Interview with GreatEclectic
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As an artist: GreatEclectic blends the most abstractly familiar elements of life – love, envy, wealth, wrath, perception, desire, greed, necessity, lust, identity, indulgence, ideals, ego, morals, said bankruptcy, and fears – with the rawest veneer of famous faces. His pieces are pastiches – whole in-and-of themselves but even more so in context of one another. Pop & Politics are alive and well-contented bedfellows in this world. The personal space stands as the pre-eminent public place of judgment. Shadows dance in rigid rhythmic formation with neon strobes. The entire world coalesces into a kaleidoscopic cultural landscape… where we are presented with our own selves from before the mass-mediated mirror of Pop life. His art lives, loves, laughs, lauds, lambastes, legislates, and promulgates on behalf of true Pop. It unravels the American tapestry because we were wound too tightly; it dims the lights because they blind so brightly; it hearkens to the dawn though it heralds nightly; and all it takes is a liberated lid to refresh the mind and see what I see: if you want to see a sad boy shine – pay him; if you want to see a sad boy smile – pay attention. (Words by Swiper Bootz)
Hi GreatEclectic, today MoW selected 6 of your artworks, can you tell MoW why you chose those music artists ? What was the music behind the artworks ? What inspired you to create them ?
I'm a POP kid, so I'm always paying attention to what's essentially POPular. And not for nothing, a lot of these artists are huge inspirations for a number of reasons. I admire that fearless, "I don't give a fuck attitude." If I had to describe myself, I'd say I was the creative kid of GAGA and Kanye. My inspiration comes from my reaction to what's happening in the world around me.
Why is music important to you and your art?
I love art, but I love music maybe even more. If I could sing, I'd be a singer. LOL. I definitely have musician envy to some extent, because music is so universal. I'm usually listening to music while I'm making art, and even when I'm not, I'm usually working on a piece inspired by a musician. music is a huge part of what I do.
If you had to choose between the artworks presented today, which of your artwork would be your favorite ? And why ?
Out of all the ones presented today I think it'd be the Nicki Minaj portrait. I love something about all of my works, even the ones without a recognizable pop star, but I love the space I was in when I created that piece. for me, it was when everything began to click and I began my current process which is churning out work constantly, and it was also when I started embarking on this stylistic journey I've been on.
Can you tell MoW more about the techniques you used. How old is your technique? How did it start? How long does it take you to make an artwork ?
I started around five or six years ago. At the time I was heavy into photography. I was doing a lot of concert photography and fashion editorials. As my ideas got more ambitious, I began collaging on my photos and that led to me adding spraypaint, drawing, photoshop elements into my current work. My technique is hodgepodge of processes. anything goes really. It doesn't take long. Even without a concept. I usually am working on more than one piece at a time and by the end of the night I would have finished at least five or six works I'm comfortable with releasing.
Do you have plans on creating new artworks insipired by music ?
Always and forever. I'm constantly working on new works.Aas long as good POP music keeps coming out, I'll keep creating.
Do you listen to music when you’re working ? If so, what kind of music ?
Yes, and any and everything goes. It's whatever fits the mood I'm aiming to achieve with the piece.
What is the song you liked the most lately? The album ? What was the last gig you went to ?
What So Not - "How High You Are" // I've really been into this song. It's breezy and feels so much like Summer.
Dead Right - Rising Tide // I've played this song all summer
Lana Del Rey's "Ultraviolence" is the last full album I listened to...
The last gig was The Telekinetic Walrus at Pianos NYC. I'm looking forward to seeing D'Angelo at AfroPunk this month.
Are you a musician yourself ? If so can you tell MoW more about your music projects ?
Yes. I've released a couple of musical projects where I produced and other artists such provided vocals. I haven't released anything in a while but I do plan to make more soon. Check out my Bandcamp page here
Find out more about GreatEclectic here :
