Joey DAMMIT!, mixed media/collage pop artist, with a self-described obsession with the darker side of the cult of celebrity, holds nothing back in this exclusive JLG365 Q&A session. Also, we here at JLG365 want to have his love child.
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Let’s take a ride back in time. Tell me about your childhood. Where were you born?
Well, on my first bio that I used to send out to the media, [I said] I was born in the jungles of deepest darkest Africa and raised by a family of chimps until I was adopted by “The DAMMIT!’s”, a family who had made their vast fortune in the sex-toy industry. But, in reality, I was born in Madeira, Portugal ([an] island in the Atlantic, [close] to Casablanca) and [then I] immigrated to the lovely metropolis of Toronto when I was 4 years old.
[I did not have] a weird childhood or anything. I was an altar boy, was very much into the Catholic religion and it’s theatrics, and had every intention of going into the priesthood. Then came a lil’ something called puberty. Oh well …
At what age did you become interested in the arts? Why?
I get asked that a lot and the answer is: I was born an artist, and I’d be really surprised if most “artists” don’t feel the same way. I was drawing from the word go. My mom says the first thing she noticed of mine [that I drew] made her think, “Hey, the little fucker just may have a talent after all.” [I had drawn] Samson knocking down the pillars on the inside of my Sunday school text book. Then [I started drawing] superheroes, sports stars, KISS, nude girls and so on up the food chain. Why? I honestly don’t think I ever had a choice really. I think it has all to do with being in the spotlight and creating. Think about it: altar boy to rock singer to “fine” artist. I was always on stage in one form or another.
“Hey, the little fucker just may have a talent after all.” – Mama DAMMIT
When did you know that being an artist was your “true calling”?
In the middle of the night, in bed, in a manic episode, while drinking my [third] large bottle of Diet Coke and writing at super speed in my journal. It was the summer of 1993. I had always known I was a good drawer [and I] had already made a bit o’ a name as a cartoonist around town and all, but Joey DAMMIT! was certainly born that night: The name, the “Manic Montage” style, the self-promo … all [born] that night in bed!
Who were some of your early influences?
As far as artists went, in the beginning it was comic book artists, especially Bill Sienkiewicz (The New Mutants) and Frank Frazetta and his larger than life Conan (and more) paintings. Then I found myself not only being influenced by Robert Rauschenberg, Warhol and Basquiat, but even more by the genius of (frequent Neil Gaiman collaborator) Dave McKean and his graphic novel covers, Nick Bantock and his art in the Griffin & Sabine trilogy. [I was also influenced by] the manic-film stocks of Natural Born Killers, and the opening credits and mood of David Fincher’s SE7EN. Brilliant!
Tell me about your artistic style (“Manic Montage”). How long does it take you to create a single piece of work? Do you ever work on more than one thing at a time?
“The Manic Montage” came from a very long manic episode. [It] seemed to fit my mood, and the mad, frenzied look of what I was creating.
In the beginning I could do a piece in a day or two, now it can take a week to two or three weeks. A lot depends on my mood, how much time I have to work, the size of the piece, etc. And, yeah, most of the time I’m working on two separate pieces at the same time. I’ll work on a canvas until I can’t go any further because the paint or the glues have to dry, [so] I’ll put that one aside, and continue where I had left off on the other one. I once had this deadline to meet, and worked on four at the same time … [talk about] MANIC!
It is obvious pop culture, especially music, is prevalent in a lot of your pieces. What is your favorite type of music as well as your favorite musicians?
Yes, [I am] very influenced by music, but [I am also] influenced by film I’d say just as much. My musical tastes run in the same way my mixed media art is formed: mixed genres. I’m one of those people that gets bored very, very fast, so I have these mixed tapes (actually CDs now) that I make called “RadioDAMMIT!” [Like sitting in the car with a constantly changing radio station, the music can begin with] Nine Inch Nails, next Tony Bennett, next Waylon Jennings, next the Pistols and 15 songs later it ends with the theme song from Shaft or Twin Peaks. I am a big fan of Trent Reznor ([check out] what he did with the Natural Born Killers soundtrack) Dylan, Patsy Cline, NIN and Leonard Cohen [I] also love the eclectic sounds of Jane’s Addiction. So, it was a helluva treat to see Jane’s and NIN playing together this last summer.
