www.lilymaemartin.com
Champ was familiar with Lily's elegantly delicate illustrations and paintings. Emotive and eloquent. Being introduced throu gh a friend brought it full circle. Australian-born, she is now Berlin-based and creating more and more wonderful pieces in a city that she says, "is so inspiring for so many reasons". In between bringing a new human into the world, moving to Berlin and upcoming 2012 L.A. shows, we asked her a few q's just to catch up!
ACM | When did you begin your passion for illustrating and painting, and your thoughts as a profession for you now?
LMM | I think I really started taking it seriously when I was taking part of the Young Ambassadors program at the NGV (in 2003) I had already had an exhibition but didn't really know where I wanted to go from there. This program allowed me to work with artists such as Jill Orr and Rosslynd Piggott, who I found so inspiring. Through this program I learnt a lot about the arts and artists and I just knew that going to VCA would be an important step for me, so I applied to study there in 2004 and was accepted!
During my time at VCA I went through the gamut of being an 'arts student', I explored myself as an artist and a person, I got experimental, I got nude, I even tried making bad bad music, I got told that I was meant to get more serious and then I pushed myself very hard in the final year to win great grades, a few prizes and a scholarship. I really grew there.
I was also exhibiting in galleries such as 696 (an independent art space which has sadly closed in recent years) and so I felt I had a good balance between the fine art world as well as the underground art world. But it became very clear to me that my style didn't completely lend itself to either world and so I felt I had to take my practice abroad. I loved the scene in Australia but places such as Europe and America have more of a flourishing community, that can support artists like me, unless I still wanted to do band artwork or end up painting tea pots, I had to get out.
ACM | You are originally from Australia, now based in Berlin. How has the change in environment inspired you?
LMM | Berlin is so inspiring for so many reasons; the history, the culture, the fact that there are so many people here from all over the world. There isn't much money, but in terms of getting out there and getting involved with what is going on, meeting people and forming ideas, this is the place to be.
I am lucky enough to have a studio at the Kreuzberg Betanien, which was a hospital from 1840 until 1970. The building itself is amazing and there are famous artists from all over the world doing residencies here. You just wouldn't have a space like this in Melbourne, and if there was it certainly wouldn't be available to an artist like me.
ACM | What are your upcoming projects?
LMM | I just participated in the DEER Berlin project No. Five (Opened this year in October in France) and have been invited to participate in more exhibitions in L.A next year, which I am so excited about. I hope to get over to L.A this time!
I am also working on a book of squirrels which I plan to self publish, and I also have been working on a few sketches for a graphic novel about birth.
In my studio I am currently working on a portrait series which I am not sure what to do with, but I wanted to use this time to make a larger body of work.
I like to have a lot going. People tell me I produce a lot but I don't feel I do as I have so many ideas and only about 50% of them ever come to fruition. Imagine what I could achieve if I didn't have to eat, sleep and shower!!
www.chrisamfo.com
Chris Amfo is a London-based stylist who has styled the likes of many a talent. His portfolio is quality over quantity. And we don't mean that in a car-salesman-sorta-way. He's styled for i-D and The New Order magazines for god sakes!
We gave him a Q and A which he answered all in one go. One word: efficient!
Introducing...Chris Amfo-Okoampah....
'From doing a bit of modelling when I was younger I got to see first hand how stylists and photographers work. I guess I got into it due to having a key interest in clothing just anyone doing something fashion related. I'm particularly inspired by the contrasting attitudes and values towards style that you get within society, be it people that spend thousands on luxury brands each season or those who couldn't care less what they wear. I always try to reference different feelings like these and have a sense of humour in my work and personal style.
Some of my favourite things are from Tonite by Fergadellic, Hermes, Casely-Hayford, Blackmeans, Bape, Uni-qlo, Nike...
I have done work for magazines i-D and new order, I'd like to shoot for Champfest one day. Im not sure what great advice I can give as I'm just looking to progress, stay busy and learn a whole lot more myself.'
info@chrisamfo.com
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We're always on the lookout for fellow folk doing good things. Please submit your work to us! Any field, sport, photography, fashion, design or art.
Are you folk with a similar philosophy to us - incorporating your work as a lifestyle for creativity and innovation? We'd love to introduce you to other like-minded creatives.
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20/01/11
katja-mouvlin.com
Katja Mouvlin is a Melbourne-based artist who has just been involved in some good times and grand exhibitions. She's super lovely, with an easy-going persona to match her witty comics. Why is she so rad? These things just happen. But she's definitely one talent to keep an eye out for, supremely matching her eye-widening illustrations!
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AC // What are your tools of the trade.
KM // Primarily use mechanical pencils and copic fineliners, and i've recently been using Posca pens as i've started to scale up pieces for pasteups and installations. I'd like to learn how to paint though - i want to be able to do multi-storey works and junk but i lack the technical ability which is lame.
