Digital art has exploded with the modern age and with it, brilliant and fantastic artists have emerged from its rupture. Art Curator has recently interviewed Michael Jordon, a local Digital Artist born in Johannesburg.
He studied Actuarial Science at Wits and moved to Cape Town in 2014 where he was inspired by the cities First Thursday events where the local galleries stay open late into the night.
We currently have three of his works up in the Gallery – please see below.
CONVERSATIONS WITH MICHAEL JORDON:
1. You do such meaningful creations
How long on average does it take you to complete one?
“On average it takes around one week, but I have worked on some pieces that take a couple of months before I finally decide that they are completed.”
2. I can imagine that with all that time on a computer that you need to take a decent break?
“I do spend the majority of my time on the computer, whether its making art, reading, watching movies, programming, etc. But I do take one day off every week to go practice karting for the Clubman’s series at Killarney Raceway.”
3. Do you work from home?
“Yes, I battle to work if I don’t have my Nespresso coffee machine close by.”
4. How did you start with art?
“My grandfather used to paint landscapes and was also an engineer. He was forever coming up with creative solutions. Art was one of my highest marks in Grade 9, but unfortunately, I had to choose between Art and Information Technology as I was unable to do both at school. When I was little, I would take many A3 papers together and create these massive maps in pencil.
5. Is this your only hobby/work or do you have other things that you like to get involved in? A day job?
I’m an Actuarial Consultant so I get to work from home and can choose how I spend my hours. Recently I’ve become engrossed with blockchain technology and have learned how to create decentralized applications.
6. Is there something that you have always wanted to make, like a dream art project?
I want to take my digital art to the next level and introduce programming. I also want to branch out into writing and get a book published.
7. Do you have a favorite saying/thought?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding” Proverbs 3:5
8. Name three things on your bedside table.
1. Bose Headphones, I don’t think I go a day without using them
2. A book (Currently Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis)
3. Earplugs, I live right next to the highway and some nights can get noisy.
9. Out of the three artworks that we have here at the gallery – which one is your favorite and why?
The piece called Facing Beauty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful face and I couldn’t help but make as many copies of it as I could. I’m pleased with how realistic I was able to make the eyes. It took so many circles and other vectors to pull off. On a more symbolic level the piece shows how beauty can infatuate the mind and make it so obsessed that it blots everything else out:
Facing Beauty – Edition 1/1, Perspex, 100cm x 100cm. Currently on display at the Art Curator Gallery.
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