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Welcome Our Newest Artist-In-Residence | Matthew Dunn

They applied. They were awesome. They became Redbubble Artists-in-Residence.

Matthew Dunn hails from Fairy Meadow and has been a resident of Melbourne for the past 20 years.

Having been a huge fan of comics and that particular art style since a child, he went on to receive a Certificate In Fine Arts at the tender age of 16. Gaining a new perspective and exposure from the people he met, art, and music – his style began to merge and become what it is today.

Read on to find out about the latest Artist in Residence – Matthew Dunn.

“Comics and illustration have always been the driving influence on my work. As a kid I’d spend hours reading comics and books filled with illustrations, drawing my own versions of the panels and pages.”

Art in all its different forms occupies a lot of space in my brain and heart. I’ve always been fascinated by history, especially moments in time that held a certain type of eccentricity or wonder that we no longer see in the same way. Circus Sideshows are probably the best example of this. Within that history is a rich and fascinating world full of wonderful characters whose lives have much more depth to them beyond the painted banners and sensational stories. So I guess on the surface I have an interest in the strange and eccentric, but it’s what lies underneath the surface that really interests me and keeps me looking deeper into their stories.

Describe your work in 7 words or less.
The journey into and out of darkness.

Tell us about the project you will be working on while in the RB residency program?
Salvation Is Free is a comic and music project that follows the adventures of Leroy (a character who has been appearing in my work for over 10 years) and Bonnie (a young girl who collects animal masks). The story is influenced by my love of music (see more below) and all the classic comics and children’s book adventure stories I read growing up. It takes place in a large, bombastic world where the walls of time and reality have fallen, making everything that has ever happened, every idea and belief, a part of the real world. Within this over the top setting is a small story about friendship, love and loss…. as well some ghosts and cannibals thrown in for good measure.

Oh, and a giant octopus!

Blues Ink Collage

Leroy And Bonnie And The Giants Giant Skull || WIP from Residency Project

What role does music play in your creative process?
I’m constantly hunting down albums collecting pre-war blues and gospel recordings, something that’s had a big influence on the work I’m currently doing. I’ve always found inspiration in seeing where other people find their inspiration and what they create as a result, especially when it’s via a love or compulsion to simply create something.
I listen to different things depending on what stage of the process I’m currently working on. When writing I’ll often listen to music that matches the mood and tone of what I’m trying to capture in the story (which often has me listening to musicians with a strong storytelling aspect to their art, like Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Nina Simone, Johnny Cash, Cat Power, and more).

When I’m penciling a page I’ll shift over to instrumental music as it helps me focus more, that’s generally a stack of vinyl including Dirty Three, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, Rachel’s and Russian Circles.

Once I hit the inking stage I alternate between audiobooks and whatever else I’m in the mood to listen to at the time.

With Salvation Is Free having a heavy gospel blues influence I’ve also spent a lot of time listening to the music of Washington Phillips and other early 1900’s blues and gospel musicians. I’ve got a collection of some of my favourite musicians recording songs for Salvation Is Free as well and have been listening to their music a lot throughout the comics creation. They include Glenn Richards of Augie March, Pall Jenkins of The Black Heart Procession, William and Julieanne Crighton, Allara Briggs Pattison, and more that I hope to be able to announce soon.

In fact, one of my career highlights was working with the band Augie March on the cover and tour art for their album “Bootikins“.

Sara

Art in all its different forms occupies a lot of space in my brain and heart.  I’ve always been fascinated by history, especially moments in time that held a certain type of eccentricity or wonder that we no longer see in the same way.  Circus Sideshows are probably the best example of this. Within that history is a rich and fascinating world full of wonderful characters whose lives have much more depth to them beyond the painted banners and sensational stories. So I guess on the surface I have an interest in the strange and eccentric, but it’s what lies underneath the surface that really interests me and keeps me looking deeper into their stories.

The Australian theatre performer Sarah Houbolt produced a one person show titled Koo Koo The Bird Girl which reflected on all of this perfectly. If she ever performs the show again I’d recommend you see it.

“Create art that means something to you, or is at least focusing on something you’re passionate about. Don’t get caught up in comparisons or competition, just do your own thing and try to enjoy yourself along the way.”

War Doctor || WIP from Residency Project

Giants || WIP from the Residency Project

5 Top Favourite Comics of all time?

  • Every single Charlie Brown comic ever made by Charles Schulz
  • Hellboy (and the Amazing Screw-On Head) by Mike Mignola
  • Black Dog – The Dreams of Paul Nash by Dave McKean
  • Moby Dick by Christophe Chabouté
  • Miss Fury by June Tarpé Mills

I’ll also add a bunch of creators that you should look into, such as Sergio Toppi, Pia Guerra, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, Jack Kirby, Fiona Staples, Ethel Hays, George Pratt, John Paul Leon, Kate Beaton, Bill Sienkiewicz, Tula Lotay, Ashley Wood, Ted McKeever, Jason Shawn Alexander, Mike Huddleston, Jim Mahfood, and on and on it goes.

Advice for aspiring artists?
Create art that means something to you, or is at least focusing on something you’re passionate about. Don’t get caught up in comparisons or competition, just do your own thing and try to enjoy yourself along the way.

And be kind, to yourself, and others.

See more of Matthew Dunn art by visiting his Redbubble shop.

Header image: vulpes pilum mutat, non mores

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