1.If you weren’t an artist, what else would you be?
Sectioned.
2. Can you tell us more about your work and what are the main ideas you would like to express?
Love, Hate, Peace, War, Life, Death, Sex, Drugs all the light-hearted subjects.
3. How do you start the process of making work?
I don’t see it as having a start or end it’s more of a linear process.
4. Do you consider the viewer, when making your work?
It’s difficult to not think of the viewer because it’s impossible to imagine every possible viewer. I think of 9-year-old me, if he likes it, I like it.
5. Name 3 artists that have inspired your work?
Margaret Calvert, Robert G. Heft, Carolyn Davidson.
6. What defines something as a work of art?
The Artist.
7. In times of austerity, do you think art has a moral obligation to respond topically?
Art is not obliged to do anything. That’s why I’m in love with it.
8. Anytime, any place – which artist’s body would you most like to inhabit?
It’s got to be Frida Kahlo, she’s kind of sexy in a bohemian Neanderthal way.
9. What is your favourite ‘ism’?
Atheism
10. What was the most intelligent thing that someone said or wrote about your work?
‘I like the way I can understand it.’
11. And the dumbest?
‘I don’t understand it.’
12. Which artists would you most like to rip off, sorry, I mean appropriate as a critique of originality and authorship? I’m constantly ripping myself off, like Duchamp said ‘“I force myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste.”’
13. Do you care what your art costs?
State your reasons!
It should always cost the buyer more to purchase than it costs the artist to produce. Basic business.
14. What’s next for you?
I’ve got a book coming out ‘Hayden Kays Is An Artist’, I’m toying with the idea of becoming a painter.
If you are really quick you can catch Hayden at The Cob Gallery with ‘The HOT 100 Hundred’ on until Saturday 30th November (Tomorrow !) And then The Freud Museum (More Details to Come).
