Ever wished you could float above the clouds? We know you’re lying if you say no. We have to admit there’s something bout the work of Melbourne Artist Be Free that makes this childhood wonderment of ours come alive: whimsical imagery, decorated with a playful set of floating cards; It’s all the tell tale sign of a creative that clearly understands what it’s like to hover high above the ground, with a head planted firmly in the sky.
With a knack of making images come to life with the most simple of affects, Be Free makes us remember what it’s like to be a kid, dreaming about what life was going to deal you. As a part of our week long feature of Fibre Femmes artist show, we stole a few moments from Be Free herself so she could explain what it’s like making art for our streets…
So, the name Be Free – it obviously has positive connotations, but what’s the actual story behind it?
No story really; just that if you’re not free, what are you? … I love the idea of being free …
Did you always want to create artwork? I think I have always been creative, in the early days skateboards, music and now visual art… Not to say I don’t do the others, it’s all the same, you express yourself on a daily basis.
… and tell us how you came to adorn our streets with your works?
My friend and I used to follow the street art scene a lot but never did anything. One day we decided that it would be really cool to be a part of it – a year later, I was actually doing it.
A lot of your pieces have a real innocence to them. Can you tell us where this comes from?
I guess I see things in people that makes me feel something and want to use that in my art. I like to use people I know, it’s kinda like keeping a record of things- this was that time and that place, and I felt this.
What’s the actual significance behind the floating cards?
Yeah the cards, well some of my friends back in Adelaide were big Alice In Wonderland freaks, and they use to scatter cards all over there walls and I always loved it.
Have you always used paste-ups? Are there other mediums you readily use? Or ones you like to use outside of your street work?
I really like mixed mediums, I would do more stencils on the street but the stencils don’t last very long and it’s harder to climb with them. Paste-ups are great, quick and easy, and you can get really creative with different types of paper.
I like that art installations step out and interact with people, I think people can stumble into the work without them even realising it.
Do you think it’s hard to be recognized as an urban artist?
I’m not really sure, I just like the fact that every street artist is adding and building to the street art culture …
What are your plans, artistically speaking, for the future? Working on my skills as an artist and just doing art on the street, I wasn’t even thinking about doing a gallery, but all the other girls that are doing the Fibre Femme’s show are so awesome I couldn’t say no.
Your collaborative all female show at Surface Pop, Fibre Femme’s, is coming up, tell us what to expect.
It feels awesome to be doing a show with the other girls they all have great styles. I think is going to be a big creative bombing session to change the space so it feels like you’re walking down a back street alleyway somewhere in Fitzroy.
Can you give us a hint about where Be Free’s next street piece is going to be?
Hmmm, maybe Melbourne city, or Prahran…
Check out more work from Be Free at her Facebook page. Dont forget to check out more details for Fibre Femmes at the Surface Pop Up blog and the Facebook Event.
Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *