Tell us about your window installation… A signifier of childhood.
What/who inspires your art?
Nature inspires my work, especially how we interact and interpret it as people and as artists. My favourite tattoos are interpretations of nature.
Talk us through your design process… My design process for tattoo designs involves drawing it over and over again until it’s refined and imprinted on my brain. Then, when it comes to actually tattooing it, it feels like second nature.
SHEET Issue 17’s Theme is ‘Reflection’ - how important is it for us all to take time to reflect on our work and ourselves?
Reflection is inherent to the creative process. How we feel about a piece is an intuitive reflection, but expressing it and taking steps to address it is a critical reflection, which leads to the best work. I’d argue that the same applies to self-reflection.
Describe in 1 word how it feels to see your artwork come to life in a store window?
Monumental.
How did it feel translating your illustration style into a large-scale physical space in-store?
It was surreal. Taking a tattoo design, something that usually has a really specific/individual context and a human scale to it, and reimagining it at an architectural scale was a first for me. It's really cool to see my drawing style so big. Now I'm thinking of trying out some larger-scale tattoo pieces.
What message or emotion do you hope people take away when they see your installation?
If anything, I hope that people are inspired to draw. For me, drawing is really important to practice, and I need to be reminded of that and inspired to do it. This is just a hand-drawn design that was scanned in - nothing high tech, anyone’s art could be translated to a mural - hopefully people start designing their own.
Are there any hidden elements or personal touches in the design that people may not notice at first glance?
This design was actually based on a tattoo commission. They wanted to capture a childhood memory, and I think, as a mural, it's quite nostalgic and relatable.
What’s next for you - any projects or ideas you’re excited to explore after this collaboration?
I’ve really enjoyed working with Urban recently, it's been amazing to see my work translated to posters, t-shirts and now a mural. They feel alive in a different way. I’m thinking about more forms my drawings can exist in, maybe tattooing some of my shoes next…
What advice would you give to other emerging artists looking to bring their work into public spaces like this?
Well, I think it's important to practice your art. Do something small every day, and it's impossible not to improve. And make the most of the people who are willing to invest in you. SHEET was a great experience for me: finding platforms like this that showcase and support art and community.
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