JIMMY TURRELL

LEIGH VENUS TALKS TO THE BYKER-BORN ARTIST ABOUT HIS LATEST EXHIBITION, REACTIONARY ART AND BEING INSPIRED BY THE BYKER WALL COMMUNITY

Trailing a bounty of serious clients behind him – including MTV, Hugo Boss, Beck and the Chemical Brothers – Jimmy Turrell’s new exhibition catches the Byker-raised graphic artist and video director at a pivotal point in the year and his career.

“It’s a strange time to have a show. The whole thing is based on my reactions to 2020, the triple-threat of COVID, racial tensions and the financial crash. I’m a glass half full sort of guy, and the best way to predict the future is to create it and do it in a modern, pop-collage kind of way.”

Turrell’s iconic collage style and vibrant use of colour and texture will transform Newcastle’s Hancock Gallery, as his work is featured in a new group exhibition titled Doing:unDoing, taking visitors on a journey through his imagination and process.

“Sometimes I’ll start with a specific idea and other times I’ll put on a bunch of tunes and create, then post-rationalise after I’ve made it. Before coronavirus, I was trying out different techniques, colours and patterns. Then when it all kicked in, I focussed on specific imagery, thoughts and feelings I had about my place in the world.” With 2020 continuing to inspire, he’s tempted to hold off a little longer on showing his work.

“I almost want it to be after the US election so I can comment on that. I’ve printed large images of Trump onto glass, and I’ve smashed the glass, combining him with very positive quotes about the future. I want to respond in real-time, like Rauschenberg’s work about the moon landings, or what Marc Quinn did in Bristol recently, replacing the slaver statue with one of a protester.”

Following significant shows in London and Tokyo, this new exhibition is specifically about 2020, nothing more nothing less. “There’s so much to pack in, and it’s a bit of a mindfuck, but I don’t want to be hackneyed. Trump is a dark individual, and I want to tap into that, but I don’t want my work to be too US-based either – Boris is definitely going to feature.”

TRUMP IS A DARK INDIVIDUAL, AND I WANT TO TAP INTO THAT, BUT I DON’T WANT MY WORK TO BE TOO US-BASED EITHER – BORIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO FEATURE

Beyond Boris, being raised in the Byker Wall continues to weigh heavy on Turrell’s art and attitude.

“The geometric shapes still influence me to this day. Growing up there was amazing; it was like living in a Lego set. That idea of the Byker Wall, about keeping the community together, influenced how I look at society, and the Toon continues to affect my work and who I am.”

Fired by his dad when he tried to follow in his footsteps (“I was the worst carpet fitter in the world, and he knew it wasn’t happening. When you realise you’re shit at everything else apart from one thing, it’s time to jump in”), Turrell has long-since found his groove and is looking forward to the creativity that can be born from this inexplicable year.

“In times of crisis, dark times, great art is created. In times of prosperity, there’s a lot of shit art out there. Like, where’s the next working-class band? I’m talking proper twocker, glue-sniffing bands; there hasn’t been one for ages. The creative industries are in trouble. They’re all based around people being together, and for the art world, it means they need to consider different spaces, new ways of thinking. “Maybe this is the gestation period, and 2021 will be the creative aftermath.”

Jimmy Turrell’s work will feature in the group show, Doing:unDoing, which runs at Hancock Gallery, Jesmond from Friday 13th November until Saturday 6th February, and will also feature work by Robin Coleman, Stephen Johnston and Dan Parry Jones www.jimmyturrell.com