AR: What was the inspiration behind this new release?
It’s a development of the music related typographic works I’ve been making for a number of years. This new series is entitled ‘Shades’. I chose the sunglasses motif because I wanted to make the works more minimal and yet still distinct and iconic. Also, the image is created solely from shades of letters. This new artwork titled ‘All I Want Is A Picture Of You’ is inspired by an image of Debbie Harry and uses adapted words from two of my favourite Blondie songs ‘Atomic’ and ‘Picture This’. The words all relate to a visual theme, not just because they create an image of sunglasses but also because it’s what we do when we look at art or we look out at nature. The words that create the lips are about passion. I’m a fan of Rene Gruau and you can see some of the influence in this picture.
AR: Do you see this work as a continuation of previous work or a series, or a new departure in your practice?
It extends the current body of work by using a similar method but making the finished artworks more striking and unique.
AR: What does a typical day look like for you?
Art before dinner, art with dinner and after dinner art.
AR: Which artists inspire you, or you admire?
Christopher Wool, Richard Prince, Doug Aitken, Keith Haring, Raymond Pettibon, Harland Miller
AR: When did you know you wanted to pursue a life in art?
Age 6.
AR: What is your earliest art memory?
We were told to bring in a paint tin lid by the teacher for art lesson at school. Everyone else forgot and had to do maths instead of art, while I was allowed to paint a picture.
AR: What did it feel like when you sold your first artwork?
A buzz. Still does.
AR: What’s your favourite creative work (artwork, music, play, film, etc)
“Once upon a time you dressed so fine you threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you…” like a Rolling Stone. Bob Dylan. Or anything by Picasso.
AR: What’s next? Your next project, hobby, goal in your career
Nearly finished a huge text painting of an NHS worker made from his account of being one of the first to deal with Covid patients..
To see Mike Edwards' new prints from his Shades collection, click here!
