Interview with artist Claudio Kirac
CK ‘Locals Only’
Claudio Kirac is so damn multi-talented. How do you even sum up all of this creativity or projects into one article? Even the energy of this man is hard to capture within a website.
This man is passionate about life and creativity. At many different times, and sometimes all together at once, he is an illustrator, painter, photographer, and graphic designer.
Claudio lives and works on the Gold Coast. He loves the beach, surf, and skate culture—and you can see this shine through in much of his creative work.
He was once the Creative Director at Billabong. With Billabong and many of its brands, Claudio’s traveled to beaches and cities around the world for shoots and to find new inspiration. His travel photographs are stunning—an interesting visual journey into the life of surfers (and beautiful girls) around the globe.
For now, after years of building brands for others, he’s taking the time to focus on his own artwork and brand. Earlier this year, Claudio held his first solo show, Dreamland – Memory of a Journey at Comb Space gallery on the Gold Coast.
Having a solo was really big deal for me, not for the reason to organise a show and hit a deadline, but for the purpose to create a body of work with a narrative instead of just working on commissioned pieces here and there and letting those pieces go all the time.
“I have no problem with letting pieces go, the show was nearly a sellout on opening night, It was just a challenge for me to put it together and have a finite picture in my mind of what I wanted to achieve.”
“The show consisted of photography prints in editions with a strong travel focus, miniature watercolours, a limited edition screen-printed pillow and newspaper style journal which had over 100 pieces from the show and beyond. I donated 100% of proceeds from the show to my friend Phil Ransley, who was struck down with a very rare illness a few years ago, and it filled my heart to do what I do for love and the show was a huge success.”
Currently, Claudio’s focus has been on 2 very unique art shows. Tonight is the launch of the eighth edition of I Used to Skate Once with four bands, unreal art on skate decks and a massive line up of over 40 established and emerging creatives. Local artists to see include Benjamin Reeve, Thom Stuart, Laura Strange and Loretta Lizzio.
“I have been involved in the ‘I Used to Skate Once’ series of shows since the start, and I have had a very close creative relationship with Matt and Thea of The Outpost and Blonde Venus, respectively, for many years.”
“It’s such a great thing for Brisbane, and Australia in general, bringing together so many artists, established and up and coming and putting them on the same stage as each other. It’s always a great night and VERY busy!”
Also coming up…
“The ‘Kiss Cut’ show is unique concept devised by Mr Kid9, involving a group of artists who have each created their own range of stickers, Big and Small, to be displayed in various situations at the show with some available for sale too. I worked on an actual object art piece in collaboration with Laura Strange entitled ‘BOOOOM!’ which is a mini 80’s ‘Boom Box’ with appropriately designed and placed stickers for a maximum Pop Art effect.”
To follow the latest from Claudio, check out his artist website, or agency Art-Work.
Installation view of Dreamland – Memory of a Journey exhibition – 2012
Installation view of ‘Dreamland – Memory of a Journey’ exhibition – 2012
How have you got to where you are today?
I always had a passion for creativity and told myself it was the only career path I ever wanted to undertake. And throughout my years, have progressed from pens and pencils, to painting, Illustrator, Photoshop, and film to digital.
Through a lot of hard work, passion, tears, sweat, broken bones, and world travels I am where I am today.
I have been a professional artist for over 15 years, going on 20 soon… and am so grateful for every day I get to spend doing what I love for a job.
Ups ‘n downs… a lotta smiles and no frowns!
In a few words, describe yourself…
Understanding, Loyal, Old in Soul but Young at Heart.
Sarah – Laguna Beach 2011
What are you spending your time on at the moment?
At the moment working I have been focusing on my creative agency, The Art-Work Agency, building a strong client base and working hard on a multitude of creative projects within.
I have also just finished my second-semester tutoring at Griffith University QCA on the Gold Coast, I love it so much and it’s a wonderful thing to share knowledge and also be inspired by the Future of Youth.
More travel and more adventure is always on the cards too, I recently returned from a journey into the islands of Indonesia, living on a boat for 13 days and photo shooting for an upcoming campaign for Billabong. Amazing and Humbling to say the least.
I am also loving painting again and have some exciting works in the wings as well as some more charity art pieces, which are always rewarding.
Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?
Coffee, swim, surf, kisses, books, internet, listening to music and then I close my eyes and envision creativity.
What or who inspires you?
Australian photographers, artists and designers, Laura, my creative friends… as well as history, nature, music, love and the universe.
What are you most proud of?
I can grow a beard in a week.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A cartoonist, a hairdresser or an opera singer… I guess I sort of came out alright.
