Interview with Beastman
Set to launch his solo show at the China Heights Gallery in Sydney on the 14th of November, we caught up with Beastman to give you a little taste of what to expect...
Hi Beastman. What have you been up to lately?
Just got back from Perth where I painted at Momentum Skate Shop and did a launch for the skate decks I designed for Folklore Skateboards. I’m back in Sydney now painting everyday for my solo show which opens on Friday 14 November at China Heights. I’ve also been doing freelance graphic design work and shooting some photos here and there, painted some skate decks for the upcoming No Comply exhibition and some vinyl records for the Peak Street show. Just put a new issue of [weAREtheIMAGEmakers] up online recently and I’m trying to get my skate on a couple times a week as well.
How did your unique visual style develop?
I just draw a lot, so my style developed over years of drawing in sketch books, trying out different character styles etc. I eventually got to the point with my characters a few years ago where I knew I had something unique and that was when I started pumping out paintings and exhibiting my work.
How did you first get into designing?
I was always into art and drawing from a young age, so it was a natural progression for me to study graphic design at TAFE straight out of high school. Growing up skateboarding always kept me interested in art, design and photography as well, it’s all a strong part of the skating culture I guess. I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t making some kind of art, always doing somethin.
Do you have a favourite artist, or artists?
I have heaps of favourite artists including – Michael Sieben, Trent Whitehead, Kill Pixie, Luke Taaffe, Nior, Bonsai, Dave Kinsey, Richard Colman, Andrew Schoultz, Kid Zoom, Reka, Meggs, Phibs, Lister, Jae Copp, Creepy, Yok, Bruno 9LI, Os Gemeos, Nunca, Blu, Ed Templeton, Jim Houser, Jeremy Fish, Cleon Peterson, Joulu, Twenty Eleven, Doze Green, Jeff Soto, Matthew Feyld, Don Pendleton, Plump Oyster, Mr Gauky, AJ Fosik and many more.
What can we expect to see from you in the future?
More exhibitions, more skating, more larger scale paintings and walls, different colour palettes, sculptures and whatever else I end up doing.
Where do you find inspiration?
I’m inspired by my family and friends, other artists I work and hang out with, all the stupid krap that goes at World’s End Studio on a daily basis, music, films, skateboarding, nature, heraldic imagery and the crazy world we live in….. Everything is changing so quickly these days, its an ongoing inspiration.
Links:
www.beastman.com.au
www.watim.com
www.stupidkrap.com
Don’t forget:
Beastman Solo Show
14th – 19th Nov
China Heights Gallery | 257 Crown St, Darlinghurst (Sydney)
beastman is the sickest.
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