What do you do?
I am a stencil artist.
When did you get into it?
Early to mid noughties.
Who or what influences you as an artist?
There is a whole international community of stencil artists on the internet. Interacting with and seeing the amazing work some of these guys come up with is a definite motivation and influence. I also try to challenge myself with each new piece, raising the bar slightly from the last.
What’s your biggest achievement so far?
I won most popular piece at the Melbourne Stencil Festival in 2008. Just had a nice write up in Art Monthly Australia too, pretty stoked about that. I recently started showing my work internationally, which kind of makes me feel like the hard work is starting to pay off.
What are your plans for the future?
Not too distant, I want to setup a warehouse art space in Mitchell/Fyshwick with 2 or 3 other likeminded artists, Melbourne style (anyone interested hit me up at elkstencils@hotmail.com).Long term I just want to make my art, show it, and hopefully sell it (for heaps of cash).
What makes you laugh?
Bill Hicks, the American comedian. He’s been dead for nearly 20 years but every word he said is totally relevant to the mess we’re in today. That and when dogs get stuck together during sex.
What pisses you off?
John Stanhope spending money on public art. It’s the political equivalent of your mum buying clothes for you when you’re a kid: you just tolerate it because you don't have a say in it.
What’s your opinion of the local scene?
It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.
What are your upcoming exhibitions?
I have a solo show opening at the Front Gallery in Lyneham on the 9th of July. I also have a group show opening in August at the Crewest gallery in LA, and then a solo show at the Vincent Michael Gallery in Philadelphia pencilled in for later in the year, no time to rest.
Contact info: elkstencils@hotmail.com or 0404945714
