Join us in welcoming the talented and varied array of creatives that became part of the !GWAK family in May.
SARA QUATTROCCHI FEBLES
Photography by Sara Quattrocchi Febles
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I’m Sara and I’m half Spanish and half Italian.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I can’t say I do one specific thing as I like to combine or alternate between different mediums depending on what I’m feeling creatively. I’m mainly into writing, art and photography, but if I had to choose one, it would definitely be photography.
WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVITY?
Being in the ‘in-between’ of things is definitely what drives me creatively. Because I’ve lived in different places in Asia and Europe while growing up, I can’t say I identify or feel emotionally connected to any specific place, which is why I mostly enjoy observing and capturing the things that some people might think are ordinary of these different places.
Instagram: @filmbysaraqf
RYAN COURTIER
Left: 'Freedom in Nature'; Centre: photograph of Ryan; Right: 'Beautiful Bloom'
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Ryan Courtier and I’m from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk - although I make art
between Bury St Edmunds and Brighton.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I make botanical and conceptual collage and abstract painting!
WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVITY?
Nature and spending time in nature, I just find it so awe inspiring that it makes me
want to go back and create my own little version out of collage!
www.ryancourtierartist.com
Instagram: @ryancourtier_artist
YAZZ JAMES
Left: Yazz; Right: Photography by Yazz
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I'm Yazz, I'm from Hertfordshire, and based in Brighton.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I write, take photos and do a little artwork every now and then.
WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVITY?
Walks w my headphones, films and food packaging.
Instagram: @yazzjames
ISHIE APA (kungsaan)
Collages by Ishie Apa (kungsaan)
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I am Ishie Apa, known as kungsaan, which means “wherever” in Tagalog. When I created kungsaan, it was only for photo dump, where I post all my photos that were taken anywhere. But when the quarantine started, I decided to make collage art again. I am from the Philippines.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I do collage art and film photography.
WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVITY?
Everything, everywhere. Anything that my eyes see, wherever and whenever; I take inspiration from. Hence the name “Kung Saan”. My works are inspired by visuals that I find humorous and intriguing.
Instagram: @kungsaan_
YONAS CAMPBELL
Photograph of Yonas writing music
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
My name is Yonas, which is a name you don’t often hear in England; and that’s because my heritage is only sparsely English. My Mum hails from Norway, my Dad from Jamaica (although he’s half-English himself). However, having lived in England for all of my twenty-or-so years, my identity is very much English. A diehard fan of The Beatles, Oasis and tea and biscuits must surely be strong evidence of my patriotism.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
When refraining from doing university work (which, admittedly, is far too often), my creative outlets include writing songs, poems and I’ve been working on a novel lately; I’ve also had periods where I’ve been into photography and filming various things on my camcorder. I have recently started video editing and posting to a YouTube channel, which has been very interesting. I read a lot too, and listen to lots of music. I have also done a bit of acting, and love films.
WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVITY?
I find consuming art to be tremendously stimulating, particularly with crafting songs. You have to know what good art is, to you, before you go about creating your own. If it’s not poetry, then I will often be found nose-deep in a History book, or a memoir or the work of another creative person. Digesting the work of those who see the world in the same way I do helps me to see the value of creating art of my own. For me, art is a possible opiate for treating the pain that life can sometimes bring my way. It’s worked for me, and the goal is to produce work that people like and connect to, and want to consume again and again. And when it happens, it’s magic, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
Instagram: @yonascampbell + @arcadian_night
Pinterest: yonascampbell
AMY LEIGH-BIRD
Left & Right: Work by Amy; Centre: Photograph of Amy
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
My name is Amy-Leigh Bird and I am a multidisciplinary artist living and working in London.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am an artist and a collector. I collect found material and use it to make sculptures, prints and curiosity cabinets. My main practice is printmaking. I create delicate photopolymer etching prints of found objects, specifically bones I have collected on the Thames foreshore.
WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVITY?
For me, to create art is to breathe the air I need to survive. I experience the world around me by picking up and looking at the small details in things. I then take those details and show the world how beautiful they are.
Instagram: @amyleighbird
www.amyleighbird.com
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