Tell me about yourself and your journey to becoming an artist. How did you migrate from graphic design to fine art?

Lots happened in a span of 10 years for this migration to exist; Relocation, my fathers death, redundancy and the arrival of 2 daughters. The Graphic design element has never really ever gone, there’s always a touch there. Old habits - just maybe a little softer in it’s approach.

How have you used your chosen medium to convey a narrative?

I stumbled upon it one day. I had a few years experimenting with several styles – very wet water colour and salt and abstracts to find a style, but nothing seems to fit with my personality. I don’t particularly like painting in oils as it takes too long to dry and hats off to those fab artists that do! (I have early memories of my grandfather painting in oils). But after finding my fathers carving tools (several lino mixed in), I found that after initially carving, the printmaking side was definitely something that fitted with my personality. It serves my impatience’s and the thirst for experimentation. The first pull and not knowing what's underneath it part of the thrill and is addictive.

You have previously talked about 'provoking the emotions' of the viewer. How does your artwork provoke a response? What do you believe makes an artwork relatable to an audience?

I think they find something within the piece itself that they can relate too. It's all about what the viewer sees, interprets and connects with. One artwork might have a completely different meaning/approach to the next, but it's all completely subjective.

What inspires you to create?

Finding that next thing. The search is always on for me... Whereby it technique, colour, materials - Neon, collage, spray paint or cement mixed with Linocut. Time is my motivator…or lack of it. It always seems I’m running out of time and I’m chasing it's tail. I've always felt that fear can be a good motivator. If I’ve promised something to someone (or myself) and I have to create. I think some of my best pieces have been made this way – chasing that deadline. But sometimes also, guilt can kick in - the lack of not paying creativity the attention it needs... guilt definately pushes me on.

How have your surroundings influenced your artwork?

Only to the point maybe of escapism and helping to fuel my imagination. I live in a very sleepy little village in the South West of England. When I create, I shut off from my environment, focus on the board in front and turn the music up… very loud! Makes me feel alive.

Describe your creative process for creating a linocut. How do you go from the initial composition to the final product?

I get influenced by social media. Usually a list of ideas which build into an artwork, then is sketched out onto lino. I’ll save all the carved work to ink in a batch at one time. Then I’ll leave all the newly inked prints for a week to start experimenting with them, stepping back, cutting them up, new colour ways... it’s very experimental and organic.

Who is your favourite artist? If they were sat next to you right now, what would you ask them? Do they have an influence on your work?

Probably Banksy and does he/they get frustrated with commercialism surrounding his/their work? I visited ‘The Art of Banksy’ in London recently and after visiting the downstairs array of keyrings, baseball caps, t shirts, sneakers etc.... - it was completely contradicting everything the artwork itself stood for. I came away wishing the artist had made a stand and revoked the merch. I have to admit, I was quite saddened and disheartened by the whole experience. It felt like he/they had sold out by allowing people to do this with the artwork.

What has been your greatest achievement/challenge as an artist?

Just being able to create and re-invent myself each time with each piece. To be able to show my daughters that if you have determination and focus, you can achieve great things with artforms. To be persistent with your methods - I think that's a good lesson in life generally.

Why do you think art is important in society?

It draws people together (or apart). It can be a talking point with heated debate. It can instil a reaction to make us feel alive. Art’s life, we see it and experience it everywhere, sometimes without even knowing it.

https://shelleydyergibbinsart.com/

ARTIST INTERVIEW: SHELLEY DYER-GIBBINS