In conversation with
Olly Fathers

Olly Fathers is an artist based in Brixton, London. His work explores the visual language between simple forms and materials, working shapes into playful harmonies with one another to create this tranquil balance.

Playing with shapes and superpositions to compose dynamic artworks, he creates well-finished, often playful pieces that encourage the viewer to take a closer look to understand the balance and precision involved.

With a strict eye for detail, Olly Father take great satisfaction in the making process, and this often becomes influential in the outcome of his work.

Artiq When was the moment you realised you were going to be an artist?

Olly From quite an early age, I knew it was what I wanted to do. Perhaps a slight naivety helped me have the confidence to believe that it was always going to work out, and although at times it's been a struggle, I've never really thought any other career path was an option.

Artiq Who or what has had the most significant influence on your practice?

Olly It would be hard to pin down one particular thing or person. There have been different people and situations along my journey as an artist that have had a big influence on me.

When I was at Wimbledon College of Arts, I started helping an artist called Danny Rolph in his studio a few times a month. This was extremely beneficial as I got to see first-hand what it was like being an artist and I got to go to a lot of shows he was involved in a meet more people from within the art world. All this helped make it slightly less intimidating and gave me confidence. Despite now being full-time in my studio, I had to work alongside my studio for over a decade to help fund my art practice.

I mainly worked as an art technician for various art galleries, art fairs and auction houses but also in construction and doing carpentry jobs. All these helped me learn technical skills and understand the art world that I otherwise would not have learned and have undoubtedly helped my practice.

Artiq What do you do to get over a creative block?

Olly If I'm honest, it's not something I suffer from very often these days. If anything, its more that I don't have enough time to explore ideas that I'm excited to work on. I did use to suffer from that though and I always found it best to try and not think too much about what I was doing and start playing with materials or objects.

Often I'd end up doing something unexpected that would lead to a new body of work. I think its really important to not put too much pressure on yourself to justify why you're doing everything each step of the way in a critically conceptual way. Just have fun making things and afterwards, it will become clearer.

Artiq What do you want the audience to take away from your work?

Olly Hopefully a sense of playful calm and balance, but also intrigue. I take a lot of inspiration from design and architecture as well as art, so it's pleasing when people can see that in the works. I enjoy seeing people feel the need to walk around my works to view from different angles and distances. I like to use materials and finishes that are very tactile and cause the desire to touch the works and question the making process too.

Artiq Can you recommend an emerging artist you think everyone should know about?

Olly James Rogers. He is making really exciting works that embrace modern technology while referencing Artists such as Poalozzi and Epstein. He makes figurative works that depict thoughts and memories of his upbringing in a working-class industrial city that has influenced his outlook on life.

He has developed a whole new way of making sculptures and prints by using a 3D printing machine he designed and built himself, but rather than just being plastic models, he's making bronze sculptures and aqua-tinted etchings from copper plates. I have a big appreciation for people who show real commitment and skill in the making process and he certainly has.

To learn more about Olly Fathers practice, visit his Website or Instagram.