Although I love all your pieces, there are a few from your galleries in particular that I am dying for the “inside scoop” on. Will you kindly take me and my readers through what went on in your mind when you created these pieces:
“JAYNE MANSFIELD: HEAD”
HEAD was actually a life changer … literally. I had not painted or even doodled in over a year and a half, I had a horrible bout of depression and I had even told my shrink that I was done as an artist. Then an artist friend of mine phoned me up and asked if I’d be interested in doing a group show (the theme being cars, in one way or another). I actually sighed and groaned out loud when she asked. I had absolutely no interest in doing art, never mind about automobiles, something I have no interest in, and I told her so. She [snapped] at me and [said], “DAMMIT JOEY! It’s right up your alley!” [When I asked my friend how so] she said, “Look, Jayne Mansfield … how’d she die Joey???” I said, “Decapitated in a car accident … SHIT!” I put down the phone, grabbed the book Hollywood Babylon, and right there, as I thought, was a two page black [and] white shot of the gruesome accident scene! I sketched the full painting in 5 minutes, with the word “HEAD” repeated over and over behind [Mansfield]. The sexual connotation and all made it that much better. [HEAD] was done in a week, and I swear I have never gone longer than a week since that night without working on a painting!
“ROBERT SMITH: OLD PAINTED DOLL IN THE THROES OF DANCE”
[This piece] was for a Halloween/birthday show (yes, I was born on October 31st, kids). I’m a big fan of the Smiths and the Cure and I wanted to create “CREEPY”. [The bands made for] perfect subject matter. [I] love the colors and mood of [this] piece.
“CIRCUS CIRCUS”
I am fascinated with clowns, like so many people I’ve met. I think it’s that they’re supposed to be funny, but I see them as scary and creepy. I mean, hello? JOHN WAYNE GACY?!? ‘Nuff said!
“THE BETTY BOX”
Simple. I love Betty (or Bettie, whichever you prefer), and [this piece] gave me a chance to play around with some 3D work. I love doing stuff in tangerine crates!
“JESUS VS. SUPERMAN (WHO WOULD WIN?)”
Oh, did I ever get in trouble with the Christian Right with that piece!!! A small group of them actually picketed the exhibition that painting first appeared in. I was in full anti-Christian mode at that period in my life, and I loved the idea and title. [I based it on] when we were young boys reading superhero comics [like the] “Who would win in a fight if he Hulk fought he Thing?” [one-shots]. That’s all it was. The best part, and I swear this is a true story, [was that] one of these bible thumpers asked me, “OK … who would win?” And without a seconds hesitation, I mean, it just came into my head just like that, I answered, “Neither. They’re both fictional characters.”
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Don’t even have to think about that one. [I beat a] horrible [18 year battle with] depression. [To just] just turn [things] around and do the best work of my career and [then] see that career take off by leaps and bounds all in a little more than a year … believe me … nothing else even comes close!
What advice would you give to the struggling artist?
Don’t for one second think that being a starving artist is in any way romantic or cool. [It] might have been in Paris in the 20’s, but now DO NOT BE AFRAID TO MARKET YOURSELF AND PROMOTE YOURSELF AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN! There is no shame in that, And if someone tells you otherwise, laugh in their face and lend them a few coins.
Are all your pieces for sale? Do you do commissioned work? If so, how can my readers contact you?
All my pieces are for sale. A lot [of the pieces] on my website [are] sold, so look for the red “sold star”.
I do a ton o’ commissions. Right now I’m freakin’ out ‘cus I can’t keep up, but I love doing them. You can contact me by [via my website]: www.joeydammit.com. Take a look around, hit the contact link and send me an e-mail. [By the way], we’re putting up ALL my 2009 work and commissions before the end of November. [It is] by far the best stuff I’ve ever done!
Finally, if you could describe how you see the world in one word, what would it be?
“INTERFUCKINESTING!”
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Well done (as expected)!!! #1) I would love to have one of his mix tapes! #2) I’d love to have him create his art based on 1 of his mix tapes!!! Thoroughly enjoyed!
Well, as I have always said, “He’s Joey DAMMIT! and we’re not!”
Very fun interview! Thanks.
Loved the interview!! It was great to get to see even more of your work that I hadn’t seen before. Keep on doing what you’re doing baby!! I love it!