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Drawing inspiration from childhood, his work is full of references to popular culture from the 1980s and 90s. Mick describes himself as having “the creative hyperactivity of an 80s kid watching the Ghostbusters whilst drinking fizzy pop”. He now lives and works in Dublin.
Thanks for your time Mick, lets start with the standard artist question. Who or what inspires you?
I always find inspiration to be like that fiver your aunty slips into your pocket, whilst hand battling you not to return it or look at the amount she just gave. You are grateful and promise to put it to good use.
Two weeks later, one broke evening as your fidgeting for your keys this crumpled high 5 of paper money falls out and inspirational doors are open instantly. Lets eat!
I guess in my daily life of make and do you find inspiration in everything. The inventiveness of others, the line in that song that fit the feeling you had when driving home alone or just that supportive hand on the shoulder your Da gives you.
Inspirations are always slipped in you just have to remember to forget them until you need them and then use them with as much imagination as one can muster.
What has been your defining moment or piece of work to date and why?
I think one of the most defining moments of my art career came in the very early years. I had won a Coca Cola art competition when I was in 3rd class In St Canice’s Primary School In Kilkenny.
I remember being so nervous about the award ceremony. I was to be presented with a Coca Cola ‘Art Pack’ from Zig and Zags’ adopted dad and my evening ‘television child minder’ Mr. Ray Darcy.
In front of an applauding crowd I walked up shook the hand of a 90s God and was handed a tiny plastic box that had 6 Coca Cola crayons inside. This 'Art Pack' fit in the palm of my hand. It was at this very moment that I realized three things:
- Always work for the love of the game and not the trophy to be won.
- I would never meet my childhood alien hero’s from planet Zog.
- Pepsi. Always Pepsi.
How has your work developed over the years? What shaped its progression?
My work is just an extension of all my tastes and interests. So as much as all these change throughout my life so does my work. The problem here is that my tastes have not always been good.
Throughout my moody teens I drew nothing but girls and music inspirations. I might as well have been an undertaker I was just that deep. Some people don’t think that the work you make as a teenager or even a child affects your later more pronounced work.
These are the years you learn manners and become the young you and those interests you develop they will hang around for years and show in your work, then and now. The music you listen to, the relationships you begin and end, the books you read and the movies you like. When artists look back they usually do with an observational brush stroke, I know I for one never get nostalgic without bringing a souvenir back with me.
Right now my work is in dog years compared to my human years. It’s hard to tell as it is either at the age of a very old dog or a 1980s teenager. A bit scruffy, doesn't really know where it is at any given time and stares back at you longingly looking for your love.
In the last year and a half I was welcomed into an artistic community in LA and New York. This was a major progression in the direction of my work, it gave me a place where I wasn’t questioning what I was doing or what type of work I needed to be producing. It became that dog shelter for us arty pups so that we could be fostered and re-homed to new fans.
Has the economic/social climate of recent years affected your work?
The economic climate has affected the artistic social climate. No one makes the money they used so you see galleries and studios closing their doors for good and that’s never good for morale. The exhibitions stop and the motivation dwindles. The world of corporate illustration seems to be running well but I think every artist I know now just works to work, so they pay the rent and feed the bellies.
I think it has never been more important for people and businesses, to now more than ever, trust in the artist. Artists have never been hungrier to create and evolve new ideas they just need the support. Seeing the amount of derelict buildings, shops and walls is shameful. There is no need for it when you have cities and towns filled with creative minds, you just have to let them in.
I just recently completed a large mural in a derelict lot In Kilkenny city center. A space that has been ignored for years and all it took was the shop owners of the street and the volunteers of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful to come together have a meeting and try something new and different. So far it has proved a huge success.
As a nation we complain all day long about the failings of others but never try hard enough to make change. The skies are grey enough overhead so why not let those who want to add colour and life to the spaces around us do so?
If you are a landlord or a shop owner ashamed of the abandoned space beside you lend an artist your ear and they will lend you their skill and help out. You can’t be obsessed with money that’s not there so you might as well be obsessed with creativity and making the best of what we have.
What will your legacy be?
I haven’t the foggiest. Legacies are for those who have lived long and made the right choices to have them remembered by many. My work can look after itself and go whatever direction it needs to once Its able to take care of those closest to me and give them more than I have right now, if that happens I’ll be doing alright.
So what’s next?
I have some new gallery shows coming up In LA in the coming months, ‘A Tribute to Edgar Wright’ – August 22, 2013 (GALLERY1988 WEST). Edgar Wright will be opening and hosting the show In the Melrose Gallery that I hope to get over for. I’m also starting work on a new piece with my friend Elin Adler, so it’s going be a biggie and a very important piece.
See more of Mick’s work, and keep up with him at www.mickminogue.com, or on his Facebook Page www.facebook.com/MickMinogueMadeThis.
This article originally appeared in Newstalk Magazine for iPad in May, for more details go here.
