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Award-winning
Exhibiting Artist & Social Entrepreneur
CHRIS GUEST
(UK)
“Unsteady hands of a steady talent”
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Christopher Guest with his exhibited work - Photograph by Simon Bamford |
Drawing with an architectural pen, the nib of which is one-tenth the size of a regular biro pen, artist Christopher Guest, who graduated from Staffordshire University with both B.A. Hons and Masters Degrees in Fine Art, has emerged as one of the most original British artists of this young 21st Century.
His obsession for fragmented markings seems to be the medium through which he reflects his natural ability for connecting with a kind of a subconscious truth. This truth responds to the quantum principle of a seemingly chaotic order that unravels into a perfect design.
The grade of detail in his art is such, that everybody, art savvy or not, can easily feel as if absorbed by a surreal parallel world in which everything, somehow, makes sense. In other words, his art is one of those that you never grow tired of, always offering another little discovery around an inked curve or corner.
With over 40 exhibitions spanning the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Poland, Japan and Argentina, this young talented artist has a varied taste for different techniques. In all of them, from ink to paint, from spray paint to gocco print, he manages to reflect his enrapturing authenticity.
Community orientated and generous to the core, this amazing artist has a vision in which art is not only recreational activity but also a medium through which minds and souls can be healed and freed.
In 2008, he co-founded, with artist Grega Greaves, Creative Arts North Staffs (C.A.N.S.), featured in BBC news (local).
C.A.N.S is a community arts organisation, based in North Staffordshire (UK), which works with deprived young people, promoting community cohesion and addressing anti social behavior. |
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Christopher, we know you have been especially busy this weekend, with a solo exhibition at the Cornerhouse Gallery in Manchester, thank you for finding the time for this interview.
Yes it's really busy, but I'm a big fan of Wonderlance so thanks for asking!
1. MDM_ Thanks! How would you define your art, Christopher? Does it suffer in any way with this labeling formality?
1. CHRISTOPHER_ I tend to let others define my artwork- I've found pigeon holing it into "doodles" or "streams of consciousness" drawing can be both liberating and restricting. I have an urge to draw- a really strong urge where sleep or distractions are impossible and in many cases I have no idea what pictorial direction it will take, so in some ways my practice is similar to automatism although I'd never describe it as so.
2. MDM_ Did you always have a clear idea of the path that you wanted to follow at a professional level or did art pushed through in your life, despite having other interests?
2. CHRISTOPHER_ I've always drawn and had a determination to express myself through art- my earliest memories are of drawing as a young child and not sleeping until I've completed what I needed to do.
But I never thought for a second this compulsion would lead to a professional career. I was always adamant in expressing myself visually, yet thought only having a "real job" would allow me to do it.
I see drawing as something I HAVE to do as opposed to something that will earn my living. |
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3. MDM_ Which would you say that are your strongest artistic influences and which your most consistent personal support?
3. CHRISTOPHER_ There are aesthetic similarities between my work and artists like Adolf Wolfli, Madge Gill, Laure Pigeon-their use of repetitive patterns, grids and organic lines form a visual expression of whats happening in their minds and create new environments they can both exorcise and immerse themselves in. Although I love their work and that of other Outsider Artists I'd have to say day to day life and the experiences from it are my biggest inspiration. I'm fascinated by residue and imprints of conversations and believe every action and inaction is stored somewhere, my drawings are just a visual representation of them.
4. MDM_ Would you be so kind as to explain to our readers how art can heal, at different levels?
4. CHRISTOPHER_ In terms of my own artwork I see making art as a way to remain on an even keel, its a way of releasing those imprints of memories I mentioned.
I also run a community arts company away from my personal practice so in terms of art healing it's very tangible. I've taught on drugs rehab projects and worked with gang and gun criminals/victims and seen some difficult things to understand, but watching someone who has never picked up a paint brush start to lose themselves and their anxiety in art is brilliant to help foster.
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5. MDM_ Have you noticed any significant difference on the interpretation or reception of your art depending on the culture or background of the person looking at it?
5. CHRISTOPHER_ I dont think there's any particular demographic to those that like my work although I'm really pleased music fans are into my smaller drawings such as Britannia, Fragments and Death Race 1900. I love the work of Raymond Pettibon and 80's punk rock posters- the hand drawn and honest imagery. Hearing others interpret my work is a great feeling, it's good to know I'm connecting with someone through my artwork.
6. MDM_ Do different art techniques help to express different emotions or states of mind?
6. CHRISTOPHER_ I think extremely tight drawing detail can be as expressive as a wild brush stroke, it all lies with the intention of the artist. I prefer pen and ink because I work over 10 hourly periods throughout the night- I dont have to interrupt the sessions with washing brushes, managing palettes etc. I can just draw and draw- without wanting to sound twee its certainly a compulsion.
7. MDM_ In your opinion, is everybody creative or are some just more creative and inspired than others?
7. CHRISTOPHER_ I don't think creativity lies in being able to draw well or to sculpt an amazing statue- I think it's the way we see and interpret the world in our and others actions. I think the more experimentation, play and risk taking we do early on in life can lead to this being embedded in us as adults.
Drawing, to me, is relaying the feelings we derive from seeing onto a surface- to me it's not about making a perfectly realistic record of something- machines can do that.
I see so many young people fearful of making mistakes because of the rigidity in their art classes. Experimental mark making and creative risk taking should be valued as much as figurative drawing in schools.
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8. MDM_ We have noticed that you sign your art pieces with “8”. Does this type of signature hold a special meaning for you?
8. CHRISTOPHER_ The 8 is something that's really significant to the works and the mental processes that create it, I'd rather let the viewer derive their own significance from it.
9. MDM_ Please, tells us about any current and future projects that you may have, both as an exhibiting artist and with your organisation, C.A.N.S.
9. CHRISTOPHER_ I've got a solo show opening in July at Manchester's Cornerhouse and then two shows in Poland, after that I'll be working on some ceramic pieces for a show in the States. I've just done a record sleeve for a band called Ox Scapula which I'm pleased with so I hope to do more music related work. I'm also part of a collaboration project called Pretty Vacant which occupies empty shop windows and I'm working on a zine about animals revenge on humans!
Creative Arts North Staffs is going great too, I'm so happy to be teaching young people to realise their skills. We're about to start a busy summer, including a huge graffiti project to look forward to- as long as the UK weather behaves! Our website should be finished soon but if people want to see what we do they can see this short film from a recent project: |
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MDM_ Christopher, we hope more and more people realise about the great social work that C.A.N.S. is doing, whilst we continue to enjoy your wonderful art. Thank you again for sharing your world with our readers.
CHRISTOPHER_ Thanks for including me in MDM, can I give a quick shout out to Mark Brereton for all his support lately- super talented graphic designer.
CHRISTOPHER GUEST's WEBSITE
www.christopherguest.tumblr.com
C.A.N.S. contact email:
creativeartsnorthstaffs@googlemail.com
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