Interview with Romanywg

Hi Romanywg, Can you introduce yourself in few words? Where are you
from?

My real name is Jeremy Gibbs but I use my daughters name Romany Wixon Gibbs on the forums and it has now stuck, not that she minds too much. I am from Hampton in deepest suburbia. Married with two kids and I work as a Film Editor



What's your artistic background? If any !

Two years Foundation Arts Course. That covers Fine Art, screen printing, etching, sculpture, photography, graphic design and history of art. Then 2 years Studio Practice and Design (Graphic Design) This was all pre computers unfortunately.



What kind of material you feel the most comfortable to work with?

I work with Milliput which is a putty that sets rock hard, is fully water & heat resistant and does not expand or contract. I have been told that with prolonged use it ruins your nerves in the end of your fingers.
Nice to know!



You use Queen Victoria as a model in your sculptures, why this
person in particular? Any affinities with the Royal Family?

That's funny, actually my wife went to school with the Royals. Schhhhhh!
I just found one of these Victorias and went from there. I do keep on stating it, but you have to know, these are 'found busts' customised with additions much the same as Banksy customised a ballerina with an actionman gasmask. Mind you, one of those sold not so long ago for over £70,000! I don't do the original sculpture I just customise them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/romanywg/sets/72157601895586623/



I came from a Customising Vinyl (Toy) background where a lot of street artists painted and made limited edition toys. Shepard Fairey, Doze Green, Futura, are just a few of them. The scene was very underground at the time and instead of painting these toys I started to add things onto them. I took it as far as I could but the toy collecting got out of hand and I needed a change and that happened when I happened to walk past Santas Ghetto in 2005. I am a very addictive person and have always collected 'things'. These past couple years it has been Limited Edition Prints.



And what about that bondage thing?.Go on, you need to clarify few
things for us ;)

That's funny, I once made an S&M Toy and people that gave me feedback were saying 'I never knew you were into that shit!'
You don't have to be into it, fortunately....... or not.
Bondage is such a strong image and if it's XXX it can be quite frightening or exhilarating depending on what rocks your boat. It can also be quite amusing and that's how I've tried to use it. Very tongue in cheek.
Lets face it, Queen Victoria was no oil painting and the idea of her wearing leather or rubber has to put a smile on your face.



We noticed some movies of yours posted on Youtube and other site,
some great work there! Is it something you wish to develop?

Definitely. The scene/movement, whatever you want to call it, needs to be documented. I would like to have a good relationship with as many galleries/artists as possible and hopefully film as many shows as I can and ideally the preparation that goes into those shows.
The artist at work. I find it extremely interesting how each artist works and there are some amazing artists out there that will survive whatever happens with this movement. Who's to say just how important that Herakut Show might be in 10 years time or Nick Walkers first Solo show in the States.
It all needs to be documented and I enjoy being a part of it.



Any more sculptures in the pipeline?

Lots of ideas in my head at the moment but there are never enough hours in the day are there? The filming comes first, then paid work needs to come along to help pay for the filming. But yes there will be more.

When the Beathovens are out of the way that will hopefully pay for my trip to Bethlehem to see the wall and film over there.
Watch this space.



What will be the best thing to happen for you in 2008?

For Adam Neate to say "yeah sure, come along to my studio for a week and film me painting"

Romanywg excellent Herakut video


You can see more of Romanywg's work on Youtube Here
For his Flickr, check this