''...In the desert I saw a creature naked,bestial,Who squatting upon the ground,Held his heart in his hands,And ate of it.I said,''Is it good,friend?''''It is bitter-bitter,''he answered;''But I like it Becouse it is bitter,And because it is my heart...''
a)I live and work in San FranciscOakland, Killerfornia
q) How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?
a)Images derived and interpreted from Caricatures, cartoons comic books and newspapers and other mass media visions that make up Humanity's visual language ?
q) How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?
a)I remember a stint in the hospital as a child and a general sense of isolation playing some part in the urge to create places of adventure that played themselves out on paper. Later it became a tool of communication when living in a place where the native tongue did not match the surroundings.
q) What are your favorite art materials and why?
a)The materials vary depending on my moods. I just finished a "Painting" acrylic on masonite, and while I enjoyed working on it, I won't do the same for a while. I'll cycle through various mediums, maybe I'll paint on back of glass next... or on cardboard. Of course the most common is paper and pencil, all the ideas emerge from that. then other techniques fan out from there. Ink and brush To Silkscreen printing and lately even the computer for color separations prior to printing.
q) What/who influences you most?
a)A combination of Comics, commercial graphics , Lettering from Asia and India, Nature , fuzzy abstract memories, molecular levels...Herge, EP Jacobs, Oyivind Fahlstrom, Crumb and underground cartoonists in general, anonymous sign painters, primitive art...mixed together with historical or sometimes current events....
q) Describe a typical day of art making for you.
a)There's no typical day . It's always difficult to start. I sometimes go weeks without making anything. I guess there's 2 different approaches, 1:-the creative, then 2:- the methodical. For example I'll conceive a piece/idea in one way, then I have to find the right application for it. Is it going to remain a drawing? Is it going in a publication? Is it a sketch for a painting? etc... The creative part is akin to meditation, somehow the idea must flow out of oneself and manifest itself in a challenging or satisfying manner, very difficult.! many times it ends up in disaster! Throw away or at least put aside for another time when the invisible realm is more cooperative. I guess it's kind of like a spiritual seance...
So when I've decided on its destination(s) is when the methodical comes in, (Much easier!) If it's going to be a screenprint on glass, it just becomes a process, tedious at times and only worth it for a successfull finished work...Film-screen-print-paint...finished.
q) Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?
a)I like to present the viewer with a striking , engaging and sometimes provocative or evocative experience.
Also achieving a modest version of Immortality by sending on a work into the future, imbued with some energy or spirit from the person and the time period it was created. Although in this day and age , much of the visual information presented and consumed is in a sense immaterial as it's presented digitally on internet etc, I still believe an object takes on a fetishistic element that can have a powerful impact on viewers long afterwards...
q) What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?
a)I'm clueless to what goes on at the moment. I avoid looking at things for fear of contracting the visual virus of trend.
I have enough visual clutter in my brain I have to be careful what I let in. Lest you transit from a creator of visual art to becoming a consumer of it...
q) How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?*
a)Anywhere between 3 hours to 3 weeks... depending on my mood and inspiration...
q) Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?*
a)I do enjoy selling my pieces.It's something I've created and by becoming adopted by someone it takes on a new life somewhere else. Comes in contact with and creates reactions with new viewers instead of being trapped by me. they become free! and it allows me to eat another week and have shelter. I resent the pieces that nobody buys (many!) they represent failures to me. I can be attached to a piece but am satisfied to have a picture of it...
q) Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?
a)Yes music is very important to me and I'm sure it influences what I do. Right now I'm listening to music with lyrics in languages I don't understand. I can't be polluted with knowing what the words mean, instead the voice becomes an instrument. Right now some pop/rock from Turkey 60's 70's.A lot of Asian POP, Thailand, Burma and middle eastern stuff .
q) Books?
a)Non fiction historical mainly but recently read "2666" by Roberto Bolano. Travel Books also so I can fantasize about traveling to exotic places....
q) What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?
a)Doing is the most important thing, although I still waste much torturous time "thinking" about it... I get depressed when I don't work (often) and have panic attacks that I'll never be able to do anything again . Happens all the time. So I guess if it's a theory.... just do!
q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?
a)Traveling , watching movies, walking the dog, drinking, working, riding the bicycle .
q) Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?
a)I'm hoping to have an upcoming show as a collaboration with one of my favorite artists who is also a legendary SF artist...but I can't say anymore...
q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?
a)I don't know what's going on at all so I don't even know if I like what's going on, I'm completely unaware of it. I don't read magazines or art websites or even galleries... I probably should but...I'm a bit of a hermit.
q) Ask yourself a question you'd like to answer, and answer it.
a)I live in Beijing China, still junior in university.
q) How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?
a)I hope they could understand what I'm doing not through my descriptions, but by seeing my works.
q) How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?
a)This may mostly contribute to my painting learning experince in my childhood. And gradually I found my great interet in photography.
