Interview

Sep 22

Imran Hart

Imran Hart is from England and he is currently based in Sweden. His work is very important to him and he loves being in the studio whether its just sketching, putting down notes or with a brush in his hand. He works with mostly acrylics but this kind of graffiti style has got a hold of him lately which he is starting to incorporate in his works. He likes to mix it up and keep things fresh! He is full of ideas and it’s just keeping up with himself getting it all down in sketches and getting the canvas wet!

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I was born in Cambridge, England and introduced to the art world through my mother as she was a keen artist. My teenage years threw me into the skateboard world where my thirst for expressing myself artistically began to unfold. The tricks skateboarding involves is really an artform in itself and I found performing these both exciting and satisfying. I began to marvel at the wild and vibrant graphics of the decks underbellies. I would draw and design my own graphics for skateboards. I was fascinated by this "Lowbrow" and allegedly "Fad" sport and all that entailed. I’m currently based in Sweden at the moment and this as a second chapter of my life has given me more time, freedom, energy and inspiration for my work. I have so many thoughts and ideas for new pieces, it´s so overwhelming I could burst!”

What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?

“The aim of my work can be divided, I mean there are pieces that have a clear agenda and vision towards the viewer that I want to be obvious, but a flipside to that is that there are pieces I do that suggestively entertain the individuals perception of what they are seeing, provoking feelings to grasp at. I play my own gig with my own mind wherever that may wander, although of late, I have found myself exhaling some political or global issues.”

Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?

“My work is planned, an idea, a vision of what I want to purvey. I do sketches and write notes which is then spewed onto the canvas or my work surface and if all goes to plan then I´m happy but a piece can easily go wrong, ruined by a simple brush stroke and trying to savor rectify your work may be a task lesser endeavored, spite your zeal.”

Are there any art world trends you are following?

“Trends in the art world come and go and I can’t really say that I’ve followed any. Influences from different artists through time do seep into my work for example Neo-expressionism, so raw, fast and intense. Pop art also with it’s boldness and comic like impression. I don’t paint to keep in theme with fashion or to keep up with the Joneses. I paint what I like or what seems to be on my mind at that time.”

What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?

“The process of my work is premeditated as is the mediums that I will use, saying that I find myself maybe using different mediums and techniques under the process or as the piece progresses and more often than not becomes more beneficial to the piece in hand. I like to use acrylic paint due to it’s quick drying properties, it allows me to work faster and with more efficiency. Spray-paint is also a medium that I’ve become quite accustom to and use more regularly lately along with paint promarkers. I’ve started to dabble in a bit of graffiti style writing also, which I have elaborated into recent pieces. I find it fun and refreshing delving into new techniques and styles!”

“I’ve started to dabble in a bit of graffiti style writing also, which I have elaborated into recent pieces. I find it fun and refreshing delving into new techniques and styles!”

What does your art mean to you?

“My art means a great deal to me, it’s an extension of who I am and how I percieve the world. It’s nice for people to see that side of me and see my vision through my art.”

What’s your favorite artwork and why?

“My favourite piece of artwork is The persistence of memory by Salvador Dali. The first time I saw it as a kid, something resonated in me, it’s just so dreamlike and the colours so perfect, warm and soft. I still lose myself gazing into this painting, just drinking it in. It’s a masterpiece. For me, the melting clocks symbolize time melting away. The pocketwatch crawling with ants is a metaphor for decay, all of it melting, being devoured and fading away, slowly deteriorating like our memories yet we persist to clutch at them, suppress them, forget or even relive them; a very powerful piece. This was another igniting spark that spurred me on as a kid and fashioned my love for art and attraction to more intriguing and unusual paintings that fall under the categories of surrealism, neo-expressionism, contemporary and abstract art. As a kid, it just made me think "Hey, adults draw and paint weird stuff too!"”