2 Comments Written by Tinkerbelle Parker on September 10, 2010 – 12:00 pm

Beastman is brain, hands and heart behind these arresting, memorable characters. As we’ve admired works such as the 4ZZZ building mural in Brisbane, we’ve so often wondered about the Beastman. We learnt that, as well as being unique aethetic creatures, there is much depth behind their design. The detailed, detailed works are inspired by the repetitive patterns found in the natural world. The expression, the struggle between nature and man-made adversities. Needless to say, WMSG are pretty in love with Beastman’s work and slightly jealous that Brisvegus has a mural that we would eat paint caps for.

At least we get to see him speak at this year’s Semi-Permanent design conference in Melbourne. Read on for our chat with Beastman…

My work is inspired by lots of different things – human behaviour and emotions, patterns in nature, symmetry, design, heraldry, relationships. I am personally inspired by my friends, family and the other artists I work and hang out with. It’s important to have other hard working artists around you, it keeps you motivated.

Your characters have a very haunting demeanour & they convey everyday struggles that we, as mankind, find ourselves lost in. Sometimes they seem to mock me other times they seem frozen in fear. How did these ‘Beastmen’ develop both physically and emotionally over time?
These characters developed over years of drawing in sketchbooks, experimenting with different styles. They represent human nature and life’s many burdens and struggles. The emotions they convey are determined by the viewer, its as if they are expressing many different emotions at the same time…. which one is up to you. I am not interested in pushing too many ideas or stories through my paintings, I enjoy making images in which the viewer can find their own relevance and personal meaning, possibly a reflection of something happening in their own life.

The colours seem quite calming compared to the ferocity of your figures. Was this a calculated move or are you just drawn to those colours?
Using a uniform palette also helps to separate my artwork from everyone else’s, to the point where my work is instantly recognised simply because of the colours.

Where do your creatures belong? In mythology, this world or the next?
My paintings illustrate an alternate world to ours, a near perfect, symmetrical place of hope and survival. The restrained colour palette helps to illustrate this other world, separating it far from our own reality.

As well as painting and photography what other mediums are you keen to work in? (I think some gigantic Beastman sculptures would look rad!)
At the moment I have been painting lots of large scale characters and murals on the street, I find using aerosol paint very fun and rewarding. I have an exhibition planned in December at LO-FI Collective in Sydney with Phibs and Creepy. This will be predominantly an installation show that I’m planning to make some large sculptures for. So yes, sculpture and installation is something I am going to do a lot more of in the future.

How did you get involved in this year’s Semi-Permanent event?
The guys at Design is Kinky invited me to be a speaker.

What advice would you give to other young artists trying to get into this often difficult industry?
Work harder than anyone else you know, and always be keen to collaborate with other artists and work on different projects.

Along with Semi-Permanent what’s next in the pipe line for you?
I have a few group shows coming up throughout the last half of the year, and then the above mentioned show in Sydney in December.

Ok, quick fire round!

Favourite colour - blue

I love - Kelly

I hate - Sydney traffic

Death bed song - ‘Symmetry’ by Chuck Ragan

If you only read one book in your life, I highly recommend -The Bible

Film to see before you die -Logan’s Run.