AC // Do you remember the first drawing you did and thought it could become something serious?
KM // Naw. As an amigo (Jeremiah Johnston AKA Nullsleep) once said to me "every artist must have some degree of self loathing" I mean, i don't often think much of my work which is OK because it compels me to draw even more. Works can be finished but the mental process behind them is not. Art is very much a compulsion for me - i think the need to make a concept manifest itself physically - to have a concrete representation of your mind, is a powerful drive. So perhaps the turning point for me was when i realised i was able to accurately transfer my thoughts into images. I just hope i can go somewhere with it.
AC // Do you draw particular pieces with a friend or person in mind?
KM // Absolutely. I am a complete narcissist, so most of my works are about me which is rad. My comics report almost exclusively on the mundane happenings of my little life. I mean, it's not like i have anything important to say or a radical message to push. So i just draw about what is important to me - that is things that happen to me and how i perceive them, however angst ridden and insignificant they might be. But really i find it all rather amusing - i don't take myself seriously at all.
AC // You've lived in Germany before, how did this shape your illustration style?
KM // It's hard to say - it was a long time ago, and as all my experiences shape my style, it's hard to make distinctions between what came from where.
It definitely gave me a greater appreciation of classical art and architecture as i spent much of my time in galleries and churches, however i was too young to be influenced by the culture so much. So i don't think there are many germanic influences on my work today.
AC // How is it for an emerging artist in Melbourne? Is there a sense of community or do you need to hustle a bit..
KM // It's been interesting! Up until a couple months ago, I knew practically no other melbourne artists, and most of my amigos didn't know I even made art at all. That all changed when i met Georg (Whelan) and Snotrag, two horrendously talented and prolific street artists. Through them I met a whole bunch of cosmic cats who dig drawing as much as I do. It was only since meeting these amigos that I started to do collaborations, installations and exhibitions. The whole lot of them share the same ethos - 'get involved'.
AC // And your latest show..!
KM // My most recent show was at No Vacancy Gallery! The No Vacancy show was totally boss - I guess I was mainly honoured that I was able to have my work on the wall alongside thirty or so profoundly talented Melbourne artists. It seemed like such an unexpected jump from drawing alone in my bedroom. It was nice.
AC // 'Cunt' on your bicycle helmet is well good! Challenges whats acceptable or not in todays' society. There's a good dose of profanity in all your work too, is there a message you're trying to get across?
KM // A lot of the profanity in my work is just poking fun. 'Fucking cunt' written large on my helmet is laughing at myself for being a rate serious fixie rider in a gang of one yo. I don't take myself seriously, i'm too retarded to be profound.
But my ambition in life is to be hardcore so i guess the swearing factors in somewhere there too.
AC // Give me a run down of your perfect day in Melbourne starting from breakfast! Cafes, galleries, bars and hangouts...
KM // I actually find it really hard to answer this question because my favourite days are always somewhat ambiguous - unplanned, unexpected and exciting. However a day involving coffee, cigarettes, drawing comics, collaborating, drain exploring, vino, skateboarding and starwatching would be pretty swell. But anything is fun if you are around rad cats.
Thanks Katja!!
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18/10/10
Artist Interview
She's an Andorran-based photographer capturing the effervescence and beauty of daily life in each image taken. Recently showcased in Lodown's Issue 71, she is also the face of international beauty company Les Ettes, representing their latest collection Want-Ette. We at Champ caught up with Crista in Berlin during Bright Tradeshow, and got the scoop on the latest, this girl is one to watch!
CHAMP: Hi Crista ++
As always- your photos are amazing.
CL: Thanks!!
CHAMP: Firstly, who or what was the first thing you remember photographing?
CL: I think it was a bird at a zoo on a school trip or maybe my cat...either way, an animal, no surprise there.
CHAMP: Your photos reflect a curiosity and old-school nostalgia - does this reflect your personality too?
CL: "Haha yeah, totally. I'm really nerdy about history. I think in an ideal world I would love to have lived through the late 60's and seventies, it's such a visually beautiful period as well as being a time of change, people started experimenting with completely new ways of thinking, they were passionate about what they believed in, we tend to be a little anaesthetised now. But I'm just being nostalgic!On another note, I'm definitely interested in those nebulous memories, warped by the passage of time, that create a sort of collective nostalgia. I like the concept of trying to give a face to a word, in my opinion, nostalgia is inextricably linked to beauty because as humans we like to make our lives and our memories more beautiful, no?"
CHAMP: What's your camera/s of choice? And do you prefer digital or traditional film?
CL: "I generally work with a Hasselblad 500 C/M, my uncle used to use it in the seventies, so it's pretty old school. I've recently purchased a Nikon FE2 from the eighties, I'm insanely happy with it, I think I'm going through a 35mm phase whereas last year I was fascinated with medium format. I love traditional film, I don't personally think that digital captures the same amount of emotion as film does, there's something so much more complete about film. Having said that I do work in digital as well and depending on my mood, I might select it over analogue, it depends on the result I'm looking for."
