Artist Chat: A Conversation with Himbad
Himbad is a British graffiti artist and illustrator. His graffiti is widely distributed around the world and can be found in Ibiza, New York, Berlin, and Beijing. Infused with fantasy through bright and vibrant colors, he explores topics from the depths of the human mind and subconscious. Himbad’s works are inspired by his research into Celtic mythology, Egyptian folklore, and Eastern legend, with his unique sense of absurdity.
Q: How would you describe yourself as an artist and how do you typically describe your work?
A: I’d say I’m an adventurer / explorer artist. Harnessing the power of the moment and imagination. Others say I’m “apex” because of the techniques I do and do not use. For example, most well-respected graffiti artists use projectors and trace their imagery or use a grid system or reference photo. I, however, work directly from the fountain of inspiration, I harness its waters and work them into a tsunami and strike my canvas with it.
Q: When did you start doing street art and graffiti, and why?
A: In around 2160 BC (before cat). After I invented fire, I started using charcoal from the burnt sticks and mixed it with whatever was around at the time to create crude pigments. There was no paper around then, so walls and big rocks were the go-to. When my mate invented paper he was really proud of it and proclaimed how revolutionary it was. I agreed that paper is good, but there’s something sad about limiting yourself to a rectangular sheet. I loved the physical act of working large! By 1811 AD (after dog), I was using paint rollers tied to long poles to take on bigger and bigger structures. Why? Well, after food and shelter were sorted, the next thing needed to build civilization and humanity was the creation of art.
Q: What are your working methods?
A: My preferred working method is “straight from the ether.” Drawing inspiration from the moment.
Q: What first drew you to making work about, on, and for the internet?
A: Well, it’s the fastest way to connect with people without borders. I made so many friends around the world because of the ease of communication that the internet brings. Over the last several centuries I was limited to using a messenger bird or something of the sort to send a quick message, and even then your bird might get eaten or something, and even if you did get the message it would take 3 or 4 days before it arrived. So slow! Also, a lot of my work is temporary. Paintings I put my soul into for weeks can be wiped out in ten minutes but people who take pictures can easily and permanently share them on social media . All of a sudden that painting on a wall has a new life in a new space and with a new audience. I think it’s great the way we can all share and learn from each other now.
Q: Why did you get involved in the NFT space? How long have you been doing NFT artwork?
A: As my work gets copied and reproduced a lot, I was drawn to blockchain technology for its ability to protect and prove intellectual property. As I looked more into it, I saw the potential for some new and really exciting things. I like that NFTs can be so much more than a simple image or gif. I think the evolution will be “game-changing” — pun intended.
Q: What’s next from an NFT art perspective? What is one piece of advice you would give to other aspiring NFT artists?
A: I think the NFT art space will inflate a lot and affect the traditional markets. They may compete with each other but I can see them becoming intertwined in the future. I would advise an aspiring NFT artist the same way I would advise any artist: do not worry about what other people do. Do what you want and enjoy it . Oh, and take breaks from looking at screens sometimes.
Q: Do you have any non-art related aspirations in life?
A: Maybe. Well, no. It’s all connected actually. I want to spend more time searching the jungles for ancient tea trees and undiscovered fragrant orchids so that I can make my own “gushu sheng puerh cha,” tea sets, and tea pets and enjoy it all. And eventually I’d like to make my own water sculptures with fountains to grow my orchids and experience the pleasant sound of trickling water as I savor the tea from the trees I found in the wild. My life influences my art and my art influences my life. I aspired to travel, so I started painting around the world as a method for travel. Art is my horse! Or boat. Or car. Or plane or whatever. It gets me going! It’s hard for me to have aspirations that are non-art because I believe in the art of living.
