1xRUN Thru Interview
Reclaimed Youth by Meggs
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece.
Meggs: ‘Reclaimed Youth’ was one of the original artworks (which is now sold) for my ‘Spoiled Rotten’ solo show in September last year at Inner State Gallery. The show explored ideas of loss, consumerism, decay, and regeneration. It was somewhat inspired by Detroit’s history and the beauty that can be found in its decay, as well as the new opportunities that can arise from hardship and loss.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent series that you had?
Meggs: ‘Reclaimed Youth’ is a part of an ongoing series of pieces that explore duality in the format of a split face or character. Images in the series depict two sides, such as good vs. evil, wealth vs. poverty, hero vs. villain, etc. This piece in particular depicts idealism vs. reality.
1xRUN: What materials did you use to create this piece?
Meggs: Acrylic and aerosol painted on found/re-purposed wood.
1xRun: When was the piece created?
Meggs: September 2014
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Meggs: I continually play with pop-culture icons in my work, and I expanded on this idea in my ‘Rise & Fall’ solo show. This show represented the duality in old vs. new and the fragile human nature in corporations and iconic American symbols. In this instance, the image of Mickey Mouse was inspired by a sweater I found in a thrift store and a decaying pillow found in an abandoned building in Detroit.
Mickey (Disney) is probably the most iconic cartoon character in America and his image is instantly recognizable and almost inescapable, no matter what the context. I liked how this original version of Mickey has him sitting cross-legged with his head in his hands, seemingly content. But when I repainted the other side, it’s like he is somewhat decaying, somewhat destitute. For me, one side represents idealism, nostalgia, and wealth, whilst the other side represents a more bleak reality of life’s hardships such as loss, poverty, and mortality.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Meggs: It’s the first time I’ve remixed Mickey Mouse!
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Meggs: It portrays two sides to the icon that is Disney and how it can be twisted to represent both the good and bad aspects of ‘the American dream.’
1xRun: Where can we find you?
Meggs: Instagram@houseofmeggs – Twitter – Facebook
-1xRUN