Interview with Klingatron

Hi, Can you introduce yourself for us? (Where you from etc...)

I'm from Glasgow, Scotland and work under the name Klingatron.





What's your background? Art school? Self learner? Art for Dummies?

I graduated from Art school back in 2004 where I studied illustration but it wasn't until my final year until I became aware of using stencils as a way of creating work that I was happy with. I was easily frustrated with my drawing style and it took a really bad arm break for me to realize that I needed to focus on what I want to do and how I wanted to go about doing it. My tutors were not familiar with stencils so I dedicated my time and efforts towards learning how to create stencils in the best way that suited myself and I haven?t stopped cutting since.





How will you describe your art for somebody who doesn't know your stuff?

It seems that the best way to describe my work is highly detailed and delicate stencil work, when I mention stencils then people say "Like Banksy??" to which I say "yes and no." My work is by no means political or has any direct message to get across but from the initial understanding of how the stencil is used I can then explain the process of how the work is created and that it is an appreciation of my surrounding environment and most recently figurative.



What are your favourite materials to work with?

All I need is my knife with plenty of spare blades and Montana Gold and with those I paint my paintings on wood and heavy-duty cartridge paper.





How long does it take you to produce a piece? Do you start out with a sketchbook or do you freehand all the way?

The majority of my time is spent cutting out the stencils, I find myself going into a state of near mediation as I spend hours upon hours cutting out a layer for a stencil. The multi-layered paintings can take way over 100 hours to cut but only 7 hours to apply the paint, and only a couple of seconds to destroy the stencils once the painting is finished. I think for me personally the ideas for paintings come with out sketchbook work.



Where do you get your inspiration from?

I always carry my camera with me looking for new and interesting things to snap that I think may make a good painting, my environment whether at home or abroad is an continuous inspiration for me, but I get inspiration from a lot of different things from the music I listen to, to conversations with people. This list could go on and on.





Do you paint/draw/work outside sometimes? Where can we see your stuff?

I am an indoor artist exhibiting my work in galleries and shows mostly.



Who influence you the most, any favourite artist(s)?

Favourite artists include Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt Peter Howson, Ken Currie, Archie Forrest from a fine art perspective whilst I love the works of Jose Parla, Futura, Kofie, Mr Jago, Will Barras, Elph, Connor Harrington. A big influence for me is Mr Cartoon, not only do I admire his work but also his focus and discipline to his craft. When listening to interviews it is hard to ignore the dedication and commitment he gives to his art.





Living as an artist is sometimes difficult financially, any part time jobs?

I have a full time job on the side for the time being.





What do you think of the current "Street Art" movement?

Keep it coming.



Best Gallery in the world? and why?

The Tate Modern, London. I got to see an Egon Schiele years ago and I just love the building itself.





Best City to paint outside? and why?

Hard for me to say.



Beer and Fag or Tea and Biscuit?

Tea and Biscuits then some beer later on. I don't smoke.





What are your plans in the near future? Any upcoming exhibitions?

I have been busy with several shows so far this year and will hopefully have an exhibition with the Xynthetic family later this year. But for now I plan to work on some new paintings and a couple of things that I'll keep close to my chest for now.







The work from Klingatron's recent exhibition 'The Face Off' @ The Soup Gallery is available to view and purchase here:

http://shop.thesoupgallery.co.uk/category/klingatron