Local artist profile: Chris Duffy

THIS week we chat to muralist and street artist Chris Duffy, who uses digital methods to develop his work before taking a traditional approach to creating the final piece.

What motivated you to become a pop/street artist?

I have always been fascinated by art, especially painting. As a child, I loved spending hours in national galleries.

As time went on, I found myself more and more drawn to larger, bolder, more colorful paintings that depicted familiar scenes and people.

I joined the street art movement relatively late, after discovering the brilliant works of artists such as Banksy, Pegasus and Bambi and wanting to emulate their genius in one of the oldest known forms of expression and storytelling.

How would you describe your style?

My style is eclectic, with my mind constantly scanning and processing the shapes, colors and visual images that I encounter.

The internet has had a huge impact because it is an endless source of images that I collect by right-clicking and saving or by taking screenshots on my iPad.

From the moment an idea pops into my head, to sourcing images and drafting concepts, to creating the final working sketch that I transfer to canvas, I do everything on my desktop and iPads.

However, I take a traditional approach to creating a painting. The craft of painting is very important to me – the overall aesthetic, the quality of the paint and finish, how I hold the brush and the hand-painted nuances that naturally arise.

Which other artists inspire you?

My inspirations often change, but my friend and occasional mentor, Italian pop artist Giancarlo Montuschi, stands out. He is one of the most beautiful and original people I have ever met.

Another artist I admire is the American artist, writer and critic David Salle.

I’m also blown away by the work of UK-based Spanish street artist Jay Kaes; he’s a master and perhaps one of the founders of the glitch pop style.

Australian pop artist Ben Frost is a gem!

The stories and paintings of our own Rover Thomas amaze me and the skill of LA-based Matt Gondek’s “pop-deconstructivist” and commercially inspired art is mind-blowing.

What are some highlights of your career?

I have been fortunate to experience some truly special moments in my artistic career, including several public projects here in Bendigo. A highlight was a recent historic mural commissioned by the City of Greater Bendigo and installed on a heritage wall in the gardens of Dudley House.

How can people see your work online?

I am active on Facebook and YouTube, (but) I tend to direct people to my Instagram page HA_HO_ART

Do you have any exhibitions coming up soon?

I am excited and deeply immersed in the preparations for an upcoming exhibition at the Living Art Space in the historic old post office building and visitor center.

Inspired by the work of artist Giancarlo Montuschi, this exhibition focuses on depictions of Bendigo with a retro-futuristic twist.

What would you say to young, aspiring pop/street artists from the region who are thinking about trying their hand at the creative life?

I have to remind myself of this quote from Andy Warhol from time to time and I would recommend all aspiring and ambitious artists to make it their mantra: “Don’t think about making art, just do it. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, love it or hate it. While they’re deciding, make some more art.”