State of the Art Interview Series - Seamus Heidenreich  February 11, 2010

Sure, what might go through the head of a mid-20s male, tends to connote all things sexual; it goes without saying. But there are some far-flung corners of the young masculine psyche that tend to remain uncharted territory. That is, until an artist like Seamus Heidenreich comes along, and shows us all, that men, really are, weirder than we thought. In Heidenreich's delicate and whimsical watercolors, there are tiny people with tiger heads, living in zebra-print trees, and court jesters riding pink springbocks. It's a place where reality and dream collide, and even the artist himself can offer no explanation for where it all comes from. Audiences everywhere though, (particularly young men) seem to respond to this offbeat sensibility. Perhaps it's because, we're all big kids at heart, and although we appear seduced by the world of hyper-reality; none of us could turn down an adventure into the realm of make- believe.

Despite having no formal training, Heidenreich is a skilled illustrator, exhibiting in galleries like Chalkhorse and Somedays, both in Surry Hills. Very soon, he will be temporarily relocating to Berlin, to make some art and eat some saurerkraut. No doubt those Germans are pretty crazy, but Heidenreich will definitely give them a run for their money. He's also venturing into the world of animation; so, just when you thought his characters couldn't get any stranger, or his scenarios more surreal, everything starts to move...

Seamus Heidenreich will be exhibit as part of Pedestrian and ABSOLUT's State Of The Art series this Thursday. To RSVP click here.

Seamus, if you had to, how would you describe your style to a stranger?

Well i'd start off by saying that it's quite illustrative. Each image is like taking one scene, one clip, from a whole storyline. Whether it's from the beginning or end, or the most climactic point from an entire scenario... They capture moments from make- believe worlds, but they still manage to have a realistic twist jammed in there..

What do u mean by that?

When i draw or paint, I use life experiences as inspiration for the story, and then I whack it into this strange, surreal world. So everything will have some relevance to day- to- day life...our battles, our relationships...Even though my scenarios seem completely off-beat, they're also somehow accessible...

What medium do you like to work with the most?

I don't have a favorite; I like to mix it up, otherwise, I get bored working with the same medium. I normally work on three pieces at a time, one in ink, one in ink and gouache, and then I just go for the whole mixed bag, acrylic, enamel, gouache, watercolour... just depends what i'm painting...

Which artists do you draw inspiration from?

To tell you the truth, I don't look at other artists work...I just try and keep my own processes and thoughts so i don't get tainted or spoiled. I know that may sound a bit lame, but i'm more inspired by music, or even a quote or a statement that a random person has said, which I can twist and turn, and re-illustrate in my own humor...

Have people tried to compare you to other artists, or is it impossible?

I've been compared to Blue, an Italian artist who does large- scale murals... just in the way that some of my pieces will deal with transformation...

So you've not had a great deal of formal training, do you think this has been positive for you?

I definitely don't think it has hindered what I do, or the experiences i've had. I think getting straight into the art scene, for example, when I first started assisting an artist; seeing how he lived and how he worked was much more rewarding for me, than, say, going to universty and having to develop my work on the conceptual side of things... damn that man. University. I don't know if I could handle it.

Well it's not for everyone. I don't doubt that. So without teachers and peers guiding you, how did you first come to be exhibited?

I actually got approached by Somedays Gallery in Surry Hills; they were re-launching their gallery space, and I just worked down the road, and they knew I painted and i'd done a few things for them, here and there, so they asked me if i'd like to be in a show and I thought, why the hell not. Hell yeah! I was showing with another artist from Sweden, and it was a really successful night, we had a good time, and alot of people turned up. It was a bit nerve wracking though, to expose what i'd been working on for the very first time. But the feedback was positive, so it made me just want to keep going...

How has your art making evolved over time?

It's actually gone back in time really...I started off only doing small little bits, here and there, at home, or on the street, and then i got a studio space and shared it with a group of artists at the Worlds End Gallery, in Hibernian House. Now I actually don't have a studio, and i work out of a living room at my parents house...

I've noticed that your work isn't only confined to paper or to canvas. You like to move onto walls... and even buildings. Do you do alot of street art?

Yeh, I've done stuff here and there, and that's how I got into that whole scene of drawing and painting. I was really influenced by my brother who was into graffiti. Although, I wasn't really attracted to the lettering as much as the characters. So just slowly over time, i'd travel, and then I realised I love to paint outdoors. I've actually just finished a mural in the past few weeks in Surry Hills, at the back of a place called the Carrington Hotel on Bourke Street. There is a little back lane behind that and you can just walk up the street and turn left...you can't miss it.

Are you going to get in trouble for this though?

I actually asked the owner of the pub first if I could do it and he said it was totally fine. But I did have the cops come past that day and inquire. The thing is, if you drop your cans and run, you look guilty, but if you just stand there and keep your cool, you look legit. That day, the cops spoke to me for a while and stood around to watch me paint...

You probably made the building look better anyway...

Yeah i think Surry Hills needs a bit more colour and life...

I agree. So in terms of other avenues, I hear that you're thinking about going into animation?

Yes I am.... I'm actually working with a cool motion graphics designer, Gera Frascaroli...He's really talented, so I was stoked when he approached me about my artwork. I've known him for a long time and we're super excited to get my pictures in motion and see what comes of that...

Another plan of yours is to move to Berlin for a while....

Yeah, I leave in May...

How did that come about?

Well, I was over in Berlin last summer and I did a Google search on artist residencies there. Then I had a meeting with these people who ran this program called "Culturia", for artists under 30 internationally, and they showed me the spaces they were offering, like in the back of an old tobacco factory, right in the middle of Berlin. Then I came back to Australia to have my first solo show last November, at Chalkhorse Gallery in Surry Hills. I replied to the Berlin offer and I heard back a month ago. So I leave in May for four months, and i'll work on some paintings and some sculptures and have a show there.

Before you leave though, you're part of our show at the Stairwell Gallery... Whats the story behind your work "Two Wrongs Make a Monster"?

Well, the thing is, I never really start with a name, that comes at the end. I just kinda mix words around.. but I suppose it's about two gypsies, walking through the desert, and they meet and decide to have an E.S.P battle. Through this battle, something bigger and better is created, whether good or evil.

Interesting... are you sure you didn't just take something?

(Laughs) Thats actually the first time i've ever had to explain a work...

Or make up a story?

Exactly.

On a serious note; what's the best advice you've received that you could pass onto other young artists?

I would say, never stop. If you're passionate and you know it's what you want to do, just keep going, make a portfolio, show people your work, and keep persevering...

BY BIANCA GEORGIOU