Geoffrey Wonnacott — ARTIST

Geoffrey Wonnacott

Interview with artist Geoffrey Wonnacott —

1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Geoffrey Wonnacott. Presently I work as an contractor and consultant designing and fabricating exhibit components for museum displays. I also spend as much time as possible in my studio, most recently working with collage as my medium.

“Great Wave – After Hokusai”

2. Why art?
When asked, Why art?, it just brings to my mind the question of, what is art? Now that’s an oldie. Most of us only pursue an activity that rewards us in positive way. It could be very private, or very open but regardless it becomes part of our identity. In a sense this is how we express our ‘self’. Artists have a big reputation for expressing themselves but in fact most people are artists. Some people just like to make stuff. That’s me.

“Janice”

3. What is your earliest memory of wanting to be an artist?
My uncle was a professional artist and art educator. My mother liked to putter about with paints. I don’t recall early aspirations to be an artist but there were usually materials around to draw with, cut things up, put them back together, create something.

“Monster 3”

4. What are your favorite subject(s) and media(s)?
I’ve have a bit of a history of arts related projects. Performance, installations, sculpture, photography. Currently I am producing collage works. Collage has been a touchstone for most of my arty creative output. I’ve done it for a long time, it’s always there for me. I like it.

 
5. How do you work and approach your subject?
For my collage work I have a huge resource of cut and filed material. I jot down ideas in the briefest of notes and sketches. At times, to execute these ideas, it is a swift procedure. I know what I want, I know where the pieces are. Other times I’m carried away with process and spontaneous decisions. I will do full size renderings, have overlays, registration tabs, lots of tweezer work. I get lost until there is a magic moment when everything finds it’s place.

“Monster 17 – Mal de Mer”

6. What are your favorite art work(s), artist(s)?
I think I like most art and I have respect for most artists. It’s the things I don’t like that come more to mind. I don’t like a lot of the ‘art’ I see in furniture stores for example, or my dentists examining room. Soulless.

“Monster 5”

7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
I haven’t exhibited my collage works really. I’ve had a few hanging in my sister-in-laws bar but that’s about it. I post some on facebook and I’ve had one piece exhibited in a magazine. So, best responses are ‘likes’ on FB and I also enjoy it when people are impressed that I don’t use a digital process to create these images. It’s all cut and paste.

“Given Names – Emily Joy”

8. What do you like about your work?
I’m satisfied when I have achieved the maximum effect with the simplest means. I tend towards squirreliness, I have to keep telling myself to pull back and simplify. When I produce something that really smacks, without being too complicated, I can feel it, this is what I like.

“Monster 16”

9. What advice would you give to other artists?
The only advice I could give to others is a nugget of knowledge that I have gained through experience. Keep moving because if you don’t you won’t go anywhere.

“Monster 15 – Pole Dancer”

10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
In 5-10 years I see myself being pretty much in the same place I am now. But that could all change.

Geoffrey Wonnacott

LINKS —

Email:  collagetech@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geoff.wonnacott/about
Outdoor sculpture installation: www.fieldworkproject.com