of art through the artist.
11Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e.: Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
Yes. No.
12 When does your art become successful?
When I say so.
13 What is art?
What I say so. (For me at least)
14 How do you start the process of making work?
It can vary. For instance, I could see the shape of an image or idea in my head but it wouldn’t be in “focus”. After a while it could start to become clearer and the next thing I read, the next image I see or an unrelated thought I had a week later, could allow that first “shape” to form into the first clear building block of making work.
When I was at St Martins people always seemed to be obsessed with the idea of an obscure piece of text they had found in the library or some place. They would study it and make work based solely on the text. That always seemed such a lazy idea to me, and doesn’t do anyone any favours. It would be a lot easier if they just gave everyone a library card.
15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
Me. (So far)
16 What is your next move, project, show etc?
A group show with Paradise Row Gallery.
17 What are the pros and cons of the art market?
I guess, Money, Success, Pressure etc etc.
18 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
I graduated in 2009.
19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
Probably.
20 What has been the biggest break in your career?
Leaving Central St Martins.
21 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
Gilbert and George. I met them a few years ago, and have been friends since.
It’s a very empowering feeling that they gave their lives to Art, to the world. I’ve never met two people that have such an understanding of life and of the possibilities of what Art can achieve. To transcend Art and life together into the most honest, purest form, is the ultimate achievement.
22 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
A couple, maybe four or five years ago, but they don’t count.
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