1xRUN Thru Interview
Landfall by Hueman
1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, was it part of a recent series?
Hueman: The original is currently on view at StolenSpace Gallery in London this month. This year I’ve been doing an ongoing series pieces that are a mixture of feminine faces and abstract forms.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece?
Hueman: Acrylic and spray paint on canvas.
1xRUN: When was the piece created and how long did it take?
Hueman: This piece took me about 4 days and was created the weekend of November 9th, 2013 as news came in about the Typhoon Haiyan destruction the Philippines.
1xRUN: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Hueman: All of my proceeds from this print release will be donated to UNICEF relief efforts in the Philippines.
1xRUN: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Hueman: As a Filipino American, the devastation of Typhoon Hayain hit close to home. I have some family in the area who experienced the storm firsthand, as well as friends here in LA that were waiting to hear from family abroad. It was a big thing that was on my mind that weekend, and so I couldn’t help but create something inspired by it.
1xRUN: What is unique about this piece?
Hueman: Each layer is built on top of the other, completely freestyle. I use spontaneous drips, spray, splatters and brush strokes to create an abstract piece and then bring out any faces or forms I see, almost like looking at a Rorschach. Sometimes it will start with something as small as just an eye, or lips and then I’ll build the rest from there. Very rarely do I plan what a piece will look like in advance, unless I’m painting a big street mural.
1xRUN: Why should people buy this print?
Hueman: My portion of the proceeds will be donated to UNICEF for the Typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines. People should definitely buy this piece if they want to give to our less fortunate brothers and sisters during the holidays.
1xRUN: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Hueman: Heavy.
1xRUN: When did you first start making art?
Hueman: I started making art ever since I could pick up a pencil. My mom tells me I was about a year and a half old. Whet it was drawing or painting, creating graphics in Photoshop, cutting up clothes or making my own jewelry I was always working on something. I began to show in galleries in 2004 not too long after I graduated high school. A couple years ago I started painting on walls and just fell deeply in love with that. Spray paint has since become my favorite medium.
1xRUN: What was your first piece?
Hueman: I drew a lot of teenage mutant ninja turtles and bad graffiti.
1xRUN: What artists inspired you early on?
Hueman: Surrealist artists like Renee Magritte and Salvador Dali. Also Gustav Klimt, Alphonse Mucha, and Aubrey Beardsley. As a little girl I loved Sailor Moon.
1xRUN: What artists inspire you now?
Hueman: All the amazing street artists and illustrators I follow on Instagram, they’re a source of daily inspiration. I’m a big fan of James Jean, David Choe, Mars-1.
1xRUN: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Hueman: My taste in music is pretty eclectic and all over the board. But my go to studio soundtrack tends to be pretty spacey, moody, or ethereal. I work the best when this type of music is on because the mood seems to find its way into my work. Right now I’m really digging Banks, Village, Burial, and Jarell Perry.
1xRUN: Any shows, events or things you’d like to share that we didn’t cover?
Hueman: I’m part of a few group shows this month: the Winter Group Show at StolenSpace Gallery in London, Giant Robot’s 9 Show in Los Angeles, and the Holiday Group Show at Ian Ross Gallery in San Francisco. I also recently collaborated with Nike on an art piece that is part of the release of the Kobe 9 shoe.
1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Hueman: Website – Instagram – Facebook
-1xRUN