Shane Bowden

Multi-faceted modern artist from Australia whose oeuvre in paintings and prints are reminiscent of such pop icons as Warhol, Koons, and Hirst.

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DESCRIBE YOURSELF AND THE WORK THAT YOU CREATE.

Insightful and holding a mirror to what and who people really are.

WHO HAVE YOU WORKED WITH AND WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE ASSIGNMENT?

I did some work for Paul McCarthy in 2014 in preparation for his Brancusi Tree (The Butt Plug) in Paris. He needed to do an edition of inflatables, so I was asked to test and paint these inflatable "trees" to see if the paint would hold and see what colors we could get out of them. Very messy... and the studio looked like a dirty porn set.

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RECOUNT YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN ARTIST.

I find it is a constantly evolving experience, always trying to validate to yourself that you are one, or that you can at least call yourself one. Originally I was a musician, and it was just something I did during the day to give me something to explore creatively.

YOU'VE TAKEN A LOT OF RISKS ALONG THE WAY, BUT WHAT WAS YOUR DEFINING ONE WHERE EVERYTHING WAS ON THE LINE?

My childhood was okay. I was at boarding school at the age of 11, and art and the creative classes were not really embraced that much. I also was completely insecure in myself and what people thought. My parents completely fucked with my head. I wasn't close to my family, haven't really spoken to my parents in over 20 years. I think art and who I am now is really a complete rebellion of who I was supposed to be or expected to be.

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HOW HAS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUPPORTED YOU THROUGHOUT IT ALL?

My wife is amazing, and without her support and her as a professional business partner, I don't think I could do it sometimes. She helps keep me focused on what is important each day in order to be successful.

HOW DID YOUR CHILDHOOD SHAPE YOU INTO THE MAN AND ARTIST YOU ARE TODAY?

My childhood was okay. I was at boarding school at the age of 11, and art and the creative classes were not really embraced that much. I also was completely insecure in myself and what people thought. My parents completely fucked with my head. I wasn't close to my family, haven't really spoken to my parents in over 20 years. I think art and who I am now is really a complete rebellion of who I was supposed to be or expected to be.

LOOKING BACK ON ALL THAT HAS UNFOLDED, WHAT NUGGETS OF WISDOM HAVE YOU LEARNED AND EMBRACED?

That you have to be open everyday to constantly learning and trying new things. Also that what you like to paint and produce is never what the customer or viewer likes. Very very rarely!

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IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

Never care what people think. Ever.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAS ALLOWED YOU TO BREAK THROUGH AND SUCCEED, PARTICULARLY AMONGST YOUR PEERS?

You must be committed to doing your own thing, and not concerned with what anyone else is doing. You also must work every single day on your work.

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WHO ARE THE MENTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED AND INSPIRED YOUR LIFE?

Clint Eastwood as a filmmaker and his endless pursuit of his craft. Damien Hirst as an entrepreneur in the art world.

IS THERE ANY ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE A YOUNG PERSON FOLLOWING THEIR PASSION AS AN ARTIST?

Stop trying to "become an artist". Just be one! And when someone tells you how good or bad you are, just smile, say nothing. Then go back to work.

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WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CREATIVITY, WHAT DO YOU FIND YOURSELF CONSTANTLY SEARCHING FOR?

To stop thinking and let your creative instinct take over. To get into the "zone".

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP YOU CREATIVELY INSPIRED AND CONSISTENTLY INNOVATING?

Architecture and amazing chefs.

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LOOKING AT OUR WORLD, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN IMPACT AND CHANGE ABOUT IT?

I wish I could get everyone off social media. We are building such an absurd and distorted reality through it.

WE ALL DREAM OF LEAVING A LEGACY. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR, AND WHY?

Being a good father to my boys.

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ANY CURRENT ALBUMS, ARTISTS OR SONGS ON REPEAT?

Colin Hay (ex "Men At Work" singer).

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW?

Magnolia by Paul Thomas Anderson.

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FAVORITE BOOK?

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

FAVORITE FOOD?

Sashimi.

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STAR WARS OR STAR TREK?

Neither. Buck Rodgers.

WHAT IMPORTANT TRUTH DO VERY FEW PEOPLE AGREE WITH YOU ON?

Most people are small minded and selfish, and scared to tell you what they are really thinking.