Hi all, another treat for you today. We managed to sit down with another great talent in London. Illustrator, Musician, Designer ; Joel Gonsalves. An insightful work with some stunning illustrative work.
Hi Joel, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. For those who have not come across you before, can you tell us a little about yourself, what it is you do and your work?
Hey. My name is Joel Gonsalves and I am a graphic artist based in London. I spend most of my precious time drawing, screen printing and making music.
What made you decide on / become interested in Design?
I’m not sure to be fair, It’s something that I have been interested in and wanted to do for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I think the first thing that drew me into art was my uncle and older cousin. They both draw really well. I use to stick their drawings up on my wall and aspire to be as good as them and the comic book heroes they had drawn. I would also try and re-create various Arsenal kits and football boots each time a new kit came out that impressed me – In retrospect I think this may probably suggest the earliest signs of being interested in design.
“Primarily I feel sound is my main inspiration in it’s many frequencies, styles and formats…”
Where would you say your inspiration comes from?
There are many things that inspire me from great speakers to great times with my family and friends but primarily I feel sound is my main inspiration in it’s many frequencies, styles and formats. I like epic vibrations, like the energy generated from a crowd when they react to their favourite song or powerful natural energy like thunderstorms and tsunamis. And last but not least the pretty girls that keep passing me by!
What is your favourite element of design that you are involved in? why?
At this point of time I would have to say hand drawn illustration to screen print. However this may change next week or so. You see a thousand design angles on the web every day, 10 out of that 1000 may blow my mind and i’m like “efff these drawings, photography is the sh*t son!” Still, there is something about the of process of screen printing that you can’t totally control. This for me makes every piece special and this adds to it’s mystique.
You are a musician as well, does this have a huge affect on your work?
Yes, I would definitely say so. What I enjoy most about music is that it is a listening experience but it has a tendency to bring so many pictures to the surface of the mind – shapes, colours, memories and abstract affiliations. I enjoy giving my music as well as other’s a visual identity, character or extended feeling (if possible).
Windmill, is a piece you recently exhibited, could you tell us about it? Why you accompanied it with music? and maybe how you created it…
Joel Gonsalves – Windmill from Acuity Designs on Vimeo.
The name of the work exhibited is actually called Rolling Thunder. It is a screen printed, hand drawn illustration based on the music of a EP I am currently working on titled Windmill. So in short Rolling Thunder is the artwork for a mini album. The artwork is inspired predominantly by Native Indians and their intimate relationship with their environment, which in fact is slightly contradictory in regards to the music; as the sounds used are quite synthetic and unnatural. However, they do at times match the feeling of an altered state, which may have been achieved by a sneaky toke on the big chief’s secret stash.
“Currently, I am a ghost like Bruce Willis. The only person that can see me is that kid from the Sixth Sense. “
Having just graduated, are you happy you did your degree? Do you feel you have any advantages over those who are self-taught?
I am happy I graduated at the same time time I don’t think the educational system is 100% bullet proof. I honestly believe it depends on the individual, their drive and what they are capable of. On graduating, I think for many education can be compared to an insurance policy but it Is also a chance to meet like minded outside the of the pressures of a demanding reality. This can be an advantage. From my personal experience, I gained most of my skills and edge during my gap year doing internships, working junior positions or just doing me.
Once again , thank you very much for the interview. Where can those interested in you and your work, find you online?
Currently, I am a ghost like Bruce Willis. The only person that can see me is that kid from the Sixth Sense. In all seriousness, my web stuff is under construction at the moment but I am working on it with vigour and dedication
Related Posts: