machOne, art should be emotional

machOne, art should be emotional

Olimpia Gaia Martinelli | Dec 23, 2022 5 minutes read 1 comment
 

machOne believes that art should be emotional: it should provoke a reaction, a thought or a conversation. machOne often tries to paint expressions of emotion, or suggestions of sexuality...

What made you approach art and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)

Does anybody approach art? I feel the arts bleed from an artist, be it dance, music, drawing, painting or lyrics rather than any conscious decisions. As a child I was always drawing Superheroes, At 12 years old I was entered into the local Art College part time because I displayed ‘exceptional talent’ this started my exposure to Graffiti, some said this derailed my Art career, I say it defined it. Commissions followed, local, regional, national press coverage, an international Graffiti magazine. Later I ventured into designing and fitting custom car graphics and liveries and on to doing designs for professional motorsport teams. Now, after years of working in a creative industry and witnessing peoples creatives talents being overlooked in favour showing off technology or applauding sales teams, the only decision I made was to make my art my focus.

What is your artistic journey, techniques and subjects you have experimented with to date?

My creative journey has taken a few twists and turns but comic book art and graffiti seem to be my ‘gravity’.

What are 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?

Firstly I want my work to be identifiable as painted by a graffiti writer, not a street artist or pop artist trying to be ‘Street’ but a time served graffiti writer so an authentic feel is important to me. 

Secondly Even though my work has obvious influences from Roy Lichtenstein, my line art is always original, I see this as a positive even though many people like to see the usual Pop Art iconography.

Thirdly, a long career in commercial graphics has given me insight into materials, methodology and quality many in the graffiti/urban contemporary genre don’t have.

Although I have no idea if any of these things ‘differentiate’ me from other artists.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration can come from anywhere, ads, posters, books, previous paintings, books… 

What is the intent of your art? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?

I believe art should be emotive, it should provoke a reaction, thought or conversation. I often try to paint expressions of emotion, or suggestions of sexuality, Also I have always loved how comic books use stylised text to set mood, tone or background which is something I try to utilise whilst using themes of order and chaos in varying percentages which reflect my view of the world.

What is the process of creation of your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technique, inspiration from art classics or other)?

I tend to plan each piece before painting, I used to draw everything out on paper but now I also create my ‘plan’ digitally before beginning painting on canvas, it allows me to finalise colours, alter positions or crop, sometimes things change during painting but there is always a plan in the beginning.

Are there any innovative aspects to your work? Can you tell us which ones?

The word ‘Graffiti’ comes from the the Italian ‘Graffito - to scratch, engrave, make a mark’ and using Spray paint the edges are often messy, I use a scalpel to cut and scuff away the excess paint to create my clean line style, it can take many hours but I like that my method has roots in graffiti’s origins and the clean finish edges that results.

Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with?If yes, Why?

Spray paint and markers. What can I say…. Graffiti  

Where do you produce your work? At home, in a shared or private studio? And within this space how is your production organized?

I paint in a space at home currently though a private studio is in my plans. I paint outside often because SprayPaint can get everywhere especially in my ‘Abstract’ moments, throwing paint or fat cap SprayPaint strokes creating texture or tarnish.

Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for shows or exhibitions? If so, what do you gain from it?

Honestly, I have no idea how the fine art game works, being an anonymous vandal is a far cry from meeting and greeting art collectors, speaking to galleries still feels arrogant, but I understand the marketing aspect and no one knows my work like me so I have begun to reach out more but that is still very much a work in progress.

How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your figure as an artist in the future?

In the 80’s I was running about in train yards and bus depots painting big colourful images on trains and buses, in the 90’s I was painting huge murals and creating livery for street racers, in the 00’s I was being paid to be in the aforementioned bus depots to wrap big colourful images on buses, in the 10’s I was designing graphics packages for motorsport teams and being invited to racedays and now in the 20’s I have paintings in art gallery’s and being bought by collectors… my only aim for the future is to keep moving and improving and take hold of the opportunities presented to me.

What is the topic, style, or technique of your latest artistic production?

I am currently planning a sequel to ‘Cataclysm’ of similar size and style, the title is ‘Revelation’ and is very ‘Graffiti Pop’ in similar vain to its predecessor.

Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?

In 2017 I entered an Art Battle, 30 minutes live competitive art in the centre of a live audience, the experience taught me to plan my projects, working ‘off the cuff’ didn’t play to my strengths. 

If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why would you choose it?

Many will choose pieces by some great masters, for me Mode2’s character on the cover of ‘SprayCanArt’ is legendary, the book itself and Mode2’s cover was an inspiration to millions of kids to pick up the paint and create. To be that much of an inspiration to so many to go out and paint is immeasurable.

If you could invite a famous artist (dead or living) to dinner, who would it be? How would you propose him/her to spend the evening?

One should never meet one’s heroes.



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