Nobody Notices
Joe Boyd is a mixed media artist based in England. By creating conceptual art projects that experiment with various different mediums and subject matters, Joe’s aim is to challenge the perception of what art can be.
Original Magazine: Did you always know that you wanted to be a mixed media artist? and if so, what is it about the practise that fuels your creativity?
Joe Boyd: I always wanted to make art since I was a child, but I’ve been interested in many things over the years from music to fashion, film and photography. The work I make now has been a natural progression of that curiosity, and it’s a great way of combining those different mediums into one creative output.
O.M: Who are your biggest artistic influences?
J.B: Probably Marcel Duchamp, because he’s the beginning of everything I love about art. It’s important for me to make work that challenges the purpose and function of art, and that really started with him.
O.M: What objects/appliances do you look out for in order to scan, print and create works with?
J.B: There’s nothing specific I look out for, but I’m always hoping to come across a material I’ve never used before, or to see something really obvious from a new perceptive. Inspiration is really about keeping our eyes and minds open to all the possibilities that surround us.
O.M: When did you decide to film your processes and create your wonderful reels? We find them SO inspiring to watch!
J.B: One day I decided to make a self portrait, but had the idea to apply my mixed media process to its creation. As I was making it, I suddenly realised that it might produce a cool step by step video, so I filmed it and put it online. That was kind of a lightbulb moment and I continued making them every single day! It’s been great to see such a positive reaction to them, because often the artistic process is something that’s kept a secret, but I wanted to pull back the curtain and show the entire journey.
O.M: Do you think social media is an integral part of an artists practice?
J.B: Yes of course. If you want people to know about your work, it’s the best way to reach a wide audience. I know a lot of people don’t like having to promote themselves on social media, but it’s really about finding creative ways of utilising it, in service of your art. I think of the videos and images I post online as another avenue of my artistic output, not as a burden.
O.M: How long do you usually spend on a project? Does every project work out the way you planned?
J.B: The time varies a lot depending on the project. Sometimes it takes 1 hour, sometimes months. Although, it’s always the ones the come together spontaneously that seem to be the most impactful. I would honestly hate for something to work out the way I planned it! I only ever start with a seed of an idea, and then let things develop in any way that feels right. I would find it really boring to have a specific outcome to work to, because you lose all the excitement and discovery that experimentation has to offer.
O.M: Congratulations on your solo exhibition: ‘Nobody Notices’ can you tell us a little bit about the exhibition & what audiences can expect to see?
J.B: Thank you! ‘Nobody Notices’ explores the texture and form of everyday objects that we often overlook as being ordinary or banal. I’ve spent the last 4 months experimenting with a wide variety of different materials and processes, such as printing, scanning and also using projectors and microscopes to aid my work. Through a series of final screen prints, I want to challenge the viewer to appreciate their surroundings with a new perspective, and begin to notice more beauty in the world around them.
O.M: What advice would you give to students & emerging creatives wanting to further their career?
J.B: The best advice I can give anyone is to make as much work as you can. The more you make, the quicker you’ll find out what works for you and what doesn’t. This process of elimination will also help to form your own personal style. However, once you’ve made something, it’s just as important to share it with the world. The more you share your art with other people, the more confidence you’ll build in your own abilities. These two things will give you the momentum you need to succeed.
‘Nobody Notices’ explores the texture and form of everyday objects that we often overlook as being ordinary or banal, challenging us to appreciate our surroundings with a new perspective.
March 4th - March 29th, Open Monday to Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Level Best Gallery
26 St Johns Street
Colchester, Essex
CO2 7HB