Conversations: Shane Swift
Shane Swift, the ominous force behind the popular instagram account, @SwiftDeathClub is an artist on the rise and a name to remember in 2017. We have been a fan of his work for quite some time now, so for our first collaboration we knew it had to be with Shane. View our first jacket collection and the SS collab here. We caught up with Shane to talk vices, music and more... Enjoy.
TEMPLE: A lot of your work, seems to have a lot of symbolism. Why? Where does it all come from?
SS: I tend to put a lot of symbolism in the things I make, simply because I don't want the viewer to get it all at first glance. In a culture where we scroll past art with the flick of a finger, I like to make it something you have to think a little harder about.
"The job of the artist is to always deepen the mystery".
T: Does your art have a message?
SS: I'm not exactly sure if it has a message. It's extremely vague, in the sense that it allows interpretation for anyone looking at it. If I write "love" you'll think of someone you love, the same for "hate" and so on. It's just my thoughts and feelings in a format that lets the person looking at it connect a little deeper, even for a short while.
T: Tell us about your workshop or creative space?
SS: I am currently in between studios. I just left one I shared with a friend, not too long ago. It was a great space. It felt like an underground hideaway in the middle of the city. Ive had several studios in recent years, but the vibe of the place is always more important than the physical location. Right now, I just work at home and at coffee shops.
T: What/who is your inspiration? Where do you draw your creativity from?
SS: Nobuyoshi Araki, Chanel, neon, Japanese art, Mark Rothko, night, Anime, roses, Alexander Lobanov, women, Le Cassette, strippers and the color black.
Things like these inspire me and put me in a mindset where I really want to create.
T: What is your background? Where are you from?
SS: I haven't been making art seriously for too long, it's just something that's been therapeutic for me. I'm not good with voicing things, so I prefer to draw them. Ive lived in a few places in New England. Massachusetts to not be so exact.
T: Vices? Cocktail?
SS: Cigarettes, red wine, women, and most other things that happen after dark. I don't have a problem with sinning here and there.
Drink of choice would be a rum and coke.
T: What type of music do you listen to?
SS: Lately it's been a lot of synth, European electric/industrial and dark wave. I prefer music that is sensual with a bit of violence.
What are the last 10 songs you listened to?
• Le Cassette // Tokyo Blues
• Mind.In.A.Box // Remember
• Tool // Schism
• Massive Attack // Mezzanine
• Depeche Mode // Stripped
• How To Destroy Angels // BBB
• Deftones // Prince (BassNectar remix)
• Le Cassette // Tonight
• Tool // Vicarious
• 2814 // 恢复
T: Hobbies?
SS: I don't have too many hobbies outside of art honestly. I devote so much time to it, and I don't want to spread myself any thinner. I don't sleep and there still isn't enough time in the day.
T: What are your proudest accomplishments?
SS: I'm still alive
T: Anything cool coming up?
SS: I'm doing a final 100 pieces and then I'm done. Time to start a new.
T: If you could describe your work in one word, what would it be?
SS: I think I'll leave this question up to anyone who looks at any work of mine.
Thanks for taking the time to listen to me.
