Art Talk – Andrew J Heffron of ‘Lab Monkey Number 9’

Andrew J Heffron is a Canadian artist, designer, prop maker, special effects wizard and toy creator who first came to ‘Art Whore’s attention thanks to his ‘Lab Monkey Number 9’ persona.

As ‘LMN9’ Andrew creates beautifully crafted resin toys. Under his own name however, is were Andrew’s other talents appear – working with world renowned toy company ‘Spin Master’, designing props for international TV shows, and releasing highly decorative sculptural works.

Indeed, as Andrew states, he has art in his very bones!

I’ve been a creative creature since I was very little. I need to create or I break! I get all squirrelly and grumpy if I don’t  lol

It’s just in my heart and soul to make.

I can’t stop.

(A photo below of Andrew workinging on a large sculpture)

So, as Andrew exists as a constantly bubbling cauldron of artistic endevour – now is the perfect time to get to know the man, and his many varied creations, by reading the Art Talk Interview below…

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Natalie Michelle Watson of ‘Drongo Press’

Natalie Michelle Watson is an Australian artist, designer and cartoonist who first came to our attention thanks to her lovingly self made magazine ‘Drongo’ – released under her ‘Drongo Press’ label.

Natalie, ‘Drongo’ and her art are unashamed with their sense of pride and nostalgia in Australian culture of the past – sentiments that we at ‘Art Whore’ wholeheartedly support!

With Natalie herself stating:

Well I guess I started ‘Drongoʼ because I missed the old kiddy mags I used to read in the 90s.

I guess itʼs a nostalgic adultʼs response to Americanisation and the death of Australian culture. I remember, I had a little “Dinky Diary” in primary school, with kangaroos and koalas on it. I collected Oddbodz, and ‘Max Altitudeʼ memorabilia from Qantas. I loved ‘The Feralsʼ… I watched everything I loved about Australia slowly heave and die in the wake of globalisation.

‘Drongoʼ is the most Australian word I could think of, and is my way of attempting to claw back to that time, if only for a moment.

(Photo below of Natalie reading an issue of ‘Drongo’)

With Natalie working on both issue number 4 of ‘Drongo’ and her new creation ‘Show Dogs’ we thought now was the perfect time to get to know just how rad both Natalie and her art are, by reading the Art Talk Interview below…

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Art Talk – Elliot of ‘Loser Unit’

Elliot is an Australian artist, designer, director, animator, curator, vandal and head of the world famous ‘Loser Unit’ crew.

We at Art Whore feel that not only is Elliot himself making some of the most important art in Australia right now, his work as a scene builder with his ‘Loser Unit’ crew elevates him to pure Art-Mensch status. The man can do it all himself, and pushes others to do the same.

In summery – Elliot is a veritable Sad Boy Andy Warhol for these internet-everywhere-and-everything times.

Beginning as a zine in Perth, Western Australia – ‘Loser Unit’ quickly became an artistic force. A multi member crew producing art shows, murals, videos and more. All done under the watchful eye of Elliot himself. As Elliot has grown, so too has ‘Loser Unit’ and the artists within it.

Symbiotic style.

(Photo below of a ‘Loser Unit’ crew tattoo)

And what about Elliot himself? Well having recently moved from his hometown of Perth, to the larger city of Melbourne (in Victoria) we thought it now would be a good time to pick his brain about it all… art, life, graffiti, computer games, memes and much more.

So without further ado, get to know Elliot and ‘Loser Unit’ by reading his Art Talk interview below…

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Art Talk – Moss Kief

Moss Kief is an Australian artist bringing equal parts humour and rage to the masses with his graff, music and illustrations. Far from being commercial, or part of any real art scene, Moss creates the art he wants to create, for himself and his friends.

Or as the man himself states:

I wouldn’t describe myself as an artist, I’m just a cunt who listens to too much Cannibal Corpse and can draw at a competent level.

And the result? Works that are unique, brutal and beautiful. Touching upon some of the greats of art history such as Goya and Raymond Pettibon.

So without further ado, get to know ole Moss – both the art and the man, by reading his interview below…

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Culture Talk – Wilfred Brandt

Wilfred Brandt is an American born, Australian based writer, academic, artist, musician and all round good guy.

