In late summer, a mutual friend in Perth introduced me to an artist over facebook who was looking for some heads to paint with – he’d only recently moved to Melbourne, and was pretty keen to meet other artists and to get up (as you do!).
I invited him down to a wall we were painting down in Richmond the following weekend. To be honest, I’d almost forgotten that I’d invited him down, so when a long haired, bearded stranger in a faded metal shirt rocked up looking for a spot in a rackety van (complete with missing window), I just pointed him in the general direction of some space and kept on painting. He proceeded to rock out a great little charo; from that point onwards, I was a huge fan.
Hancocks at ease nature, enthusiasm and his “where are we painting next” attitude, plus his unbridled love of art and creativity leaves an immediate impression. Drawing influences across the spectrum of skate design, graffiti, music, comics, illustration and so much more, each piece is a unique parcel of art. His personality often bleeds into the work; his sense of humour, piss taking, levity and passion perfectly intact.
I really knew very little about Hancock that first day, besides the fact that I liked the stuff I’d seen of his on fb. One of the greatest things about this kind of life we lead, and writing for this website, are the people you meet and befriend along the way – and now, some time after that first wall down in Richmond, I count Hancock as a good mate. He’s crazy talented, inspires and encourages me, as all my friends do, and his work is beginning to make a real impression on many – so much so that he was just selected for the latest round of Melbournes Secret Walls competition.
He’s also helped out us here at Invurt a lot with his design expertise over the past few months – that logo up the top there is all his, in case you were wondering. There’s just something about nuns …
At the end of the day, however, even if Hancock wasn’t known to me on a personal level, this interview would have been a foregone conclusion. It’s a bonus to be able to actually write about a friend whose work I admire, but beyond that, all of us here at Invurt love his art, his style, his sense of humour, adaptability and versatility.
We hope you enjoy this interview with Hancock as much as we enjoyed doing it
You’re originally from Perth, and you have a whole slew of creativity behind you, from design to art to music – how did you first find yourself gravitating towards becoming an artist, and what was it the spurred you in the creative direction back in the day?
I cant remember when exactly, I was quite young, around six or so, but I had a family friend that drew and played the drums. He was five years older and I guess I looked up to him. On the Easter holidays our families would often travel together, so we would occupy ourselves by drawing – I’d draw cartoons and skeletons that would live in a graveyard. I remember a scene I drew with a skeleton, called RIP’s Graveyard … I had no idea what R.I.P. meant until my Dad saw the picture and told me.
In later years that same friend taught me how to make a drum kit out of pots and plastic containers – as far as I know he’s a scientist now.
You moved over here from Perth not so long ago – what has moving to Melbourne provided for you and what have been some of the stand out moments since you’ve been here?
Melbourne has been a big change in direction for me, going from a drummer who drew, to a drawer that drums. The biggest stand out would have to be the people I have met and the new friends who continue to inspire and influence me daily.
So tell us, exactly how metal are you? As a musician also, do you find that elements of the forms of music that you listen to, or themes, bleed their way through into your artwork? A metal drummer and graff isn’t your usual combination … tell us a bit about this whole musical influence on your creative work.
Haha – well I do love metal, but I listen to a very broad range of music.
If you were to put my iTunes on shuffle you’d get anything ranging from Toto to Necrophagist, and anything in-between. But to answer your question, yes – I’m always listening to music when I’m drawing or designing. Sometimes the music influences the artwork sometimes the artwork influences my choice of music.
How differently do you approach your artwork, your design, and painting on walls? Does each require a varying methodology, or are they all derived from the same place?
I have no set approach to design, drawing or painting walls – I just think of an idea and try to reach it as well as possible.
… when it comes to painting walls I just try to keep it fun – the more people painting, the better.
For you, what constitutes the work of a “good” artist? When looking at other peoples work, what do you home in on, and what elements of other peoples work, work for you? Can you tell us a few artists here in Australia that you particularly enjoy the work of right now?
I think everyone has something different to offer in what they do, whether it’s the idea, the execution or the time spent creating. There is no right or wrong in art and I think that’s what makes it so fun. I do enjoy a strong technical sense in all forms of art, technical death metal being one of them.
Too many great artists to list!
We also have noticed that you are just as at home in an analogue art world as you are with working with digital, what do you believe are the pros and cons between both, and do you think these days in an ever evolving digital world, that you must be skilled in both areas?
I enjoy the idea that an artist is someone who, when presented with any tool can create. Computers are in our face all the time and if the only design program I’ve got on hand is M.S. paint, so be it. It’s a few hours of pixel art.
“Digital vs Analogue” is always a tough one. Across the board digital can create a far more polished result and usually in a more efficient manner. It does, however, lack the ability to transcribe style and the organic nature of creativity. Sitting in front of a computer is not at all fun. The best thing about drawing is the therapeutic effect it has and being able to just zone out. After a while, staring at a screen makes your eyes hurt and you just want to go outside.
I think being aware of both methods are important. Whether or not you choose to use one or the other is just a personal preference, both create different results and both are useful.
Since moving to Melbourne, you’ve already had two small shows at Black Cat in Fitzroy – can you tell us about these shows and what each one entailed?
Black Cat is great! I like to drink there often. The first show was about ten pieces, mixed medium, lots of fun and it introduced me to the preparation involved for a solo show, from the themes to the execution and the overall presentation and delivery of the work.
Second was with a photographer named Douglas E Pope, a good friend of mine. He asked me if I would like to collaborate on a series of photographs from around Melbourne and Cambodia. I agreed, and the end result was six A0 Polaroid prints, with digital illustration worked into and onto them – it was good fun.
You’ve just been selected as one of the contestants for this years Secret Walls here in Melbourne, up against Reliable in the first round. Tell us a little about what you love about the Secret Walls concept, and, without giving too much away, what in your mind are some of the most important aspects to keep in mind whilst battling it out?
Ah yes, this I am excited for! Secret Walls is a great concept as it gives artists an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and produce something that they may not produce otherwise. It brings a whole new element to art for me. I haven’t done live art before, apart from painting a wall and having the odd person walk past and say “this looks great, I don’t like them tags though …”
Having a good idea as to who your opponent is, is important I think. Other than that, do what you do and focus on the task at hand – utilising all the tools and time you have will also be beneficial.
So tell us, having moved here from Perth … exactly how did you deal with the chocolate milk/iced coffee situation? Melbourne milk seems such a poor substitute and we’ve yet to find a real replacement for our beloved Masters …
Now we’re getting serious.
The iced coffee situation threw me a little at first. I went to a truck stop on the Nullarbor where they had a sign above the iced coffee saying “ignore the use by date, we freeze our milk products.” Desperate times, desperate measures I guess … I only drank a couple of mouthfuls.
I must say though, that not only did I find an equal to Masters, but I do feel Farmers Union is by far the king of all Iced Coffee products!
What else are you hoping to accomplish this year for your art? Do you have any shows lined up, any ideas of projects you’d like to work on, and what else would you like to explore?
I’m just going with the flow at the moment – jumping on opportunities as they arise, I’m still new to the game and I have a lot to learn.
As for projects, painting the town red is a good place to start …
Check out Hancocks website, as well as the Secret Walls facebook page for more info on the artist and his upcoming battle with Reliable!
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