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Last Sunday was the official opening for this months art exhibit. Both artists did installations to compliment the art pieces, and the gallery looks amazing. Come by and check it out, the art will be up until mid March.

IamRurik

Brian Watson

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JC: Lets get started, why don’t you introduce yourself, give us the goods, tell us who you are:
IAR: Hiiii! I am Iamrurik….I am an ARTIST…and a disciple of Christ.

JC: Whats a normal day look like for you? How much time do you spend doing art?
IAR: A normal day for me looks like I’m doing laps in a sewer trench. I usually spend all day painting while I listen audio books and lectures, then I take a break and practice abstract bboying(dancing).

JC: Yeah, someone told me a little while ago you were into break dancing. Do you feel like street culture has influenced your art? When it comes to doing art what really inspires you?
IAR: What inspires me is the real purpose of street culture, which IS a culture based on spreading truths; and taking the poopy on the lies.

JC: How would you describe your art? With your upcoming show with Brian Watson, is there a theme to your half of the show?
IAR: My show with Watson is hype ’cause we are both rocking wood….which was total fuckin’ good luck….and not planning, which is basically how I live. 
My theme for this show is a look at our civilization as we have moved through the iron age, and how we have become the dumbest, disconnected, and de-evolved soup.

JC: Is there something that you try and convey with your art?
IAR: Ya, always. Art without expression is advertisement. The more sacred your world view, the more sacred your art and culture. Big ups!!

JC: What are your thoughts on the Canadian art scene? What about in Ottawa?
IAR: I like Indian art and ancient Canadian art. It is sacred, and so fucking awesome, we don’t even get it yet in our culture. It’s too beyond us…
Ottawa art scene is like a baby snail running a tread mill, but that’s why we birthed some of the best artists ever…seriously!!

JC: Thanks for your time, cant wait for the upcoming exhibit!
IAR: Thanxxxx  mang!!

IamRurik x Brian Watson art exhibit will be up this Friday, come check out the friends and family opening on Sunday February 15th from 6-8.

I got a chance to catch up with Brian Watson, who makes up one half of our next art exhibit. He sent some pictures along with the interview to show the process that went into the pieces that will be exhibited. Check it out!

JC: Brian, How are you on this frigid Canadian winter day?

BW: I’m doing pretty good…just trying to keep the blood flowing.

JC: Alright, so you’ve been working for a little while planning out your upcoming art show, between work and regular life, what kind of time are you putting into this upcoming show?

BW: Not as much as I wish I could. If anyone out there is tight with God, or some ’suit’ in the government with some pull, could you see if we could add an extra day to the week? An eighth day would really make my life a bit easier to manage, ha!

JC: I’ve seen the previews of the pieces you are currently working on for your half of Februarys art show with IamRurik, and it’s looking a lot different to your previous art. What is going on with that?

BW: Yeah, I kind of threw out my rulebook on this one. I think the answer is two-fold. First, I was starting to feel as though my routine was too meticulous, and strategic. It didn’t allow the art to grow and have a life of its own. So, the whole process became really predictable. Second, I like taking myself out of my comfort zone to see how I react. This time was extra tough since I only had about a month, once all my exams and Christmas vacation  was over.

JC: What inspired this? Was there specific artists you feel that your art is influenced by, or maybe just a certain style, or is there even an influence present at all?

BW: Wow, I wouldn’t even know where to start! I am a bit on an art Junkie. I spend countless hours screwing around on my damn laptop looking at art. On top of that I’ve got a pretty decent book collection going. I’m sort of a melting pot of all the artists that influence me.

JC: Alright, so these pieces seem to have a theme, can you explain the theme and the ideas that formed the pieces that will be exhibited? Have you found that doing an art show that carries a theme is limiting, or were all the ideas there previous to starting?

BW: All of these pieces are of homeless people. I’ve found as I get older, I am constantly becoming more conscious of what’s going on around me.  When it gets cold out like it has been, it really bothers me to know people don’t have shelter, food etc.  Not only that, but people treat them as though they’re part of the scenery. Society sees it as, if you live in the street, you lose your humanity. It becomes easier to avoid them, or hate on them than to help out. I think for some themed exhibits, having parameters can make it difficult, but I believe that it just kind of forces you to really plan it out. I am sort of obsessed with flow, the pieces have to work all together and on their own to make the cut.

JC: Growing up, and living in Ottawa, how have you found the art scene in Ottawa? Is it limiting to what you want to do?

BW: I guess the only limits I experienced were growing up in the suburbs. Nobody I hung out with was into art. All the dudes were either out getting high, or tuning their Hondas. I was always sort of a wanderer between groups of friends. It wasn’t till my 20s when I started to spend more time downtown that I started to experience the culture that Ottawa has to offer. I don’t think of Ottawa as limiting, because when it comes down to it, there aren’t a ton of guys trying to do the art thing. Therefore it’s easier to be noticed and people are really down to support. I just wish it was a place that you could actually make a living off of art, and that just isn’t the case. For me, and for what I want to do, it’ll work.

JC: What future plans do you have for your art?

BW: Wow! Tough question. I don’t know the real answer to that question, I’m just keep trying new things. I’m sort of a perfectionist so I am never totally happy with the stuff I do. It’s like, when I first accomplish something I’m on a high for a short while. But sooner than later I’m over it and already looking for another approach.

JC: OK, Last question: Canadian Art Scene, who should people be watching out for? Are there any other Ottawa artists that people should be watching ?

BW: Some guys that I look up to are Ben Tour, TJ Schneider, Tim Barnard… And Ottawa has so many talented artists, it’s insane. Berzerker, Julian, Pat Thompson, Stephan Thompson, I could go on forever.
Thanks to Norml for letting me make a mess, and I am looking forward to getting some feedback from the show!

Brian Watson x IamRurik art exhibit will be open Monday February 9th, and run until March 13th.

We are proud to collaborate with our 416/905 family to bring you The Bailout sample sale happening this Saturday & Sunday (Feb 7&8) at 222 Richmond St W. between Duncan and Simcoe. Save up to 80% on your favorite brands; Crooks and Castles, Rocksmith, Levis, Dissizit, Acapulco Gold, Mishka, Hellz Bellz, Alife, 10Deep and tons more. Music will be provided by Charlie Brown of Legacy. Don’t sleep in, first 50 people inside will get an additional 20% off, doors open at 9am!

We caught up with Sean Miller from the Clae camp at Stocklist 09, and he gave us a quick taste of whats coming this spring.Thanks Sean!