Interview
Simon Darling
Simon Darling is a multiple award-winning artist who creates paintings, drawings and mixed media artworks. He grew up being exposed to the creative nature of his mother, who was an emerging abstract artist. From a young age, Simon quickly engaged himself in drawing and painting.
Simon examines the individual and universal interactions found in contemporary portraiture, startling the audience with simplified and distorted forms. With every piece, he aims to promote a mix of conflicting feelings and thoughts.
With a subtle pseudo-minimalistic approach, Simon often creates several practically identical works, upon which thoughts that have apparently just been developed are manifested.
Notes are made and then crossed out again. ‘Mistakes’ are repeated. These methodically planned works resound and resonate with visions culled from the deep and dark realm of imagination.
Simon’s works are represented in private collections all over the world, including Europe, Australia, Japan and USA.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’ve always had a passion for creating, building and designing, turning my thoughts and ideas into visual and physical forms. At the age of 14, I quickly turned my mom’s garage into a studio. This is where I found my solitude and self-expression through painting, while navigating the world of art. Besides being an art school dropout, I hold a degree in architectural technology and design, and have been studying advanced psychology and philosophy.
I was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Artist of the Future Award’ for the most outstanding and talented artists in the art world. I’ve also received the ‘Power of Creativity’ award for creative excellence and recognition of outstanding achievements in innovation and creativity. Furthermore, my works have been recognized in media and books such as CAE Book Volume IV ‘Contemporary Art of Excellence Book’ 2021, 'We Contemporary 2021', and CAC Magazine USA 2020.”
“We have to dig into ourselves, find ourselves where we are ‘damaged’ the most, and start loving ourselves from there. By doing that, we will grow to far beyond what we would if we weren’t aware or confronted with these emotions we have hidden away.
We can never reach our full potential unless we unlock and discover the deepest and darkest corners of our messed-up souls.”
What inspires you most?
“As I drag most of my inspiration from experiences, thoughts and ideas from situations, surroundings, words and music, I don’t think I can call out one thing that influences me the most. What influences me is larger and more ‘out there’ than just one thing, or one biggest influence. There are so many aspects to what I’m influenced by, and it changes all the time. I tend to dig really deep, and always end up far too deep inside myself.
My thoughts and experiences definitely impact my artwork. I have a tendency to drag most inspiration from the deep, dark and obscure realm of imagination. My influence can be pulled from everywhere, including people. I have continual influence in my life from people that I surround myself with, and even people who were once in my life but aren’t anymore.
There are certain highlights in my career which I can relate to the influence of certain people. A good example is my mother. She introduced me to the art world through her creativeness, and was mindful to not change me by trying to re-program or re-direct me. She let me be, to become my own.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The philosophical aspect of my paintings relates to each and everyone’s individual life and story. How each one of us is different, and has to deal with their ‘demons’ the same way but on a different level. I try to create an experience that the audience can relate to. Creating mixed emotions and thoughts in the audience allows them to gain and express themselves in their own way.
I hope that my paintings will result in inspirational emotions and thoughts which each individual can generate for their own benefit.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is best described as portraits of complexities of various emotional psychological states. These are highlighted in altered ways, imitating the madness and unknown of everyday life. I would call this ‘imitated pragmatism’, which is defined as a realistic representation of that which is not known on the surface.
My work portrays our unknown, inner psychological and philosophical states. It imitates the pragmatism and/or ideology of our thoughts and emotions, which come alive through the visualization. Through my paintings, I unite and express the unexplainable, indefinite and confusing emotions, from the obscure realm of imagination.”
What artists influence you most?
“I don’t consider myself directly influenced by any artist in terms of style. But I have to mention Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, Yoshitomo Nara and George Condo as some of the artists whom I’ve followed and studied throughout my career. Basquiat for skillfully merged styles and traditions, creating collage-type works of contemporary art. Damien Hirst for his conceptual art which deliberately provokes and addresses beauty, death, rebirth, technology, and mortality. Yoshitomo for his Japanese Neo-pop movement, creating paintings, drawings, and sculptures trying to find identity in a rapidly modernizing and violent world. And Condo for his way of exploring the private, off-moments or unseen aspects of humanity.”
“The separation of an artist from their creation is hard. Through this piece of ‘art’, you are showing someone what can’t be seen, and telling them what sometimes can’t be said. Ultimately, the deeper meaning of the process is connected to its creator.”
What is your creative process like?
"I tend to work on different projects at a time. I can’t focus on one thing only; my mind is constantly busy. Along the process of creating something, new thoughts and ideas occur. This makes me excited to start these new projects so I ‘throw away’ one project and start on another. I’m usually working on the project that motivates and challenge me the most. The process from a thought to a finished product involves many aspects such as procrastination, excitement, doubt, passion, resistance and focus. It’s a highly intense mix of emotions or thoughts, all at the same time. The finished product is the artwork, but the process itself is the true art.
What I’ve learned is to trust the process, even when doubting and not motivated, because the outcome is positive most of the times. But every process is new. No process is the same, which is the beauty of it. I know I have to push myself and grow within each creation, and I take my work personally because it’s a raw expression of myself.”
“My paintings do not dictate what you should feel, what you should think or what you should experience. They provide the ‘unknown’, which the audience can dive into and take away exactly what they want or need from it.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art and artists influence society by shifting opinions, introducing values and decoding experiences across given dimensions, space and time. Art in any form, is the definition of a person’s singular expression of thoughts, emotions or perceptions— a way to communicate what cannot be explained with words. It can be a way of seeing the world from one’s perspective, which is in many ways an expression of an artist’s character. Through each individual’s technical skills, we attempt to evoke a certain kind of emotion, a reflection or visualization to put our message across.
Art affects our essential sense of self. The impact an artist has on society is highly affected by the personality of the individual artist and their chosen style of work. Unlike most people who say that the role of the artists is in part to describe life, I believe that the artist’s role is to shed light on aspects that may otherwise be missed. But most contemporary artists nowadays take on more than one approach and use their platform to get their message across. The evolving role of the artist in society is never-ending. It changes constantly, evolving and adapting with the same chaotic pace as society.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’ve held 12 solo exhibitions, and have had my work included in 16 group shows, both domestic and international.
Unfortunately due to COVID-19, my 2020 exhibitions had to be canceled and re-scheduled. This allowed me to start looking into different types of exhibition platforms such as pop-up stores and virtual exhibitions. In 2021, I exhibited my work at We Contemporary in Vienna, Austria, and at a pop-up store in Tokyo Japan.
Luckily things are opening up again. The world healing from the pandemic creates new possibilities and opportunities, and I have a few things coming up next year which I'm excited for.
A few earlier exhibitions worth mentioning are:
2019 - Untitled Sentiments, Sydney, Australia.
2018 - Miserable At Best, Tokyo, Japan.”
Website: www.sdarling-art.com
Instagram: @simon_darling
