Today we’d like to introduce you to Brew Lamb.
Hi Brew, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story in art starts as a kid in the mid 80’s to early 90’s. I would always wake up early on Saturday mornings and lock myself into the couch for hours to watch shows like He-man, Garfield and Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Then, as I grew older and my palette refined, I remember becoming more interested in cartoons like The Simpsons, Ren and Stimpy and Beavis and Butthead. Today, all of these shows play a pivotal role in what peeks my visual interest.
Then, with the onslaught of technology in the late 80’s, video games took over my life for a couple of years. I was always fond of huddling around an old box TV for hours with friends and playing NES and Sega Genesis until the wee hours of the morning. We would drink as much Surge as you could, to stay up as late as possible. There were no saves back then, so you just had to keep going. Video games have been another major factor into the things I find visually pleasing. The funny thing is I don’t really like new video games. They don’t leave a lot for the imagination anymore.
Then, during the mid 90’s, hip hop and skateboarding changed the paradigm again. At the time, I remember skate companies pushing barriers with the graphics on their boards. Skate companies like Toy Machine, Flip, and Hook-ups were unlike any visual art I had ever seen. These big, bright and bold graphics with a little subvergence tied into them was like taking in a whole new world. This was everything a young adolescent kid could want right? All of this was all happening during the time I found hip hop and groups like Wu-Tang, Outkast and Mos Def. This music provided the backdrop of skateboard videos like 411 Video magazine. Which I remember waiting for by mail.
So all in all, I would say Pop culture and nostalgia have played huge roles to how it all started for me and where I am today with my art.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I would have to say it’s felt like a rough ride at points to get to where I am today. But, looking back at it now, you have to embrace the potholes otherwise you’ll get stuck in one of them. Everything great comes with some failure and if it doesn’t, then you haven’t pushed yourself hard enough along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a visual artist that uses nostalgia to create my work. I first gained exposure into the KC art scene from the mural work that I do, but I currently work in several disciplines with murals and gallery work being my main focus. I’ve recently been exploring new art forms of art with the emergence of NFT’s, 3-D printing as well as custom art rugs.
Some of the things I’m most proud of in my career are my collaborations with other artists. It astounds me to be able to create something that was not remotely possible without the contribution of another artist, and is one of the things I definitely enjoy the most about the art world. We are also very fortunate to have the talent pool of amazing artists we have here in the city. Outside of that, I would say I’m very proud of some of the gallery shows I’ve been able to be part of that have included artists from around the world that I look up to.
The thing that I think sets me apart from other artists is my child-like curiosity. I’m someone who easily becomes bored with a subject or topic, so I am constantly looking for what is next on the horizon. This keeps my mind fresh and ripe with new ideas.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I would have to say the best way to network in this community is to make it a priority to get out to the shows of the people you admire and look up to. Be the one to start up a conversation and try to make friends with as many people as possible because you never know who will be the one to help you out along the way.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.spaceshipzulu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spaceshipzulu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brew.lamb
Image Credits
Mural of Pink comic book girl on wall – Erick Rhoades Personal photo – Sam Goldman Bird with clouds mural – Diana Gonzalez
