Vol.123_Super Future Kid
Super Future Kid
from London, United Kingdom.
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Interviewed by Oh Jiyoung
Can you please tell us what kind of artist you are and as a person?
Well, I’d describe myself as a visual artist, I mainly work in painting and sculpture and my
work is basically driven by or revolves around the part of me that doesn’t want to grow up.
Myself as a person and myself as an artist is one and the same. I think about my work every day and what I do, see and find everyday also goes back into my work.
The wish to never grow up I’ve always had, when I was 5 I wanted to be 3, when I was 10, I wanted to be 7 and so on. The way the brain works as a kid is so much freer, it isn't yet shaped by social conventions or restrictions and the ordinary
looks a lot more interesting and inspiring.
Your name is very unique.
How did you get to work under the name 'Super Future Kid’?
I chose that name because I couldn’t identify as an artist using my given name.
In my view it didn't fit or represent my personality and artistic identity.
Choosing a name for myself was a lot more fun so that’s what I did. It has been my
artist name for 7 years now and it will still be when I’m 99.
Your work is very impactful and stimulates fantasy.
When you are working, is your work done through precise sketches and calculations in advance?
Thank you very much! I do work all the time but new ideas usually come when I go to bed. I always have my iPad under my pillow to draw and paint anything that comes into my mind just before I fall asleep. I find it’s the best time for my brain to get some good ideas.
And yes, my work is pretty much planned out by the time I prepare the canvas. I develop the image in digital form: I paint in several layers and this way I’m able to alter the hue, scale and shape of any detail. At some point the composition of the digital painting in its colors and shapes reaches a level at which I find it interesting enough to translate the sketch into an actual painting.
What kind of 'theme' do you often talk about in your work?
It usually always involves characters or people of any kind and the moment in which they cross paths with a certain feeling or emotion. I very often find that the person I painted reflects a part of my personality or character. It visualizes a part of me that I would not be able to find the right words for and that can only really be observed as a painted image.
What kind of work are you working on recently?
Right now, I am developing new ideas for sculptures and paintings that will be part of a solo show in Paris next year. I will also make a series of masks as well as a large head that can be used as a seat/stool. I’ve just had a 4 week break from my studio so I am super eager to finally get back to making all kinds of new work!
It's hard to define, but what do you think of art?
You are right, it’s tough to find the ultimate definition. In my view I’d say that art shows us who we are and it makes life fun or interesting.
We need to express ourselves and art is like a form of abstract communication in that respect. Some people prefer to use words or movements and others use shapes and colors, any way works. We can’t exist as human without art.
What are you really into these days?
Since I’ve just been to Japan for the past 3 weeks, that’s what I am really into. The visual culture over there is so vast and diverse it’s like going to an All You Can Eat buffet with a table over a kilometer long and with thousands of unique flavors and dishes. You want to taste them all and try to find a way to stuff your face with as many of those flavors as possible. What really caught my attention there is the constant clash of super old and super new, Zen and kawaii, like kabuki in a maid costume.
What would you be doing in the following month.
I need to make a lot of new work for my solo next year as well as for several upcoming group shows and commissions. Apart from that I just want to play and experiment with new materials and techniques.