We're back with another spotlight feature, this time on the diligent and unrelenting force known as Joshua Wiffen. Ever on the prowl day and night for opportunities big and small, high and low, his ability to transform anything he touches into a weapon of artistic expression knows no bounds. To add to that his work ethic is crippling, leaving most wanna-be trust fund trend hoppers in the dust. His work continues to evolve and grow beyond anything that exists today so keep an eye out, until then peep this interview and step into the mind of the elusive art barbarian himself.
F.W.T.B.T. Alright first up the basic stuff - Who are you and what do you do?
Joshua Wiffen I am and continue to be Joshua WIffen and amongst everything else that this life throws at me i go to extensive efforts to perpetrate an artist focusing painterly efforts on the public, the private and everything in between...
F.W.T.B.T. How do you typically work? Do you have a set process or do you try and switch it up? Also how have you gone about setting up for the upcoming show?
J.W. The constant sensory assault that this modern world sets upon us leaves me little choice than to go with the flow and attack each action in its individual process. Most work begins with a concept but then it can be quickly executed or exhaustively thought out before initialising the final action. However I think that most process has some aspect of organic activity, regardless of what people may tell you, i am not a machine.
The upcoming show has several elements bringing it together as a cohesive interpretation of self, both the conceptually laboured and the immediacy of action. I have been trying to bring certain aspects of my practice together harmoniously for some time and this is the first large scale representation of this. This show is an attempt to create an environment bridging traditional art ideals with more contemporary actions.
F.W.T.B.T. Why do you do the things you do? What keeps you psyched on it?
J.W. I ask myself that same question almost daily and sometimes it is really hard to stay psyched without going psycho! Without going too much into a lengthy diatribe i will say that whilst it is a battle, creative actions are the constant in my life, sometimes i try to convince myself that i should pursue the 9-5, get cashed up and have the annual holiday in Bali leaving this behind but my mind just keeps dragging out these ideas. I dont think there will ever be a moment where i can say i am done, i already have a massive backlog of work that is locked away in the recesses of my mind which may never see the light of day, life gets in the way of progress.
The other side of it is that i know a bunch of super talented, creative people who are constantly pushing the envelope regardless, i think its just something thats in you, how can you stand still when there are so many ideas out there floating around for the taking?
F.W.T.B.T. With everything going on how do balance everything in your life? Is it hard to keep committed to it all?
J.W. It can get super strenuous at times, i just break it down where i can, do things i have to do first which includes keeping food on the table and a roof over my head, follow up with maintaining sanity and relationships then steal enough time to do what drives me. Naturally the balance gets thrown out the window often (like in the lead up to a show at the beginning of the new year!) but those are the times you can reassess and facilitate change.
F.W.T.B.T. Would you want to do any or all of your interests as a full time thing like being a full time artist? Or running a gallery? Vigilante?
J.W. That is the dream, Casey Jones, Frank Castle, Kit Walker, Bruce Wayne...how can you not look up to these dudes?
However, given that i am generally not violently aggressive, dont have a sweet six pack, secret millions to fund technological weapons or an otherwise repressed dark history, my other goals are aimed more toward pursuing that career in art. I really enjoy running a gallery, curating shows and all that goes with that and i am still looking towards pursuing cultural development/gallery operations as my so called day job but ultimately it would be amazing to eek out a living solely from being a full time artist. The one fear i have with this (and it is a distant fear, just throwing it in for dramatic effect) is the 'grass is always greener' philosophy, it would be the worst to finally achieve a level where all you have to do is create only to find that the thing you love quickly becomes just a job...
F.W.T.B.T. How do you get and stay motivated to continue tackling everything you've got going? I'm guessing it takes a lot of time effort and energy to stay on top of everything.
J.W. When all these other heads are getting theirs, why shouldnt i get mine? hey, it may never happen but as long as i am able both mentally and physically then i will have some motivation to stay on top of getting the work out there, helping others to get their own and finding time for the finer things in life. Nothings perfect and some things fall by the wayside but usually you can pick it back up on the roundabout. I read a story by Espo AKA Stephen Powers recently where a guy he was doing an artwork for was trying to tell him that he needs to stop working on so many things at once, just focus on one thing at a time, his response was simply 'never, tony, thats how nothing gets done'.
F.W.T.B.T. Do you have any inspirations? Creative or otherwise? Anything or anyone that gets you psyched to kick asses and take names?
J.W. The same things that inspire me also bring me down, in daily life there is always something beautiful or inspirational that can drive your thoughts in one direction or another whilst at the same time send you into a spiral of 'how can i make my stuff that awesome?' Which can be both positive and negative i guess. With the firm grip of the internet in our midst it is so easy to find something awesome happening somewhere in the world which could flip that switch and drive you to the next level. Other than that, some of my closest friends and family continue to inspire me through both creative and personal achievements, from start up clothing companies to fighting through adversity to become full time teachers or entering management roles.
F.W.T.B.T. Where do you want to take it with everything you've got going? Is there a long term goal you're aiming for? Are there things you still want to accomplish?
J.W. Im just taking it step at a time at the moment, the long term goal is to become self sufficient so that i can focus more holistically on creative practices and have my artwork support more artwork at the same time as being able to continue projects that provide a platform and support other artists and creatives to pursue their own work.
To put it out there, two of the more medium term goals is to secure studio residencies and ultimately get some gallery based shows and other projects overseas. Broaden my audience and test the waters.
As for now, i have to try to raise some coin for some more elaborate interventions i have on the boil but in the more immediately attainable work i want to pursue some more video based works and installations as well as some suburban commentary actions. There is always going to be something to be accomplished or overcome.
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Check out his upcoming solo show at Gallery 5 Crown Lane this Friday 3rd Feb 2012, we'll see you there.
Cheers
Roh
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