And why are we speaking with Wilfred today? Well we at ‘Art Whore’ feel it is important to showcase the thoughts, musings and general opinions of people involved in the art scene, who are not known for their art; indeed they may not even make art at all. People such as curators, brand owners, journalists, DJs, academics etc.

Why? Well if capital “A” Artists are the front line soldiers of the culture wars, people such as Wilfred are the sergeants. The generals. The 2nd line warriors directing, forming groups, making plans and taking the culture from the front lines, right into people’s psyche back on the home front.

Wilfred is most definitely such a figure.

Indeed, Wilfred is a veritable culture dandy: He has studied fine art, been involved in the zine world, played in bands, and is a well regarded journalist – writing for ‘Vice’ magazine in the early to mid 2000s, and since then for a slew of other well known publications such as ‘Yen’, ‘The Age’, ‘ANP Quarterly’, ‘EMPTY’, ‘PaperPlane’, ‘Dazed’,’Head Full of Snakes’, ‘Summer/Winter’, ‘They Shoot Homos Don’t They?’ and ‘DNA.’

(Photo below of Wilfred as a kid)

So, in an effort to learn, pass on some knowledge and generate discussion we sat down with Mr. Brandt and mined his knowledgeable brain for his thoughts on art, skateboarding, music, punk, life in Australia and a whole lot more.

Read it all, below…

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Art Talk – Isabel Brown aka Crack Cartoons

Crack Cartoons is a young American artist who hit us up asking us to look at her work, and consider her for a “feature”… Well… We here at ‘Art Whore’ respect the hustle and also dug ole Crack’s work, so we asked her to take part in the ole Art Talk series of interviews so both ourselves, and our dear readers, could find out more about her.

(Art by Crack Cartoons below)

Read it all, below…

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Art Talk – Bob Conge of ‘Plaseebo’

Bob Conge is an American multidiscplinary artist who first came to our attention thanks to his art toy works released under the ‘Plaseebo’ brand. Born in 1939 Mr. Conge has seen many trends come and go over the years, but he has forever remained his own man, pursuing a lifelong dedication to the arts – in all it’s forms.

Indeed, whilst many know Bob primarily through his art toy works; that aspect of his work spans only 10 years of over 60 spent as a professional artist. During that time Mr Conge has taught, run an art gallery, worked as a freelance designer, gained respect and adoration for his paintings, fell in love with vintage toys and much much more – the very definition of a fully lived lifetime in the arts.

(Photo below of a Nightgamer sofubi by Bob / ‘Plaseebo’)

With Mr Conge and ‘Plaseebo’ continuing to push artistic boundaries now is the perfect time to read one of the most revealing and insightful interviews we have had the opportunity to do, below…

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Art Talk – Cal of ‘Cal’s Customs’, ‘Zumps’ + ‘Calstars’

Cal of ‘Cal’s Customs’ + ‘Zumps’ fame is an Australian toy designer making major waves in the global pop art sphere thanks to his sculpting skills and the amazing world he has created with his ‘Zumps’ creatures.

Fans, foes and friends can find Cal most days in his lair – the ‘Calstars‘ shop in Newtown, New South Wales, Australia. Here he can be found working on his plans for world domination via designer toys, art and pop culture!

(Photo below of Cal in his lair)

With Cal constantly evolving as an artist – word on the street his newest figures have magnetic articulation – and making major waves as mentioned with his ‘World of Zumps’, now is the perfect time to get to know the man and his creations, by reading the Art Talk interview below…

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Art Talk – Martin Harris

Martin Harris is an Australian based artist living in Melbourne creating technically brilliant works that hark back to childhood memories: toys, monsters, children’s television and the classic ‘Little Golden Books’ series.

In Martin’s work we are taken into a magical place full of large eyed animals, anthropomorphic everyday objects, and constant movement. The viewer is pulled immediately into Martin’s world of animals at play: driving cars, casting spells, conducting science experiments and sometimes simply gathering for a chat.

(Art by Martin below)

With Martin’s work already having a cult following, and his reputation in the global art scene growing faster than a speeding bullet – now is the perfect time to get to know the man and his art, by reading the ‘Art Talk’ interview below…

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