Time Erases
The @rcade doesn’t pretend to know everything about the world of art, we don’t hobnob in fancy galleries but we can tell a Van Gogh from a Warhol. So when we happened across the quirky colourful art of Cutetastrophe, we knew that we really liked it. A New York based graphics designer, the artist takes time from a hectic schedule to talk art, pastries and video games! Let’s get our culture on!
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Sure. I am alive, I am eating Greek pastries and I have no idea how to ride a bike.
How long have you been interested in art?
I’ve been interested in art since forever. My folks worked a lot, so they left me at my grandfather’s art studio from time to time. But really, I probably just annoyed the hell out of him. I mean, imagine you’re this old school fella on deadline and this toddler is running around building catapults with your art supplies.
Could you describe your art?
I like hearing other people describe my art. Generally, I’m not very good at being self reflective. What I draw and paint are things I see in my head (awake/asleep/daydreaming) captured almost mechanically… I used to have a lot of nightmares when I was a kid and my hyper-active imagination didn’t help. I am inspired by other artists. Right now I’m looking at a lot of Magritte. I rely on intuition 90% of the time and creating art helps me make sense of things.
You use the name, ‘Cutetastrophe’, is that a pretty simple way to define your work?
I came up with it in school when I was trying to categorize a number of projects I was working on. I was really into DIY at the time and was often knitting or crocheting… However, I feel like the name is more appropriate for my paintings. A sort of colourful/precocious/morose combination.
Can people contact you to have a piece commissioned?
Sure, email me at Cutetastrophe@gmail.com
How long will you spend on a piece?
Ranges from a few hours to a year. Sometimes I’ll start a piece and not be into it anymore. I have a lot of projects I deem ‘cursed’. Ones I’m not happy with despite attempting numerous times. I often revisit them because I’m stubborn. I just got over the flu and used the time off to finish a lot of things I started a while back. Plus I was quarantined, nobody wanted my germs.
The Sleepers
Of all your work is there anything in particular that you’ve painted that you’ve felt was your best or something that was close to being your best?
I like components of things I do. I am very very picky about colour.
Video Games are now considered works of art, has there ever been a game that blew you away, based on the visuals alone?
I remember when I was first introduced to Resident Evil; every antagonist gave me the creeps…
What are your plans for the future? Have you ever considered going fulltime promoting and painting your own work?
I am a Graphic Designer for the larger half of my days so haven’t really thought about what I want to do with my paintings/illustrations. I’ve always loved books and records, so it’d be great if I had opportunity work on something like that.
Finally if you were trapped in an Arcade for eternity, what game would you play to pass the time?
There is this place called Barcade in Brooklyn. Here’s a picture of the front during the day.
All I remember was one minute I was trying their cask beers, next thing I know… I appeared in-front of Galaga with no desire to leave. Gotta honour the classics.
While we can’t start an in-depth comparison of Cutetastrophe to Warhol, we do know that there is something beautiful and wonderful about these pictures and we wish Cutetastrophe the best of luck for the future, and we hope that we see more of pieces in time. If you would like to check out more pieces by Cutetastrophe then you can follow the work on Facebook or via the Cutetastrophe blog. All of the artwork is the property of the artist, guys, so please make sure to get permission before you link them – stealing isn’t nice!
