EM: Occupation and Position

Visual Artist

EM: Could you tell us about your background?

I grew up in the middle of nowhere, on a farm  in rural England. There was nothing but trees and fields. I went to school for a while, where all I really wanted to do was draw. Then, I attended art school, on a graphic design degree where I ended up minoring in illustration. This is where I took the time to develop my kind of 3d illustration. 
 
EM: How much of the city of Norwich is translated in your work?

It’s hard to tell. Norwich is one of those pretty average cities, small, but still a fun place. It can get very comfortable, which I think can relate to my work. There are a lot of places that give you time to think. Nothing really moves very fast. I’d like to move to a more busy and thriving place where more opportunities and chances available. I think it’s important to experience different walks of life. There is so much more I need to learn. 
 
EM: What is your favorite city visited thus far, and why?

New York- it beats London hands down. When I went, my housemate and I stayed with a couple of his relatives. We got a chance to see New York like a local resident would and not a tourist. We rode the tube absolutely everywhere and didn’t hold back. It feels like a tough city but with a lot of love and compassion. Upstate is beautiful as well; it even has pine forests! New York is definitely a place I could see myself living permanently. London is a wonderful place, but it can be easy to get drawn into the day-to-day work routine. 
 
EM: What music/album is on heavy rotation for you at the moment?

The Cinematic Orchestra – Ma Fleur is a very personal album to me. It has a lot of emotions attached, so much, that it’s even quite hard to listen to at times. But I think that’s what music should be about, the memories.  I’ve also been listening to the Black Lips a lot. The band is so fun; they have a lot of energy and have no care in the world. 
 
EM: In regards to art work, it tends to be quite quirky, yet contains witty elements. Can you describe your design aesthetic?

I try to keep it humorous and strange, but make sure there’s room to discuss the subject at hand. Most often, there is a piece that focuses on consumerism within the food industry, or the way we view our footwear. I’m moving towards construction and design. My last piece of work was a pushcart food-stand that I created out of my concern for DIY products. I’m obsessed with the french term ‘Bricolage,’ which means to “make creative and resourceful use of whatever materials are at hand (regardless of their original purpose).” I want to highlight our “throw-away culture,” and show others it can be fun to be economical, making new things out of something old. I also would like it to be more about expression through individualistic means, especially in a world where everything is gradually starting to look and feel the same. 

 
EM: You commonly play around with inanimate and living objects, molding them into different creations. What is the meaning, if any, behind this? 

I try to use every object I create as a metaphor for something else. The hot dogs, which are dachshunds (sausage dogs) without any legs, was however, more of just a fun creation, a play on words. I have always been interested in the creation of characters that are very unorthodox. The donuts were a trick where I tried to make them look realistic. People have even attempted to eat them, only to discover they are made out of plastic. The feet sculptures were designed to show our relationship with footwear, how we manage to take more pride in our shoes than our actual bodies, including feet. It was also about me as well. I was a bit of a trainer fiend. I felt I needed to reassess what I was doing, so I started cutting up my own trainers (not all of them might I add). But changing things is something that I love. Creating something new and different, can become a surreal experience. 

Em: Where did your fascination with hot dogs, or food I should say, such as donuts evolve from? 

It’s hard to tell, but one day it really occurred to me how strange food is- hot dogs, donuts, waffles, junk food specifically. I’m fascinated with the way we consume so much. I want people to laugh at the absurdity of what I create, and hopefully, realize what’s wrong with the real thing. 
 
EM: What mediums do use?

Anything I can get my grubby little hands on. The sculptures are made out of Super Sculpey, a really durable and easy to mould polymer clay that you bake in the oven. I found this the best way to create because it’s plastic and it was very suitable for the subject matter I tackle. I also love drawing with a mechanical pencil, and hammering wood together. I’m very much a hands-on person; I take pride and joy in analog mediums. For some reason, digital software feels very impersonal to me. I appreciate being able to put my marks and prints on things, so you can see how it’s made. 
 
EM: Your work is very animated. Is there a specific message or emotion you are trying to convey?

Most of all, I want people to smile and be happy. But I want people to think about themselves, and what part they have in my subject matter as well. I would like people to look at our society differently and thinks about what needs improvement.

EM: Any personal thoughts you’d like to share?

If anyone is interested in working together or chatting, please get in touch with me. It’s always a good thing to dialogue and connect with people! Also, remember to eat good food and drink good beer. 

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