YDF26 Artist 13 Q&A: Emir Johnson

What’s your background?

Originally I was a painter. Then, a few years ago I started experimenting with kinetic sculpture. It was quite limiting what I could do without knowing electronics at this point so I tried to teach myself the basics, slowly incorporating eletronic and robotic elements into my work.

Who are your biggest influences?
Artistically? Who inspired you to become an artist?

I think some contemporary artists that influence me today are those like David Bowen and Zayd Menk. A lot of cybernetic and posthuman theory I read informs my work and helps me think about how I want to direct my work too.

How have you developed your career?
(From student to artist)

Once leaving university almost two years ago now I have completed a residency at FACT Liverpool as well as a mentorship programme with Arebyte based in London. I have tried to apply for open calls and opportunities where possible whilst at the same time committing roughly 35 hours a week to a part-time job.

What work do you most enjoy doing?

Definitely sitting at my desk playing around with scrap material around me and just making things. The administrative side that is the reality of being an artist I could live without.

What role does arts funding have to your practice? Could you and would you still be an artist if you weren’t paid to explore your art?

I think my work would need to take a different route if funding wasn’t an option. A lot of the time working with electronics you spend money you couldn’t really justify if you weren’t getting funding or paid for an exhibition opportunity, especially when holding down a part-time job to pursue artwork.

What advice would you give to a young artist beginning their journey to becoming an artist?

The reality of trying to make a career as an artist is that it’s tough. I think people should be prepared to be patient, practice their work a lot, and be prepared to make no money from it – if you do that’s great! But if you really want to do this as a living you’ve got to love what you do regardless.

Quick Fire questions…