But still, I do not think I am an artist. I'm just doing what I'm fond of. That's all. I'm still not sure about what on earth the defination of art is.
q) What are your favorite art materials and why?
a)Photography.
q) What/who influences you most?
a)Many people and many things shed influences to me. I'm a person who could be easily influenced.
q) Describe a typical day of art making for you.
a)Sorry, I couldn't understand this question quite well.
q) Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?
a)I'm not willing to transmit my philosophy out of my works to the audience, neither to change the society or to change the world. Just as a photo of your lover's shot by you. Even if it contens no design or technique at all, indeed, it is the best wok in your eyes when you put it beside your bed, or hang it on the very wall facing the door. There's no other works as perfect as this to get such a favor.
I'm always thinking about the two questions before and after my every shot. Did I really enjoy the shooting process? And how about the person shot by me. To live to to chase happiness. If you do it just for some other specific aim, it's more interesting, I think, to let us sit down and have a drink, or see a movie, or even talk about our first sex experience.
q) What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?
a)My interest is mostly focused on some indepandent art.
q) How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?
a)Mostly, my shot is very optional. I like to go out with camra in my hand. I shoot what ever interests me. Photography should happen on the road, and should be a sort of recording by the light of nature.
a)Of course, I also shoot some works upon my plan. First, a good idea comes into your mind, then the shooting process will be full of fun. For you don't know what kind of model you will meet; what will happen between the model and you; what effect will appear on the photo. Those are all you cannot control before hand. What-so-ever, it turns more alluring just because of this. Taking pictures, for me, is a kind of lure. Alike some hidden organs of some overwhelming invertebrates, photography always arouse my nerve. I drive all my emotion to chase it, though knowing there's no end. It seems like a bottomless black hole, absorbing the very subtle me constantly, and release the ropy me.
q) Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?
a)I'm emotionally attached to my works. (But sometimes you have to sell to live on. I'm Mr. Mammonist. I do need a lot of money. I cannot feel safe without money.)
q) Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?
a)Of course. It is music that stands closest to me and bring me the most insperation. Everyday I search new music and meet new people. I have suffered from sleep problems every single day. Everyday I talk. Siting on your sofa, on his floor, and in 24-hour fast-food restaurant. So many words to talk. We can't live without talking about emotion issues. We've got nothing to talk about but emotion. I'm so full of emotion that I lost it.
Now I listening to Crystal Castles, The Kills, Carsick Cars, ‘õ´¨¼ƒ(Jyun Togawa), Lin Yifeng, Pet Conspiracy.
q) Books?
a)Recently I'm reading "Yinger" written by Gu Cheng.
q) What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?
a)I've never believed in anything. Perhaps once I believe that darkness makes me comfort, that I open all the doors, that I believe I could call out loud my own name and rush to a specific ocean without a beach when the sun's stretch out , that I believe all the words you said to me when you're alone are as wrinkless as a white shirt in the sun... But I believe in nothing at all.
However, when you lost your faith, I think, you may get more space for your creativity.
q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?
a)Listen to music, write poetry, edit Moon Magazine, and search for love.
q) Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?
a)My personal photography exhibition will be open on July, 21st, and the NOFOUND one on July 8th.
q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?
a)Yes, in many ways.
q) Ask yourself a question you'd like to answer, and answer it.
a)What on earth is "porn" in my mind?
Fuck around. Fuck forth and backwards. You fuck me. I fuck you. You fuck my mom. I fuck your dad. Your dad fucks my mom. Your dad fucks my dad. My dad fucks your mom. My dad fucks your dad in return.
q) Any advice for aspiring artists?
a)ÓÐʲô½¨Òé¿ÉÒÔÄÃÀ´¼¤ÀøÆäËûÒÕÊõ¼ÒÂï
No. Nothing.
q) Where can we see more of your work online?
a)For more works of mine, welcome to visit websites listed below
a)The Bronx, NYq)How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?a)It’s what gets the people going.
q)How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?
a)Drawing… it always remained a constant in my life. I was probably as young as 5 when I started and really came into my own when I went to High School. I was fortunate to have a great group of peers that really inspired me creatively.
q)What are your favorite art materials and why?
a)The brush that I do my line work with. I take a #1 brush and slice off some of the bristles so I can get a really nice hair like type line.
q)What/who influences you most?
a)Listening to some good music, reading a good book, Photography, writing, and film are all crucial influences on my creative process.
q)Describe a typical day of art making for you.
a)Usually once I have a theme I start to collect references for images. That I will follow up with a quick thumbnail of what I want to accomplish visually with my design. From there I get my wood ready to paint on and apply my finished sketch. Once that’s in place I can start laying down some base colours and get busy.
q)Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?
a)The only goal I have is to be able to afford to paint and inspire for the rest of my career.
q)How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?
a)Could take a couple of weeks or a couple of months. Depends on the size and how much is going on in the composition.
q)Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?
a)It’s a beautiful thing to be able to create something that people enjoy enough to own. It’s definitely a pleasure.As far as emotional attachment I would say I’m probably more humbled and grateful than anything else.
q)Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?
