Parallax Art Fair London from Oct 14th – 16th
An Interview with Loz Taylor
Is this the first Art Fair you have done?
“Yes, usually Art Fairs are for galleries to show the works of the Artists they represent, whereas this one is for self-representing Artists to show their works. There is a rigorous selection process whereby Chris Barlow will request a link from an Artist’s website and then decide from what he sees which Artists will be included – I have done shows in Wolverhampton, London and even Slovenia but none of the size of Parallax. There will be critics, dealers, collectors and a knowledgeable public in attendance, and it will be taking place at the same time as the Frieze Art Fair, so the whole of the Art world will be around at the same time”.
Tell me a little about the digital images you will be showing:
a) Ribbons and razor wire:
“Yes, this image will be used as an example for the catalogue, as I feel it is a strong piece which depicts the double edged sword of success: for example, you hear of a couple who have been married for years winning several million on the Lottery and it splits them up. Or Amy Winehouse, would she have gone down the same road if not for her success? The ribbons therefore represent the positive side of success, and the razor wire the failure. It is one of my favourite images, and is done in a true Pop Art style, which I am addicted to, and feel is still relevant today”.
b) Positive race riot:
“Influenced, to some degree, by Warhol, who produced several stark images of actual race riots. In my image ‘race’ is depicted as a horse race and riot as in what would happen if you got a great many riders and horses together at the same time. It would resemble a riot but would be a “positive” thing turning the original negative depiction into a strong positive image. Also there is the very deliberate use of the many different colours to represent mixed race harmony”.
c) Dogs of War:
“Another strong image I feel. I realised that a chess family is composed of six individuals, and related this naturally to the six greyhound racing colours. I designed and drew the image which was then produced in 3D on computer by my artist friend Lloyd Austins. The name “Dogs of War” presented itself to me because of the link between dogs and war i.e. dogs -greyhounds and war – the game of chess itself”.
d) Perfect Score:
“This is a still from a video which I feel perfectly demonstrates the meaning of Demo Pop Art. The dance theme led me to think of Ice Skating and the perfect score of 6. The woman in the video is provocatively dressed in black and white stripes (the number 6 greyhound colour) also the word score has a sexual reference which I found fitted perfectly with the image. Because for me it represents exactly what I am about with Demo Pop Art, I added the words “Demo Pop” to the image, the first time I had done so”.
e) The Audition:
“One of my very favourite images, Demo Pop is about, among other things, ambition and competition, and auditions are a hotbed of both. The girls in the image are competing against one another, hence the greyhound colours that they are wearing. It is to me a perfect piece of Demo pop Art. I am very happy with the appearance of it. It is cute like a piece of candy!.”
f) Young Blades Are Just So Glam:
“One of the original pieces of mine to use the greyhound jacket colours. Pointing to the fact that life is of course a race. It represents the bright young things “going for it” and using Edie Sedgwick seemed a good choice as she epitomised exactly that”.
So tell me Loz will there any surprises in store at Parallax?
“Well, I will definitely be taking along a 3D sample of the Greyhound Footstool, which will be going into production shortly, so people will be able to order those. I would like to mention here that I have received a lot of help with the footstool from Sara Macnab, a fashion designer from London, who has been brilliant throughout the whole process of its pre-production. The stool will be available at the Fair to sit on so it will be just the thing for a weary Fair-goer after a long day walking around"
"Also I will have an Arts Browser at the Fair because I want to present a selection of A3 prints to allow people to browse examples of my other work i.e. Power of Radio, Painted Bottles, Kidnap, Servants of Time etc. I intend to show one of each in the browser so that the visitor to the stand can rummage through and discover them. The idea behind A3 is to offer Fine Art prints to people who want the quality image but may not necessarily have the space for A1."
"I may have a few posters as well! I want to make some posters available of certain non-catalogue images such as the Pop Art cartoon “couple in the car” or the single girl “Audition” image, things that are on the periphery of Demo Pop Art but are pointing to it, promoting or advertising it if you like, but they work aesthetically and make great posters!”
So what about your catalogue for the event, how is that coming along?
“I am currently putting together the catalogue for Parallax which will include most of my Demo Pop images, each of which will have a unique reference number. There will be another section on the 3D products i.e. the footstool, the clock, and the rug, and also a section on the posters I just mentioned. I will also include a description of Demo Pop Art and Limited Issue Prints or (LIPS). I want very much for everyone to be able to walk away from the stand with something solid and memorable - people sometimes need time to digest all they have seen and also the idea, the concept of Demo Pop Art. The catalogue will enable them to do this at their leisure. It also provides a permanency, a way to look back to the Art and the images at a later time, and who knows maybe even fall in love with an image or two - all the necessary contact details will be there!”
Any Freebies?
“Yes, apart from the catalogues I will have a selection of free Demo-Pop badges, providing again something solid and eye catching. Strong and colourful mini Demo Pop Art to take away! There will also be fridge magnets, adding a bit of variety to the mix, which I feel has always been an aspect of some of my art anyway.”
What do you hope to achieve by showing at Parallax?
“I want to above all raise my profile as a Demo Pop Artist, to deliver a message that I feel needs to be repeated so it can sink into the conscience of the art buying public. I am acutely aware that before people will collect DPA they need to understand it, and I am confident that with understanding will come a deeper appreciation”.
You’re hoping for a few sales then?
“Yes, of course! Sales mean that the Demo Pop Art family can be developed still further from digital prints to the transposing of my images/designs onto 3D objects such as chess sets, clocks, rugs, table lamps etc, and then even further into fashion and jewellery. Also, personally, sales validate what I am doing and are personally gratifying. I am not afraid of being commercial and producing “Business Art” there is no stigma attached to it any more, this is the 21st century and the current generation of artists and collectors are completely at home with the concept”.
Will you be looking at other Artist’s work?
“Absolutely, this is a great opportunity to see a collection of artworks from all over the world, and also to measure the standard of work present. I am sure it will only serve to help me make better art in the future. I am also looking forward to meeting with other artists.”
So, what’s next after Parallax?
“The East London Design Show: I am looking forward to the ELDS and to showing my design work. I should have samples of the cushions and a properly manufactured “Greyhound Clock” by then!”
The East London Design Show (or ELDS) is an annual event that brings together the best of the UK's independent product, interior and jewellery designers, all under one roof and will take place at Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London in early December. For more info visit:
http://www.eastlondondesignshow.co.uk/info/
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