Mark Chadwick Q&A

Mark Chadwick explores the influence of technology on society by incorporating mechanical methods in the creation of his artworks. In his art as in our daily interactions with technology, the machine nonetheless requires instruction from a human being to execute its function.

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  How did you get started in the art world Mark?   I've always had an interest in art since an early age and it was always my best subject at school. But it was on my first visit to the National Gallery in London that really inspired me to create my own works and so I continued on with the subject through university.   Your fluid paintings have captivated our members - how are they made?   There are many factors involved in the making of my works and each Fluid or Spin painting has differences in how they are made. Each work is brought together by the artist's hand but the paint is formulated to stay in it's fluid state while also manipulated through the use of machines, various tools, processes or natures forces.   Where do you go for inspiration when starting a new project?   I get my inspirations from anywhere, whether it's another artist's work, suggestions from viewers or something I’ve read or seen somewhere. But one thing I do like to do is I go back and view my previous works and try to come up with something that pushes it forward.  

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  Some say your spin paintings are highly influenced by Damien Hirst - Are they?   When it comes to Spin Painting you have no choice but to think of Damien Hirst. I started producing Spin Paintings after studying the role machines had in art and Damien Hirst's work was very much apart of that. I knew that any artist who produced a Spin painting would be compared to Hirst but I felt I could put my own 'spin' on it and concoct some new processes to use with it.   What do you think makes an artwork successful?   A successful artwork in my opinion has got to captivate and whether positive or negative get a response from the viewer. If an artwork can get that viewer to return and make them see or feel something different then that's a success.   If you could pick one museum to visit right now, what would it be?   Right now, I would visit the Pace Gallery in New York to see the Bernard Frize exhibition or Pace in London for the Keith Tyson 'Panta Rhei' exhibition. Two of my favourite artists!  

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  What work of art would you most like to own personally?   Oh wow I would take any of work by J.M.W Turner, especially his later paintings like 'The Fighting Temeraire', 'Sun Setting over a lake' or 'Norham Castle'.   What music is on at the moment in your studio?   I don't work with any music in the studio, I like the silence to concentrate! I don't want the painting to be a response to music.   Artist you most aspire to be like?   I don't really aspire to be like anybody else but myself!   Which work of yours are you most proud of?   That's a tough question because when your working with chance and relinquish full control over the artwork you have to expect the good with the not so good results. But I'm proud of any work that comes out of my studio and gives somebody pleasure, but I do have my personal favourites.

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