CHAMP: Following your style of dream-like images, you're moving into darker moods, shooting exclusively in black and white- whats the inspiration and vision for this change?
CL: "I had a bit of crisis this summer, it was slightly triggered by the use of the digital camera for a shoot and I felt the images looked too cute and shiny, it didn't feel right. It's important to think seriously about what inspires you and what kind of images you want to create and to not get lost by what is 'expected' or others are doing, I think this happens a lot once the line between work and personal projects becomes fuzzy. I'm inspired by travel, mythology, dreams, femininity, history, and I wanted to get back to that state in which your inspirations become slightly obsessive, so black and white is somehow like starting from zero again, it's stark and strong. It probably has something to do with going into Autumn as well, in Spring some of the photos I was taking were ridiculously over optimistic, now it's time to come back down to earth hhaha."
CHAMP: You work closely with Les Ettes and are currently representing their latest Want-Ette collection. How did this unique partnership come about?
CL: "I met Claudia (Les Ettes marketing guru and all round incredibly creative and fun girl) a few years back in the snowboarding scene, and we kept in touch. Over time Claudia and I became good friends and I met the other Les Ettes girls, Carmela and Silvi, and we all just clicked and got on so well. Les Ettes is a lovely family of talented, determined, creative and individual women, they don't even mind me passing out in their booth during tradeshows! So being asked to represent one of their perfumes has been a massive honour and so much fun."
CHAMP: What beats do you listen to while working?
CL: "My boyfriend's band (http://resonans.tumblr.com/) beach house, broken bells, bear in heaven, band of horses, fleet foxes, deerhunter, active child um lots of joy division, bauhaus, the smiths, stone roses, edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros, crocodiles, Miami horror etc etc When I'm working I tend to get obsessed with one song and listen to it over and over again, this week's has been two dancers by wild beasts, I think by next week I'll never be able to listen to it again!"
Thanks Crista!
xo
18/10/10
CHAMP: Nick! Your personal passion for track bicycles and bespoke custom builds stemmed the birth of your store
Saint Cloud! How did this idea initially begin?
Nick: Basically I just wanted to combine 2 passions in the one store, bikes and apparel. It was quite
spontaneous in that there was only 6 months between the idea being conceived and the opening of
the store. That being said, a retail space of some kind has always been a dream of mine.
CHAMP: Where does the name come from?
Nick: The name was very hard to come up with! I ended up naming it after Saint Cloud, a commune in the
western suburbs of France which held the first ever recorded bike race. Admittedly we do pronounce
it differently from the French.
CHAMP: What is Saint Cloud's ultimate philosophy?
Nick: To create a place that becomes a centerpiece among the fixed gear community. To create a space
where customers have a large impact on the stores direction. The shop is a place for people to share
their passions for bikes, fashion, art and lifestyle. Pretty much copied that from the website, damn
I'm lazy!
CHAMP: Frames in the store?
Nick: We have Cinelli, GOrilla (RIP), Volume, Starfuckers, Pake and we love our assorted NJS frames.
CHAMP: Tell me a bit about the products stocked in Saint Cloud, your reason for choice of each piece of
apparel or accessory.
Nick: As far as the bike parts go, I like to stock a lot of Japanese components as they are so well regarded
in the track bike world. That being said, we do stock a large number of American, Italian and Aussy
products as well. A lot of our product would not be found anywhere else in Australia. The apparel and
accessories are a mix of local and international artists. My basic buying procedure is to buy what I
like and have confidence that other people will like it too!
CHAMP: Amongst the Mike Giant illustrations hanging in store, any other artists local or international, that
you admire?
Nick: A Thai artist called Mamafaka kindly did an amazing illustration on our wall a few months ago while
living in Australia. The monster is on the homepage of the website.
A couple of other artists I admire are Meggs and Kaws. I love them both and plan to one day hang
some original pieces in the store.
CHAMP: In your personal travels interstate and abroad, what are your thoughts on Melbourne vehicle drivers
and their opinion towards Melbourne cyclists?
Nick: I haven't had all that much experience cycling abroad, but I find Melbourne drivers quite good to us.
Of course everyone’s had their bad experience with cars no matter which City you live in. I've been
lucky enough to only be tooted and yelled at a few of times, but friends have been chased down and
even intentionally nudged by some fuckers.
CHAMP: What does the future hold for Saint Cloud and Nick Mahoney!
Nick: We have some very exciting collaborations on the horizon. This is something I love - 2 companies
working together to create something really special and unique. I will continue to scour the earth for the finest products available as well as utilize the space to hold events like premieres and product launches.
I'm going to continue to ride, travel, eat, buy bikes and meet/hang out with cool people.
Nick will be visiting Japan in October, travelling through Tokyo to.....Osaka......., hit him up!
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