Meggs Opens The Mind’s Eye

Growing up in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, David ‘Meggs’ Hooke, immersed himself in the worlds of drawing, cartoons, sci-fi films and skateboarding. In 2000 Meggs graduated from University with a Bachelor of Design and soon after became recognised for stencils and poster art on the streets of Melbourne. In 2004 Meggs became a founding member of the renowned ‘Everfresh Studio’ a unique collective of street artists known for large amounts of collaborative street work and aerosol murals. In 2010 Meggs art directed and designed the ‘Everfresh:Blackbook’ a 254 page publication documenting the studios members, lifestyle and artworks from 2004-2010.The Everfresh Crew have more recently had collective artworks exhibited as part of ‘Space Invaders’ at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, as well as being the first artists to exhibit at the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) new NGVStudio space at Federation Square in Melbourne. Thus confirming this unique groups status as historically documented pioneering artists within Australia’s ‘graffiti & street-art’ culture.


1xRUN Thru Interview
Mind’s Eye by Meggs

1xRun: Tell us a little bit about Mind’s Eye, what materials did you use? Is the original sold?
Meggs:  This piece was created in July of 2012 using aerosol & acrylics on canvas. The original piece is large at 59×68″ and was the centerpiece for my solo show ‘Truth in Myth’ at WhiteWalls Gallery in San Francisco. Yes, this piece has sold.

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about? How long did this piece take?
Meggs: It’s part of an ongoing series of dual face masks I’ve been painting, playing around with since 2008. This is the most developed version so far and essentially represents my interest in self-identity, duality and fantasy themes. I would say about 1-2 weeks in painting process.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Meggs: I’d say the size and complexity and details – it is the evolution of me becoming a lot more expressive with the form of a mask/face and has a lot of movement to it. Especially on the demon side which depicts a shifting and moving form like hair and fire.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Meggs:  Its the iconic piece from my ‘Truth in Myth’ (2012) series. Oh that they like it probably helps?!

1xRun: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Meggs:  Duality.

1xRun: Is this your first year at Pow Wow? How did you first get involved?
Meggs:  This is actually my third year at Pow Wow. Jasper Wong invited me to the first 2011 Pow Wow Hawaii after we became friends in Hong Kong the year before. I had a solo show at his (then) HK Gallery, Above Second.

1xRun: Any particular artists at Pow Wow who’s work you are excited to see in person?
Meggs:  There are so many awesome artists this year, so it’s a hard one to answer. I’m looking forward to seeing Jeff Soto, Hannah Stouffer, Askew, Roid, Nychos and Yoskay Yamamoto  paint for the first time, as well as catch up with so many of the other great artists I’ve met before.

1xRun: I believe you have already worked with some of the other Pow Wow artists, any in particular you’d liked to work with for the first time or again?
Meggs: Again super hard to answer, theres too many people I’d love to have time to work with, so I wont jinx things just yet as I’ll miss out some for sure.

1xRun: Any other excursions or plans while you’re in Hawaii that you’re excited about?
Meggs:  I have a wedding to attend after PW is over but essentially I’m just focused on that. Always excited to go to Hawaii fullstop.

1xRun: What else have you been up to lately? What do you have coming up?
Meggs: Since returning to Melbourne after Basel Miami in Dec I’ve worked on a couple of murals here and essentially been in studio lock-down preparing for my solo show at Thinkspace Gallery in LA, opening April 6th. Cant wait!1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Meggs: WebsiteTwitter + Instagram: @houseofmeggs

-1xRUN