Artist Highlight: Nick Barclay

This month's featured artist may be on the other side of the world but he has a design style that fits right into to the East End Prints collection. Prolific and varied in popular culture references we are very happy to introduce Nick Barclay's work. You can find his latest print range update for Wanderlust and his cocktail series on his artist page.

Where is home for you at the moment? 

Bondi Beach In Sydney

When and how did you become interested in making art?

I actually started making posters as a way of clearing out the ideas in my head to make room for Client Work ideas.

You have so many references to everyday icons, places and (our favourite) drinks in your posters. Have you always made work about this type of subject? 

I've generally always used popular culture as a reference as I like to show everyday things in a different light.

Give us a sense of what a typical day in the studio looks like for you? 

Take the dog for a walk and check the surf, sit down and do some work and if i’m not too busy I surf at lunchtime or in the afternoon then do a little more work and have a beer.

Did you go to art school or have you studied in further education? 

If so, where and what did you study? I studied Graphic Design at Norwich School of Art and design, They changed their name recently to Norwich School of Arts or something.

How have you been spending your time in lockdown? 

Pretty much doing what I always do… Lockdown wasn’t a harsh in Australia so the only real change was not being able to Surf for a month.

What’s you in your glass or mug in the studio? 

Tea.

What kind of music do you have on your playlist to get you in the creative swing? 

My music taste is rather varied and really depends on my mood. It can start at Ludovico Einaudi and end at Metallica and visit lots of different genres on the way.

What’s the last book you read? 

WW2 by Antony Beevor.

Do you have any funny anecdotes from being a young artist or student? 

One of them is that most people think I’m Australian as it’s always written that I am in interviews but i’m actually British and have never felt the need to correct it.

Quickfire questions:

• The worst album ever made to your knowledge? One persons worst is another persons inspiration… I I couldn’t say something is the “worst” just because I don’t enjoy it.
• Name 3 songs that are currently on heavy rotation in your studio when it's time to get to work.  Ascent Day 3 Ludovico Einaudi. Radio One’s essential mix (every Monday). Invader by Veers.
• Cats or dogs? Dogs
• What's your go to sandwich filling? Bacon
• Would you rather always be 10 minutes late or always be 20 minutes early? Always early and normally 30mins early.