Journey so far…
Alas, the years have taken their toll. My life has been sapped of a coherent narrative and replaced with non-chronological anecdotes. Ever heard of Witham?
Making a living…
I let studios, design t-shirts for a Japanese menswear label and still occasionally take on other illustration jobs. Plus, a few times a year I subsidise my work by volunteering for medical research projects.
Learning curve…
Well, none through formal education as I was spitefully shown the door at each juncture. I learn everything on the job, each artwork presents technical challenges that I need to overcome or I forfeit getting to see the work so it’s a perfect programme for learning. Though I did pick up silk-screen printing from excellent technicians at LCP, simply by bunking in and pretending I was a student – try it readers! With tuition fees as they are, anyone that needs to should be taking use of facilities illicitly.
How it began
I’ve always had great curiosity and continually used art to make sense of things. I was an obsessive drawer as a child, starting at the top of a wad of Xerox paper and working through. One of my earliest memories is of sitting on a beach drawing and wondering why there was a difference between what was in my mind’s eye and what resulted on the paper. I’ve been trying to make sense of things through art ever since. I wasn’t keen on painting until I discovered oil paints then threw my myself at it lustily, painting on large hardboards, the walls and my bald head. I used these skills while working as an illustrator but I haven’t drawn anything in years. Also, I guess being an anti-authoritarian kid helps you develop personal vision without trying to appease any external force.
Striding forward…
Well, incrementally, one exciting result led to another – my artwork perpetuates itself via its innate reward system – like lust or hunger.
The future…
For some imminent shoots, I have some props/stages that are literally growing or developing while I wait. There are other ambitious projects that I am gradually learning how to tackle. I chip away at these in tandem with other work to avoid any large gaps in production. Then there are the projects that are continually developing mentally without any practical activity. So – many things are always in development one way or another.
Dislikes…
My work needs more exposure and it’s hard to come by.
Growing up…
I always saw the places I lived as a child as interim backdrops. I was always much more inspired by ideas and discovery than – say – the shopping centre?
Encouragement…
Everybody’s been as cool as cucumberants.
like father…
My old man was a talented amateur draughtsman when he was young. This may hint at heredity, but I only saw examples later in life so it was of no conscious influence.
Pearls of wisdom…
I don’t know artists or many people in the art-world generally so there’s no specific advice forthcoming. Generally remembering your mortality is an odd cold comfort. It can help you dispense with trivia and feel a useful urgency. Universal circumstance told me that.
Collections…
Music – vociferously – as a creative field is wiiiide open. There are so many good ideas and anyone can have a crack at it. I pretty much listen to music all day every day as it offers just the right level of distraction for me to operate as I want.
Re-inspiring yourself…
It honestly hasn’t happened yet. It’s more difficult to discern which project to initiate next.
Collections…
I like food. There are similarities between my work and food. One plate of food can have infinite histories. Chemical, physical, agricultural, cultural and natural history, etc. It all converges on your plate to consume and assimilate.
I have a penchant for the music, film, food, language, and general culture of Japan.
Music – too much to mention. There’re probably 5000 interesting records released every week worldwide – who knows?
Science books – THE WONDER!!!
The worldwide web…
Music blogs – discovering something new and, occasionally, excellent writing – insightful, funny and knowledgeable.
Relaxation…
I only really relax for the duration of a cigarette. Is smoking a past-time? Otherwise I’m either working, playing, recuperating, unconscious or lucid dreaming.
Though, you could say that finding ways to lose yourself offers some sort of respite.
Turn back the clock…
I’d generally have been better to people. The guilt is crushing.
People who inspire…
Max Planck, Niels Bohr – all the science titans – John Hunter, Joseph Beuys, Buckminster Fuller…
Plans…
I’m in no position to make plans. Work, work, work and working on getting it exposed.
Dream…
One dream – always the same – to be able to make all the artworks I can conceive of without stricture. That and to build hordes of gargantuan mechanical black worms to unleash on the world from my secret palace under Bognor. (It has a ping-pong room you know).
Advice…
I have no idea – what is it I do again?
Show time…
I’ve a solo show Folk Form Taxa at Aubin gallery, Redchurch street, London, E1, running from 05th August - 05th September – go and see it you bastards!