I met Justin Hager about three years in the past on a rooftop in New York Metropolis, when it was barely secure to go exterior after vaccinations. Hager’s the type of individual you understand is an artist the second you take a look at him–partly in his unequalled vogue that feels effortlessly cool and has secured him collaborations with Collina Strada and Vans, but additionally in his considerably quiet demeanor that makes you assume he has 1,000,000 ideas operating round in his head. These ideas must be put down someplace, leading to illustrations which have caught the eyes of Remi Wolf, FUCT, and Volcom, to call a number of. The extension of his apply is now on view at WHAAM! gallery in NYC the place Hager’s latest creation of works underline a standard theme inside his artwork: the profound magnificence that resides within the rejected. I instantly fell in love with these items–the romanticism of ruffled bows in spackle and tulips painted mid-bloom, combined amongst tattered books and scribbled letters. It’ll depart your coronary heart beating like the top of a candy rollercoaster experience, dizzy with pleasure and prepared for yet one more.
Shaquille Heath: Inform me the way you got here up with the identify Curler Coaster for the title of the exhibition?
Justin Hager: At first I simply preferred how the phrase sounded. However then I assumed it was a pleasant phrase play on the highs and lows of life, like a comedy tragedy of a fairy story. I really feel just like the present is a experience of each heavy and light-weight feelings.
These works have an extremely lovely white body to them–are you able to inform me about that course of and the inspirations?
The framework on the bigger works are created from spackle that I caked onto the canvas and carved away with instruments that I made myself. I needed to current the bigger work in a extra lovely approach than I’ve in previous reveals, and I used to be impressed by the framework of renaissance work at museums. I like that the spackle has inconsistencies virtually like when a landlord paints over the identical piece of chipped molding numerous occasions. I feel the failings within the spackle are what makes it fairly and provides the work extra character.
I do know you’re a self-taught artist–how do you method new mediums and strategies?
It’s actually simply trial and error. I’m at all times making an attempt to be taught and develop, and making an attempt out new provides to see if I can determine them out is a pleasant apply for that. Recently I’ve been experimenting with oil, spackle, and molding pastes, and it’s been tremendous enjoyable studying the way to mix oil and make 3d designs with the spackle and pastes. I labored with largely acrylic and ink for thus lengthy, I needed to virtually begin over and fall in love with portray once more for this present, and studying the way to paint with oil and the brand new textures actually did that for me.
One in every of my favourite items is the “Turns Out I’m Nonetheless Alive” e-book–you might have many books the place you write these constructive manifestations on them. How do you determine on what sayings to make use of?
I’ve a steady checklist of concepts in my notes app that I’m including to consistently, so every time I feel a portray wants phrases I reference that. Within the work the place there’s a couple of I attempt to have a mixture of sincere thought, comedy, a vulnerability, a sense, a phrase I like, and many others. I additionally wish to hold the work open-ended so folks can hook up with them in their very own approach, and give you their very own interpretations of what the sayings imply to them.
There’s so many tulips all through the work–I’m questioning what they signify for you?
I simply discovered that tulips symbolize deep love, which made me fall in love with them. Additionally they’re simply actually lovely and enjoyable to color. And I feel they add a lightness to the work.
Your topics are sometimes staring eye to eye with its viewer–I get the sense that they really feel interrupted?
With the folks, I simply need them to appear to be they’re giving themselves to the viewer, to be whoever they need them to be. On the identical time making an attempt to convey a vulnerability, honesty, and an earnestness by means of the topic’s gaze, type of disarming each the topic and the viewer.
What’s one factor that you simply discover lovely that different folks don’t? Have you ever made artwork about it?
I attempt to discover the wonder within the mundane and peculiar. In New York Metropolis, when you’re open, the town simply provides you little rewards. Random belongings you see simply strolling down the road like a broccoli formed tree, a melted lollipop on the sidewalk, a doll on a window sill, different little issues that individuals who aren’t wanting received’t even discover or keep in mind. However I’m consistently on the lookout for inspiration, and New York, and the world typically, is crammed with these little magical moments when you’re keen to hunt them out. This stuff at all times discover a solution to creep into my work.
Do you ever consider your artwork as a type of rose coloured glasses?
I’ve by no means actually considered them that approach, however I suppose I do attempt to discover the constructive aspect of most issues. I’m not making an attempt to sugar coat something as a result of I’m at all times on the lookout for and making an attempt to convey the reality. However they’re fairly rosy and hopeful now that I give it some thought. I’m simply making an attempt so as to add extra positivity, realness, and sweetness into the world by means of my work.
Curler Coaster is on view at WHAAM! Gallery in New York Metropolis by means of August third.