Brendan Monroe, guest artist
(version française below)
Each season, Bask in the Sun collaborates with several visual artists, photographers and illustrators for its series of printed tees. Brendan Monroe (see all products) is a versatile artist. His comics, sculptures and drawings are inspired by science and nature. He explores the states of matter. His wooden and ceramic figures seem to go from solid to liquid (or even gas!). His ink drawings trace abstract landscapes in the form of topographical lines. You don't know whether you're on Mars or in the ocean! Meet the artist.
Who are you? Where are you from?
I'm Brendan Monroe. I'm from Southern California, and I grew up and lived in a lot of places there.
You make toys, ceramic and wood sculptures, illustrations for newspapers and magazines, paintings and murals. Is there a medium for every idea? Is there a link between your sometimes very different works?
Yes, of course. Each project activates a different creative spring, and at the same time they end up feeding off each other. I often have ideas for personal projects that one day end up as a commission for a customer... and vice versa! And then I think that if I limited myself to just one medium, I'd get a bit bored.
I read that you have a passion for science. Do you really?
I was a science student, and for a long time I didn't think it was realistic to consider a career in art. I thought art would remain a hobby for me, and in the end it was science that became a hobby. In fact, it's a field that fascinates me... and inspires my creations! I love observing and understanding the world around me. It gives meaning to my life.
You recently participated in Pow! Wow! Festival in Long Beach, California, creating a mural with your wife Evah Fan. It was your first joint project with her for an outdoor wall. What was it like working on this project together?
It was a lot of work, actually. Because you had to think together and have a global vision. But I really enjoyed it. There were quiet moments, when we were both concentrating next to each other. I really enjoyed it.
Why did you agree to work with Bask in the Sun, a French brand far from where you live...
I'm never in Guéthary, but I've been there once before, in San Sebastian. I immediately understood the spirit of Bask in the Sun, your love of the ocean... So I was really happy to be one of the guest artists and to have the opportunity to see my work in your collections. What's more, when I entrusted you with my design, I was sure that you would take good care of it and make beautiful products. Thank you
... english version
Who are you? Where do you come from?
I'm Brendan Monroe. I from Southern California, I kinda grew up all over the place there.
You make toys, wood and ceramic sculptures, illustrations for newspapers and magazines, paintings on canvas and murals. Do you use those mediums to explore different ideas. Is there a link between our different works?
Oh yea, Of course. Every different thing exercises a different creative muscle and they all end up feeding into each other somehow. I often get ideas for personal work from client work and vice versa. Plus if I just stuck to one thing I think I would get a little bored.
While they are really different, your landscapes remind me of the French illustrator Moebius. Do you read his comic strips?
I haven't read many of his stories, but his work is beautiful and amazing. He has a way of making a complete world with his ideas that I really admire.
Some interviews refers to your interest fore science. What about it?
I used to think that art was not a realistic career and before that I was studying science. I always thought that art would just be a hobby, but now science is more a hobby, or really it's smaller than that and now a fascination. It works it's way back into my work as one of my inspirations. I just love to look and understand the world in an more analytic way, I think it illuminates life for me.
You recently participate to the Pow! Wow! Festival in Long Beach (CA), painting a wall with your wife Evah Fan. It seems that it was the first collaboration for a mural with her. What did you learn of this two-artist approach of a project?
Oh, I learned that is was not half the amount of work, haha. It was more, but it was really enjoyable to be working toward the same goal together. The best moments were being quiet, and concentrating equally together, painting in the zone. I loved it.
Last question. Why did you say 'yes' to collaborate with Bask in the Sun? A French brand far from where you're living...
I've never been to Guéthary, but I have been near the coast there, like in San Sebastian. I immediately understand the love for the ocean and the sea that Bask in the Sun has, so I was really happy to be invited to have my work there. Now people in a part of the world that I can connect with can see my work. Plus, I knew you would take care with the design and make a beautiful product. Thank you.
