Last month Tim Meakins launched his first solo exhibition Always Alive at Bivs. We took a little time out to chat with Tim about his recent works and life as an artist.
Hey Tim Meakins. How are you?
Hi! Im very well, feeling healthy and strong. Had an apple this morning as well.
Congratulations on 'Always Alive' and thanks for gracing Bivs' walls with your artwork.
Thank you and thanks for having me!
So we know you're a talented and in-demand young designer and a great artist. Where did your connection to the arts start?
The connection started very early for me, I realise that now but at the time I never perceived it as something I wanted to do. I was always heavily into comics and wanted to draw superheroes but never had the natural talent or patience. When I started to study design it became very clear that I finally had the 'want' to create. I think all I needed was a platform and in this case was a computer, eventually it became an obsession and here we are today. It was not until very recently I started to paint the illustrations and with the help of people like Martin E Wills was able to create for an audience. Feels good.
What or who inspires you?
I honestly think anything and anyone really. I am heavily inspired on how people perceive items or objects. The components and intricacies that make up the item to help us conceive what that 'thing is'. Hopefully that makes sense haha. But really people, places, objects, how people act, emotions, food, anything.
If you were to describe your work in three words, what would they be?
Haha you already know whats its gonna be, its always cute, sometimes I'm unsure if cute is a good thing but thats just my thing I guess. Colourful, Cute and Playful.
Some people might think simple work is easy. What would you say to them?
I would say simple work can be easy, but also think simple is the hardest thing to create. I come from a heavy design background and imprinted in my mind are these principles that constantly allow me create but in a way box me in. Now I'm not saying its a bad thing, the box is super chill and allows me to think in a different headspace to access all the fundamental ideas that I would when designing a publication for instance. The box is a good thing. But simple design to me is problem solving. Thats why its hard. Its also a preference idea, I enjoy simple effective design so thats how my illustration and art should reflect. Also have a strange obsession with balance.
What are you listening to right now?
Listening to a producer called Indian Wells from Italy.
Where can your new fans see your work next?
Instagram is probably the best way to keep updated with me, have a bunch of new projects underway so some new things on the rise. @tim__meakins
Thank you Tim!
No thank you!
Head into Bivs to check out Always Alive over a graze and gabble.