Interview with David Farrer

q) Well, first of all please tell us a little about yourself.

a)I live with my partner Cordelia, in rural Surrey, having relocated from Yorkshire (I was born in Leeds & raised near Harrogate, the town that hosted the 1982 Eurovision song contest, which was won by the Germans!). We have two dogs & a studio at the end of the garden. London is about 50 minutes away by train.

q) Had you always planned on being an artist [or had you other hopes]?

a)I hoped to be an artist or a marine biologist but was rubbish at mathematics so art won. I loved the Film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou as it reminded me of the funny old Jaques Cousteau movies in the 70’s

q) Do you have a preferred medium to work on? Why?

a)Most of our work is made with plaster bandage & papier mache. We like to use recycled or sustainable materials whenever possible as it fits in with the ‘green’ ethos behind the work. I also like handmade paper & print fonts, having majored in intaglio printmaking at university.

q) How would you describe your style?

a)I’m English so according to Italians probably have no sense of style (ha ha!) The sculpture is intended to mock trophy hunting, to look real at a distance but on closer inspection revealing it’s true form. We often cover animals in literature specific to them or their plight. So basically it is a caricature pretending not to be, if that makes sense

q) Do you go through any certain processes while trying to produce your work?

a)Yes, although the work we make is entirely individual (not cast). There are many specific stages, making armature, covering with plaster/paper etcetera….so we tend to work on several composite pieces at a time as each stage needs to dry before undertaking the next

q) What are you working on at present?

a)Your questionnaire, A Zebra, Toad, Fox & Sheep

q) What about recent sources of inspirations?

a)Life is pretty inspiring, as are people who make something from nothing without spending money unnecessarily.

q) What are some of your obsessions?

a)Good food (especially seafood), wine, holidays, cinema & music.

q) Which galleries have you shown at and which galleries would you like to show at?

a)Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London, Stamford Arts Centre, West Dean Art Gallery, Mercer Gallery in Harrogate, Dean Clough Gallery in Halifax, Centre Culturel in Vence, Everard Read in Johannesburg, Harley Gallery in Nottinghamshire……..and loads of others that I can’t remember without looking.

q) If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

a)Via the contact button on the web site (by email preferably or by phone)

q) Do you have any suggestions or advice for artists that are just starting out?

a)DO NOT GIVE UP! I have seen plenty of art in exhibitions which was not as good as the work of people who only stuck at it for a short time before quitting. If you think you are good enough then keep the faith & eventually you will get your break. Do not take ‘no’ for an answer from gallery owners (they can be unfriendly and unhelpful and often wrong in their judgement!)

q) Who are your favorite artists?

a)Richard Scarry, Breughel, Vermeer, Botticelli, Waterhouse

q) What books are on your nightstand?

a)Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunnant (a story set in 15th/16th century Florence)

q) To what weaknesses are you most indulgent?

a)Seafood, going on holiday, snorkelling, playing Frisbee, having a laugh, seeing if Leeds United have won or not (it’s usually ‘not’ these days).