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Speaking with Artist, Famous When Dead
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 9:37:30 AM Europe/London
Andy Turner is known in the art world as Famous When Dead. He’s an amazing artist whose work features fallen icons and intriguing subjects, often obscured and manipulated to give them a completely unprecedented look.
We were lucky enough to catch up with Andy in our latest Azutura interview. We discussed his creative process, his dark sense of humour, how he keeps his work fresh and more.
Hi Andy - Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Can you start by introducing yourself?
Hi, yeah sure, I’m Andy, known as Famous When Dead. I’m a graphic designer and artist based in the UK.
I love the name; Famous When Dead. I take it this is a play on the many artists who died unknown and penniless over the years?
Yes, kind of, but not directly. I was very heavily into street art at the time and using an alias seemed to make sense. It allows me to separate my art from my daily life and explore my creativity more naturally.
So what’s the average day like in the life of Andrew Turner?
I get up around 7:00 am, have a coffee, walk the dog, have another coffee and then get ready for the day. I’m a single dad of three so downtime is very rare.
After the school run, I head to work as a graphic designer (which is my 9-5). After work, If I’m lucky, I’ll head to the studio for a few hours.
That sounds like a hectic life! Can you tell us about your creative process from the inception of an idea through to the final product?
Sure - It always starts with a sketch, then I refine the idea and work out how to best produce a painted artwork from it. I usually already have the colours in my mind at this stage and can visualise the final piece. Then, I move to digital and work on creating a photoshop mockup that I will eventually use as a guide for the painting.
Once I’m happy with the digital sketch, I move on to painting. A lot can change at this stage as new ideas spring to mind all the time. I like to keep it organic and just go with the flow.
When the painting is finished, I’ll scan the artwork at the highest resolution possible before varnishing the original.
What do you typically use to create your work?
I mainly paint with acrylic on wood or canvas but I have also used ink, graffiti pens, spray paint and collage in past works
In a lot of your pieces, you’ve obscured the faces of your subjects - What does this symbolise?
I like to explore the idea of identity and have always been fascinated by the way people project themselves and how those projections are often false ones designed to please others. The face is the window to the soul and I think we all wear masks to hide our insecurities. Also, I’ve suffered with anxiety a lot in the past and so this is just how I choose to express it.
You’ve said that your recent work features “reoccurring subjects of fragile celebrity and fallen idols” - Why do you find these subjects so intriguing?
Again, it’s the identity theme and the realisation that under the facade of celebrity is a normal, often fragile human being.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Everywhere and anywhere.
I’d say a twisted British sense of humour is clearly at the root of your work - Who’re some of your favourite comedians/comedy films/shows?
Haha, thank you. Both my fave comedy films are from the Cohen Brothers, Raising Arizona and The Big Lebowski.
My favourite comedy TV shows are Alan Partridge, Spaced, Black Books, and Seinfeld.
Favourite comedians are Bill Hicks and Stuart Lee. There are probably many more that I just can’t think of right now.
Your art spans many different themes and genres keeping it fresh and interesting - Can you discuss this a little?
I used to be involved with a lot of group shows where the galleries would set the theme of the exhibition. Then, the artists would have a limited time to produce new art for the show. The themes would tend to be things like cult movies and pop culture references.
It was a lot of fun at the time and helped me develop and produce new art, but it very quickly became work and the time restraints used to be stressful.
Do you have any advice for an aspiring artist?
Yes, stop trying to please everyone and do what you want.
What does the future look like? Anything big coming up?
I have few projects lined up but nothing I can really talk about at the moment. I’m currently planning and working on new paintings so I should have lots to see very soon.
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