SUBISM Stuart Boyd is an artist, designer and agent entrepreneur who created Subism to promote and raise the profile of modern street artists. Freeq catches up with Stuart to find out more about this creative collective. What and who is Subism? Subism is a multi faceted independent creative business with its roots in street art. It started with the launch of the online gallery subism.co.uk, to showcase and sell limited edition and original artwork and prints by artists such as Phill Blake, Julie West, Mr Penfold, Deus, Billy and other up and coming artists from the UK and around the world.
What made you decide to set up Subism? From as early as I can remember, I always wanted to work for myself and have something to call my own. I studied art and design, and qualified as a graphic designer, and after a stint in retail and being made redundant, I found myself putting my plans into action.
I now work as an agent for the Subism artist collective, sourcing commissioned projects and exhibitions. For me, it’s about getting the artists out there, selling their work and sharing and spreading the Subism vibe.
Being creative is where I am most happy and I really wanted to do something different. Street art is perceived as a non-conforming, subverted art form and I wanted to create a movement to break away from this perception, to promote the artists and their talent. What inspires/influences you? Different cultures and architecture inspires me and I love to travel and fully immerse myself in different ways of life, as it gives me new perspectives that come through in my work.
Another element of the business is Subism Create, a multi-disciplined creative agency providing branding and graphic design, web development and marketing services. Our edge is that we can also provide creative illustration for our clients drawing on our array of artists to suit their requirements.
I’m inspired by clean and clever branding and am motivated by art, fashion, music, colour, cool products and the relationships between objects. People make me happy and when I’m happy, I’m creative. Oh and rum, of course!
Over the last two years we have held ‘Subism Live’ arty parties in the East Midlands, London, Brighton, Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham mixing quality deep house music with live art - an exciting concept that has really helped raise our profile.