Initially recognised for his multi-layer street stencils and posters, Meggs has become a well respected member of Australia’s street art culture. With a background of graffiti, skateboarding, heavy metal and graphic design Meggs has developed his painting skills from street to galleries with a mixture of aerosol based character work and stencil based expressive canvases. Read on for more on Meggs including photos of past works and our short interview where Meggs talks about early influences, the first piece of art he bought and what else he has in the works and be sure to check out Megg’s latest print The Truth which is available exclusively on 1xRUN.com.
1xRUN Thru Interview
The Truth by Meggs
1xRun: When was the piece drawn and created?
Meggs: It was created for my ‘Inner Demons’ exhibition in London, June 2011.
1xRun: How did this piece come about?
Meggs: ‘Inner Demons’ is an exploration of fears, desires and obstacles which each person faces within themselves. A demon is commonly represented as an undesirable evil, however when personal challenges are overcome these ‘demons’ can become empowered as a symbol of achievement and self-reflection. Meggs continues his observation of human dualities by combining demonic and human elements in expressive layered canvas works, photographic references and illustrated symbols.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Meggs: 1 week
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Meggs: It’s the ‘hero’ artwork created for the ‘Inner Demons’ exhibition as it strongly symbolizes the idea behind this body of work and was therefore used for all promotional material and as a large scale print for the window of the exhibition space in London.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece ?
Meggs: This work symbolizes a progression in my work and was an exhibition that explored my ideas on duality and self-reflection a much deeper and more personal level.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Meggs: Symbolic.
1xRUN: When did you first start making art?
Meggs: I’ve been making ‘art’ in different forms, on-and-off, my whole life but my street-art habits took full flight in about 2003 and my move to take art more seriously probably happened around 2007.
1xRUN: What artists inspired you early on?
Meggs: All my fellow Everfresh artists: Sync, Rone, Reka, Phibs, Prism, Maktron,Wonderlust and the Tooth, of course. And many others like Brett Whiteley, Francis Bacon, Anthony Lister, Dave Kinsey, Craola, Dave Choe, Banksy etc.
Everfresh Collaboration Wall
1xRUN:What artists inspire you now?
Meggs: That’s a hard one but right now I’m really into the works of Dave Choe, Conor Harrington, Blu, Kid Zoom.
1xRUN: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?
Meggs: Definitely, I couldn’t work without music. Usually it’s metal or punk or something fast as well as atmospheric soundtrack stuff and 80’s style synth instrumental. So many bands but to mention a few right now I’d say Russian Circles, Tool, Zombie, Suicidal Tendencies, The Bronx etc…
1xRUN: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Meggs: Does a big print of an airbrushed Lamborghini Countach in the 80’s count?
1xRUN: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Meggs: The Toshikazu Nozaka tattoo on my right calf. Inevitably I’ll keep that for life!
Toshikazu Nozaka
1xRUN: What else do you have in the works currently?
Meggs: I have an upcoming solo exhibition at WhiteWalls Gallery, San Francisco, opening 14 July 2012, followed by a solo exhibition at Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne, opening 10 October 2012. Also, I’ve had a recent tee release with AnyForty UK.
1xRUN: Where can people find you across the internette?
Meggs: Twitter/Instagram – @houseofmeggs
-1xRUN