1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale? Was it created solely for this release or was there an original piece created?
Billy Norrby: This painting titled “The Sphinx” was created as part of my “Fury” art show in 2012. The original has since been sold.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Billy Norrby: “Fury” was a mythological re-imagining of our frenzied new cycle, with a particular focus on the revolution-type imagery coming out in the wake of the G8/G20 riots, the various occupy movements and the arab spring. Putting the current mayhem against a larger, more timeless backdrop, I was partly inspired by 19th painting by the likes of Eugene Delacroix (“Liberty Leading the People”) and also the Greek Theban Plays. (The apocalyptic decline of a city while furies and other unseen forces manipulate the people.) I was also influenced by the medieval notion of death as a soothing female figure and bringer of sleep. The transition between eras was also a major thematic point of of the series. With older architectural elements contrasted against the current actors on our streets. Finally the Sphinx is an ancient symbol wielding the riddle of death.
1xRUN: What materials did you use to create this piece?
Billy Norrby: The medium is very traditional. Oil paint and linseed oil on canvas.
1xRun: When was the piece created?
Billy Norrby: This was painted early 2012.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Billy Norrby: The statue in the background was actually a clay model I built and painted myself. The inspiration for it’s design came mostly from the many copper coated lion statues of my native city of Stockholm. (The lion is a frequent symbol of the Swedish monarchy.) And the model is a dear friend of mine, the very talented (and lovely) oil painter Ewelina Koszykowska.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Billy Norrby: Beyond walking around the old parts of the Swedish capital, a few 19th century paintings provided the immediate inspiration. Gustave Dore’s “The Enigma” is one of my favorite paintings of all time. More obscure is the polish master Jacek Malczewski who painted a series of grim reaper paintings that are endlessly fascinating and mysterious. I wanted to pay homage to these giants while also including some of the oxidized green copper texture I had fallen in love with. At the time I was also reading up a lot on World War 1, so the image of soupy mustard gas was on my mind. And finally of course, there’s shades of poor old Yorick in the pose.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Billy Norrby: About 12 days full days (and nights) of painting.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Billy Norrby: The color scheme and particular atmosphere of this piece is still unique among my paintings and I am especially fond of how the lion recedes back into the fog. Overall I am satisfied whenever a painting strikes an interesting tension between serenity and violence. Despite being a “small” painting in scope, with just a single figure in a simple composition, it suggests a much larger world and narrative. I like nothing more than creating an image that can inspire the viewer to extend the story and meaning in their mind.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Billy Norrby: I think it is a good introduction to my work and exemplifies many of the thematic and visual elements that often interest me in painting.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Billy Norrby: “Transcendence” perhaps. The emotions and thoughts that go into my work doesn’t easily sum itself up in a single word. Maybe I’m just not eloquent enough.
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Billy Norrby: I’ve been drawing even before I could speak. Right after high school I spent a few years at a company drawing storyboards for various commercial projects. After going back to collage to learn classical oil painting/portraiture techniques, I started creating fine art in 2009.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Billy Norrby: During my student days and initial paintings my mind was solely in the old world and I found my inspiration in 19th century painting and art movements such as the Symbolists, Pre-Raphaelites and Germanic romanticism. The works of Caspar David Friedrich, Herbert Draper, Alphonse Mucha, Arnold Bocklin, Solomon J. Solomon, Lord Leighton and countless others were always close to my heart.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Billy Norrby: First piece was a re-imagining of the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy and her companions moving through a dream like, surreal city.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Billy Norrby: I always listen to music when I work. (If I am not going through a lengthy audiobook.) I try to create fitting soundscapes to the theme and atmosphere I am going for. Initially there was a lot of classical music and orchestral soundtracks to sustain the desired mood. Even if I am listening to modern pop, rock or electronic, I still prefer long soundscapes that let me drift off into a meditative state as I paint. As such there are plenty of evergreens like Pink Floyd, various progressive rock and psychedelic but also lots of current bands like Forest Swords, Bonobo and John Maus. Lyrics can be distracting namely and pull me out of the painting.
1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Billy Norrby: These days I am much more varied in my inspiration and I try to find it outside my window here in Brooklyn. I derive great pleasure and insight from contemporary artists and good friends such as Aaron Wiesenfeld, Martin Wittfooth, Mu Pan, Jeremy Geddes. Nicola Verlato and Eric Fortune. I also admire many illustrators from different eras such as Moebius, Syd Mead and Jeff Jones. Films and cinema-photography inspire me frequently and especially directors such as Terence Malick, Tarkovsky, Fritz Lang, Stanley Kubrick and Kieslowski to name just a few. I go through a steady diet of art shows, movies and old paperback cover illustration. Inspiration comes in endless bursts and can change rapidly from week to week. Another way of putting it is that I was at first trying to stay timeless and speak to the eternal in mankind. But now I am also eager to have an artistic discussion with our current society and my magnificent peers in painting.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Billy Norrby: I would probably choose to collaborate with my buddy Martin Wittfooth. He’s a wonderful oil painter and also someone I really enjoy hanging out with.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Billy Norrby: In all likelihood a master romantic painter like Solomon J. Solomon or Lord Leighton. I would mostly be standing in awe, trying to soak up as much as I can. But a few sculpting pointers from Bernini wouldn’t be too shabby either.
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Billy Norrby: The last piece I bought was also a print, this time by french illustrator Moebius. I recently also supported a wonderful series of illustrations on Kickstarter by my friend Julia Griffin if that counts.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Billy Norrby: The first piece of art I owned was a very nice print from my friend, the Canadian artist Jon Todd. It hangs on my wall.
1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Billy Norrby: In the immediate future I will be in a group show at Corey Helford Gallery in January and then in February I will have a piece at the Los Angeles Municipal Museum for the 20th anniversary Juxtapoz retrospective. There’s always something going on.
1xRUN: Where can we find you?
Billy Norrby: Website – Facebook
-1xRUN