“On April 21st, 2012 323 East will be hosting “Lyric 2012“, a group show curated by Glenn Barr. For this exhibition Barr had one simple request for each artist: Each piece of art must be 12 x 12 inches, paying homage to the timeless beauty that can fit on the cover of a vinyl record. Each artist has been given free reign to draw inspiration from their favorite artist, album, song or lyric and put their personal interpretation to canvas.
For this show I found inspiration from one of my favorite bands, Nine Inch Nails. Specifically their song “Head Like A Hole”. To be completely honest I never really understood what Trent Reznor meant by “Head Like A Hole”. Was he suggesting that the person/subject had a mind like a hole? Exactly what was the nature of this hole? If this hole was metaphorical, why didn’t he write it as “Mind Like A Hole”? Is there a possibility that this hole was actually a real hole in the head? Maybe he’s playing off the idiom ‘I need ____ like I need a hole in my head’. Anyways, after giving it some thought, the above painting became my solution to these questions. ” – Luke Chueh
We’re extremely excited to present our first RUN from the upcoming 323East Exhibition Lyric “Head Like A Hole” from artist Luke Chueh. Back for his second RUN, Luke has brought us a work inspired by the Nine Inch Nails song of the same name. Read on for the 1xRUN Thru with Luke Chueh and see the video for Head Like a Hole and more…
1xRUN Thru Interview
Head Like A Hole by Luke Chueh
1xRun: Let’s talk a bit about “Head Like a Hole” is the original still for sale?
Luke Chueh: The original is for sale at 323 East Gallery, where it was created for the Lyric 20212 show curated by Glenn Barr.
1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?
Luke Chueh: It was created March 2012
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Luke Chueh: It was inspired by the lyrics for the song “Head Like A Hole” by Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails: Head Like a Hole (1990) from Nine Inch Nails
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Luke Chueh: It took a couple weeks (since I was also working on several other projects at the same time.)
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Luke Chueh: What makes the piece unique is that it is directly inspired by a specific musical lyric, and I’ve never created a painting with this kind or source as the foundation of the idea.
1xRun: Why should people buy “Head Like A Hole”?
Luke Chueh: Because they’re either Luke Chueh fans, Nine Inch Nails fans, or both.
1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.
Run #00217 // Apr 20, 2012 - Apr 26, 2000 // Head Like A Hole by Luke Chueh
Luke Chueh: Hole.
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Luke Chueh: I started drawing for fun when I was 4. I started creating this style of work when I was 30.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Luke Chueh: The first thing I ever really drew was Mickey Mouse (as taught to me by my mother.)
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Luke Chueh: I was inspired by lots of comic art, animation (Walt Disney, Hannah Barbera, Anime), and science fiction movies and televisions shows (Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica), and toys (Transformers, GI Joe)
1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Luke Chueh: I’m pretty much inspired by the work of all my colleagues and contemporaries. They all have something I can learn from.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Luke Chueh: I’ve been listening to lots of Labrador Records bands (The Radio Dept., Club 8, The Acid House Kings, The Legends). I also listen to lots of indie rock like The Flaming Lips, Mogwai, Beck, Cornelius, Explosions in the Sky, Pulp, and of course, Nine Inch Nails.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Luke Chueh: I really love to pick the brains of Yoshitomo Nara, Murakami Takashi, Makoto Aida, Mr., and/or Chiho Aoshima.
Mr.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Luke Chueh: To be honest, I can’t think of one… maybe Salvador Dali.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Luke Chueh: It was a painting by Thomas Han. I still have it.
Thomas Han
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Gary Baseman
Luke Chueh: The last piece of art I bought was by Gary Baseman.
1xRun: What else do you have in the works?
Luke Chueh: I have a show in September at Rotofugi, a book release “Bearing the Unbearable” (below) a toy release with Munky King “Target”, and a show in Tokyo in December with Touma.
1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?
Luke Chueh: Website – Blog – Twitter
-1xRUN