I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember. It’s what I was really good at in school though way back in the sixties in the grimy schoolrooms of Northern England, art wasn’t the sort of thing men, or women for that matter, did to survive. A boy needed something more practical with which to go cap in hand to his masters and betters seeking a living. So, like most of the other kids, I studied what I was told would earn me a place in the world. In my case that was science.
I completed my Honours in Physics and Electronics at St Andrews University and even collected a nice shiny medal for my academic efforts which looks rather nice in the library. I then went on to complete a PhD in solid state physics before moving to Australia to undertake gainful employment. Looking back, following the science path is not something I regret at all. I’ve learned so much about the workings of the universe and yes, managed to wrench a reasonably tasty slice of the pie from the world in the process. But first and foremost, I’ve always been an artist.
The art world is a fickle mistress, notoriously hard to please – and meager with her favors when you do! Though in general I can’t complain about the way she’s treated me. Over the years I’ve created works spanning a wide range of the artistic spectrum. I’ve exhibited in most of the big shows across the country like Sculpture by the Sea and the McClelland Survey, I’ve even had a piece exhibited in the National Gallery of Australia. But at the same time I’ve also worked on some very commercial projects and things that were silly and fun.
One thing every artist – in fact every person – needs, is a pigeon hole. You need to be a "something", or many people won’t get where you’re coming from. Jackson Pollock was an Abstract Expressionist, Picasso was a Cubist, what are you? Once I used to scratch my head at that point, what indeed? My work is inspired by both science and a passion for the beautiful aesthetics of the Victorian era. Not just the frilly end either. Also the big heavy riveted iron monsters of Victorian industry. My work isn’t realist, nor is it abstract. It’s not minimal then again it’s not entirely traditional. What it is, is what’s recently become known as Steampunk.
Steampunk is a celebration of the union of historical and modern. It’s what would have happened if we weren’t forced to pretend that there was something fundamentally wrong with Victorian art and design. But it’s not what would have happened if all the modern movements like impressionism had simply been strangled at birth as some ultra-traditionalists might have liked. It’s a monstrous child born of the non-linearity of time. It’s art that grew up, left home, misbehaved then repented to return older, wiser and better.
Although the work I make fits nicely under the Steampunk banner, it’s not done to be trendy or cool or even to make money – though money is nice. It’s done because I love to do it. I hope you love it too and buy it in your millions making me famous and wealthy beyond my wildest dreams. But, if you just enjoy looking at it here, I’d be happy to settle for that too.
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Contact: timwetherell@gmail.com