Artist collab with Harry Wyld
An introduction to harry wyld who will, as he puts it, smack you loudly in the face and scuttle quietly into your brain.
It was the summer of 2018 when we first met London-based illustrator Harry Wyld. It was a time where we’d worry about not much else but surfing and skating, and he’d spent the night sharing a tiny tent with his brother Max. In between sessions, we’d laugh and hangout on the campsite surrounded by our mates, enjoying all the goods that little town in New Zealand was providing us with. Fast forward a couple of years and we meet again, this time virtually. As always, our favourite creative from the UK blew us away, and a design to pay homage to West African jazz icon Fela Kuti was born. Here we talk about the balance between nature and city, the state of art nowadays and the importance of having fun in what you do — cause if you’re not having fun, what’s the point?
Harry mate — how are you going? How has London been treating you over the last year?
Good, it’s a bit of love/hate. When I’m in London, I want to be in nature and when I’m in nature I want to be in London. Still trying to find that balance.
Are you still busy skating and organising the occasional surf trip once every blue moon?
It gets harder and harder to assemble a good crew for a session, but I’m still skating regularly anyway! Surf trips are rare, but I’ve just ordered a new board and winter suit for some autumnal surfs in Cornwall which I’m excited for.
If you gotta describe your drawings and illustrations in one sentence, how would that sound?
I want to smack people loudly in the face, then scuttle quietly into their brains.
What do you miss in design nowadays — and how do you try to awaken it again with your illustrations?
I miss the raw DIY style of punk posters, everything is so polished a lot of the time. I like the idea of using whatever tools are nearest and making the best of it.
Do you scroll the web for inspiration or are you more a ‘go out and do it’ kinda guy?
A balance of both, I used to make endless Pinterest boards which are great for references, but lately I’ve been drawing straight from my mind. Maybe I’m just lazy, but it feels more fit at the moment.
What was your first impression designing a ‘Fela Kuti’ tee for Bundu? What’s your approach to start something like that?
I knew his music vaguely, but I did a deep dive into his album artwork and his life to get a good feel for him. Then I just started scribbling away whilst listening to see what came up, eventually something usually clicks and I find the direction that feels right.
Anything you’d like to do more of in the upcoming year?
I’d like to make some big work, but there’s so much to learn about canvas types and the stretching process. It’s a bit overwhelming. That’s next on the list.
Any cultural experiences that changed the way you look at the world around you?
Going to see my favourite bands, surfing empty beaches, sleeping on floors, watching my friends do well, rescuing beetles from swimming pools.
What is a must-read for every artist out there?
Stanley Donwood’s short stories are a pretty good source of inspiration for me. They make me laugh, cry and cringe in equal measure.
What is the most important to you in what you do?
If I’m not having fun, what’s the point?
