Mark Alsweiler is a painter and sculptor currently based in Melbourne, best known for his delightful wooden sculptures and charming acrylic paintings.
Originally from New Zealand, he studied design at Otago University in Dunedin, though he’s spent much of his life in Sydney and travelling a world. Inspired by everything from skate culture to the natural world, his work exudes a graceful simplicity: bold colours and long, flat shapes, familiar characters and vignettes of daily life.
His work has been shown everywhere from China Heights to Edwina Corlette Gallery. We chat quick chat with Mark about his creative process, what motifs he finds himself constantly revisiting, and what lies ahead.
Chatting with painter and sculptor Mark Alsweiler about his creative process, what motifs he finds himself constantly revisiting, and what lies ahead.
HAPPY: What tools are indispensable to your craft?
MARK: Pencil and Paper. Where all ideas take shape.
HAPPY: Describe your creative process.
MARK: I begin by collecting images from either my own experiences/travels and photos of daily living mixed with more considered reference material, which I usually look up on the internet. Then I make a lot of drawings from this to form ideas for new work. Going for a walk or getting away from the work is always helpful too.
HAPPY: What are some themes or motifs that you find consistently crop up in your work?
MARK: Contentment, Community, Nostalgia, Positivity, Balance.
HAPPY: What are you working on now/what’s next for you?
MARK: I’m working on a show back in New Zealand in Wellington at a gallery and design store called Precinct 35. I just moved to Melbourne after a year back home in NZ. Hoping to get a good space to work out of here and start making some bigger work.
HAPPY: How do you personally define success as an artist?
MARK: Enjoying the creating process. Making whatever you want. Earn enough money to comfortably keep working. Respected by your peers.
HAPPY: Who are some locals artists that you love that we should check out?
MARK: Nadia Hernandez, Madeline Simm, Brendan Huntley to name a few!
Check out more of Mark’s work on his website, and follow what he’s up to on his Tumblr.
