“What art does — maybe what it does most completely — is tell us, make us feel that what we think we know, we don’t. There are whole worlds around us that we’ve never glimpsed.” Greil Marcus — Saturday January 10th — —

The idea is to die young as late as possible. — Ashley Montagu — Saturday January 10th — —

I love listening. It is one of the only spaces where you can be still and moved at the same time. — Nayyirah Waheed — Saturday January 10th — —

Inspirations — Joe Cruz

Joe Cruz is a very talented artist, illustrator and textile designer, which we have been following  since we discovered his work some years ago. In this period he has been consistently creating very strong images, distinctly using a toned down color palette and collage techniques. Joe was born in London in 1988 from a multi-cultural background: with roots in France, Spain, Austria and Morocco. He graduated from Norwich University of the Arts in 2010 with a BA in Graphic Design, specializing in Illustration after which he worked on commissions for clients such as Mary Portas, Stussy and Nokia, next to his free work which seems to have been influenced by his eclectic background in one way or the other.  We were very happy to collaborate with Joe in Journal de Nîmes Nº 9, for which the artist created an extraordinary collage using vintage photographs out of the Tenue de Nîmes private collection named ‘Denim Anonymous’. Having been inspired by Joe’s incredible work for all this time, we now ask him what inspires him in life.

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Who is the most inspiring person in history and why?
Muhammed Ali, apart from his sporting ability and charisma, his strength in his own beliefs.

Who is the most inspiring person in your life and why?

My dad, his is very positive and encouraged me to try and fail, he is always very supportive of my work and has always felt that anything is attainable for me and my brother.

Who is the most inspiring photographer?
Don McCullin

And the picture that will always stay in your mind?
A painting by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner called ‘Marcella’, painted in 1910.

Who is the most inspiring artist?
Ai WeiWei

And what is the most inspiring music?
Bob Marley

The thing you never go without?
Lunch

Your favorite city?
London or Sevilla

Your favorite hideout?
The library or if the weather is good, the river not far from me.

The website you often check?
Its Nice That

The books on your coffee table?
‘Art & Agenda: Political Art and Activism’, ‘The Modern American Poster’ and ‘Fotografia Publica, photography in print 1919 -1939’.

The books on your bedside table?
‘The Day of the Triffids’ by John Wyndham and the ‘Decorated School, essays on the visual culture of school’.

What is your dream?

Apart from being a professional sports person/ footballer.
I want to create work for the rest of my life and showcase it to as many people as possible.

What would you do if you could start all over again?
Learn Spanish.
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Portrayed with the interview is some of Joe’s latest incredible work, showing a new direction, although related to his earlier work, reminding us of our favorite works by Richard Hamilton.

For more information on Joe Cruz visit here.