Jack Brindley

This month's banner has been made by artist Jack Brindley. He's actually given us something a little bit different from the norm by giving us two designs that are going to be switched between at random intervals. We had a chat with him to find out about the reasoning behind his double submission to us, the relationship between art and habitat and having a beer while covered in your own blood.

Who are you? What do you do? And where?
I'm Jack Brindley, I'm an artist/illustrator living and working in London. My work seems to be divided between conceptual contemporary art, and graphic styled illustration. Both often inform or support the other, but I never regard them as similar. recently I have begun to assist the curation of various shows in London finding a platform for other young emerging artists.

Who or what are your inspirations?
Most of my inspiration comes from literature and art philosophies. Im big fan of dystopian sci-fi novels in particular authors such as; Phillip K Dick, Yevgeny Zamyatin and J G Ballard. I have also looked extensively into the work of Richard Buckminster Fuller, who was an architect, theorist and visionary of the 1980's. I believe the full extent of his work and ideologies are yet to be realized. It is difficult to say which artists inspire me directly as often this process occurs on a completely subconscious level. However I really admire artists Tomas Saraceno for his complex geometrical eco friendly structures, and Loris Greaud for his slightly sinister large scale installations.

What are you currently working on?
I'm currently working on quite a few different things. I have an ever growing interest in the presentation of an art object, and believe that there is an obligation to re-evaluate the traditional parameters of display. There is an order of dependance between art and its habitat that is rarely considered by most art. This has resulted in me moving away from painting in a traditional sense and attempting to encompass the surrounding area's creating something akin to an installation.
I am working on building together a collective of artists with the scope to curate a show in april 2010 called '(New) Working Parameters'. Hopefully this will address some of the issues that im currently concerned with. (if anybody reading this has any suggestions or would like to get involved please get in contact).
I also manage a space called the Waterside Project (http://petitpoi.net/waterside/)  Which is an artist-run independent gallery space in East London. We have a busy schedule of very exciting multi disciplinary and international artists. The Next show called 'Cathode Ray Mission' is by an incredible London based artist, Josh Love. Opening on the 5th of December.

Your piece for the banner actually consists of two banners rotating between each other randomly. What was the story behind that?
My work has two very separate facets really. One of which I have described in a conceptual and contemporary way, the other I mearly view as illustration. I feel it very important to work in these two different ways, as they often inform or provide a needed break from the other. In a very practical way it makes sense too, as I find it easier to get commissions and sell my Graffiti/Illustration work where as I rarely sell my 'Fine art' work. One funds the other. I would like people to be aware of both of my practices, but in reality once branded as an illustrator it becomes very difficult to change peoples opinion on you. The Graffiti is fun, yet rarely challenging where as the conception of my other practice is intellectually very stimulating but not exactly relaxing.

Have you ever been in a fight and if so, what happened?
I have never been in a fight by my own intentions. The only way the fights that i've been in have resolved them selves was either by running, getting beaten up, or by some vain attempt of reasoning. I guess the last of those three options would be my favored but also the most unlikely resolution. The last time this happened I was walking home with a friend and a very inebriated guy took a sever dislike to him having dreadlocks. The 'fight' lasted about a half an hour where we tried to subdue the guy never once attacking or pushing back. The end came when we realized that no amount of reasoning would pacify this situation, and considering blood was already coming readily from both of our faces eventually managed to run away. Finding time to buy a beer before embarking on the 3 hour wait in A&E.

Many thanks to Jack for not only going above and beyond the spec and creating the two banners for the month, but also for taking the time to be interviewed. His personal website is at www.jackbrindley.co.uk where you can find more examples of his work and also details for live shows he's involved with. Speaking of live shows, Jack has two coming up, they are:

• Duke of Clarence (Elephant and Castle London Road) opening 9th November for two weeks.
• 'Pause and Effect' RART (100 Leonard St, Near old st) opening 11th DEC.

Once again, more details of these events are at his site.