a)Absolutely. Right now its been Heartless Bastards, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metallica, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, Diamond Nights, She Wants Revenge, The Bravery, Portishead, Gun’s N Roses, Brad Sucks, Raekwon and many more other jams that keep me rocking into the wee hours of the night.
q)Books?
a)Just finished reading Tripwire by Lee Childs… great story, cool characters. Now I’m reading Emperor by Conn Iggulden about the rise of two young roman soldiers…very compelling.
q)What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?
a)It’s all comes down to how much you put into it. There’s fundamental ways to inspire creativity and it requires what most successful skills need and that’s a strong work ethic, being organized, and prepared to work in a comfortable environment with music and good lighting.
q)What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?
a)I partake in the greatest gift man has given to humanity. My very own PS3 which gets daily burn and is no stranger to FIFA 09.
q)Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?
a)This Oct.9th I will have be having a solo show in the Project Room of Thinkspace Gallery along side Esao Andrews in the Main Room.
q)Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?
a)I check anything that crosses my path. I check out Juxtapoz magazine and their website from time to time to see what’s going on in the east and west coasts over here.
q)Any advice for aspiring artists?
a)Make sure work is quality and push it hard. Be patient but with some time the results should come.
a)I live in a small town in the North of England called St. Annes on sea. I work as a freelance film editor and so I work all around the U.K.
q)How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?
a)Ugly, twisted bodies, too many teeth and violence. The savagery of modern life is a constant theme.
q)How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?
a)Well, I still can’t call myself an artist! I started in the arts by doodling. Doodling through school and drawing little comic strips. It started to get more of a passion and obsession about 2 years ago and it started taking up all my freetime.
q)What are your favorite art materials and why?
a)Paper, cheap fineliners and markers. I like these because they are cheap and disposable. I draw a lot whilst working or on a train so they are very handy.
q)What/who influences you most?
a)Books and newspapers have a big influence. I read a lot and so I take big references from this. The internet is also a great influence in that I can look on flickr to see new artwork by people and seeing someone doing new artwork makes me want to do new artwork.
q)Describe a typical day of art making for you.
a)I start at around 10 at night. After work and dinner. I put on some punk rock (usually some 70’s punk like Stranglers, The Kids, The Damned or something like that) and then I start to sketch what I was thinking about that day. Some days the pics come quick and other days it’s very slow and these pics always turn out terrible.
q)Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?
a)For me drawing is just a real passion. It’s not about making money, making people happy, getting shows or fame, it’s only about getting what I want on to paper. My goal is to improve and try to make the image I am thinking of come out better.If I could make money from it it would be great but I think not many people will ever be interested in my work. Maybe a real dream is NEVER doing anything for Adidas, Nike or Computer Arts!
q)What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?
a)At university I had some history of art modules but art history and art theory does not influence me really. There are so many artists out there that interest me. I am not interested at all in computer art and GRAPHIC DESIGN but the real pen, ink, paint artists out there. Artists that I like are Satanik Mike, Mr Atomic, LL Cool Jo, Dav Guedin, and Crao Man.
q)How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?
a)If it is flowing I think like an hour or two hours. If not it can take me a couple of days. A couple of days of scrubbed out lines and frustration. I draw every day, if I don’t I get kind of miserable.
q)Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?
a)I love selling them. For me making the picture is the most important thing. The finished product after it is scanned is quite useless. They just stay there in a pile. I don’t even look at them again.So if someone wants it and likes it, then it is useful. I sell some and I give some away.
q)Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?
a)I love music. That punk rock ethic (of original punk, not this modern watered down pop like Blink 182, Offsping etc) of doing your own thing. Not caring about fashion or trend is definitely in me. Music that I am listening to now are old punk records. I also like all the Funkadelic/Parliament stuff. Right now I’m listening to the Best of Radio Birdman and New York Dolls.
q)Books?
a)I am a massive reader so this might be a boring old list. Books I really like and have made an impression are; Paradise Lost, The Divine Comedy, The Decameron, all books by Kobo Abe, Moby Dick, Bunuel’s autobiography, The Early History of Rome, Candide, all D H Lawrence……
q)What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?
a)I think the creative process is polluted through each person’s life experiences.Emotion and experience is something that can be lacking in peoples work.It is like Bukowski said, he wants to feel someone who screams when they burn. My work is very personal and includes all my fears, sadness, and experiences.
q)What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?
a)Listen to music, play guitar and read.
q)Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?
a)I have issue 3 of my magazine Good vs Evil coming out in mid March. It is the MAN VS MESCALINE issue so should be good.I am also doing a project with some Korean artists and it will be Korean artists and European artists. It is called DODOS and will include me, Heiko Mueller, Miruki Tusko, Ll Cool Jo, Niark 1 and Brecht Vandenbrouke.
q)Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?
a)I am not interested in scenes as they remind me of school cliques or something. Very incestuous and uninteresting. I like people working on their own stuff and their own style. I look at Flickr, Myspace and see a lot of peoples work. I don’t buy magazines.
q)Ask yourself a question you'd like to answer, and answer it.
a)Why haven’t you killed Coldplay yet? One day, one day!
