As one of Perths continually rising stars, Daek is fascinated by many things – not least of which is his curiosity and infatuation with the women that he paints. His work, a composite mesh of graffiti and illustrative, painted complexity, are often light, with a hint of lustful attitude. They are also, at times, deeply personal – especially when his hands take on the subject of his friends, and the stories that they have to convey.

Aside from his hefty, and ever growing artistic talents, Daek is also the manager of Perths Last Chance Studios, one of the Wests most prominent and reputable creative hubs. Over the past few years, Last Chance has seen the launch of many of its members into the wider stratosphere of the art world, and is well known as a leading force amongst the Australian street art and low brow scene.

With Prahrans RTIST Gallery launching their second group show this weekend, Invurt wanted to highlight some of the talent that will be on display at the show. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, we contacted Daek, and asked him about life, art, and those three words that seem to drive him to create his compelling and sublime work – fascination, infatuation, and obsession …

How did your early days influence your overall development as an artist, and how did you first start practicing your craft?

For me, it all started when I purchased a “Bates, On The Run” book from a local record store. That’s the first memory I have of some outrageously amazing graffiti. I used to copy it, and create girls names in that style so I could send letters them at school when I obviously had no chance with them! … (lets skip a few years of being rubbish) …  and then I teamed up with Kid Zoom, and that’s probably was when shit started getting real. I think I can thank that guy for just being so good that it made me want to keep up with him!

Our ideas just kept getting bigger and bigger. Doing paintings with a brush was never really on the agenda at that point in my life. Also, one thing that’s has always stuck out in my mind over the years, was when we got to paint with our local heroes – people like Arye, Yok and Feck.

I remember Zoom and I would always talk, and wonder when it’d all start to happen – snap!

“Fascination. Infatuation. Obsession” – three compelling words from your artist statement – what do these three things represent for you, as an artist, and how have they shaped your artistic expression over the years?

Honestly, I was always just jealous with other peoples unique styles, and that I never really had one. I think one day it just clicked, and that I should be painting what I love, and not searching for something to define my work by.

What do I love most?! Definitely women, with a nice serving of tea and a few cigarettes while painting! I’ve also been working on my friends obsessions, people I share stories with and have been influenced by. Painting for people, which I’ve really been enjoying – its a little less selfish and its nice making a few people smile – nawwwww.

Speaking of women, a lot of your work features a helmeted, half covered or outright naked, hot girls – can you tell us a bit more about these girls you love painting so much, what they represent, and what inspires them?

The first thought that pops in my mind is “I’m a total pervert!” I can definitely say this is, somewhat, true in my work. That said, it also dives a little deeper. I do paint about the girls I meet, share experiences with, fall in and out of lust with, befriend and, of course, what I find to be outright bangin … wellllll, okay, maybe most of it is the bangin part!

The helmets are a concept of my own experiences with women, and how I have physically seen their nudity, but mentally have usually been ignorant, or oblivious, to what they have to say. This may be a way of being aware of my flaws – and I express that. I’ve also found it a great way to tie it in to someone’s story that I may be painting about. 

 
Where does your affinity for wood spring from when you are working on exhibition/gallery pieces? We’ve noticed its use a fair bit in your gallery/studio work …

Straight up, I’m pretty sure I got the idea from my friend Creepy, it just looked so cool, and reasonably cheap. I just had to give it a go, and building my own boxes (any size I wanted!) was totally satisfying. Then there are the multitude of awesome ways that you’re able to treat the wood – stains, glosses, painting and sanding. Both spray and acrylic work well and create tasty textures, and the grain is a perfect back drop for a nice piece of artwork.

You’re the manager of Last Chance Studios – a much respected, highly talented collective of individuals over in P-town – can you tell us a bit more about Last Chance, how you started it up, the artists, and what you guys are all up to at the moment?

Thanks for the compliment! Much appreciated! Well, I think we all just came together because of our drive – we’re just good friends, pushing each other forward.

The studio came about because I was dumb enough to sign a shop lease, with out actually knowing what to do with it. Wait! I’ll stick all the people I like working with in it, then we will do our work together! Bam. Last Chance Studio was created, and from there its just been one adventure after the next. Its’ incredible, what multiple, like minded people can do together,  rather than just you doing it on your own.

At the moment, most of us are working on our own developments. Kid Zoom is totally killing it in NYC, and everyone’s trying to catch up! Creepy is cruising around the world at the moment, and we just saw flicks of him and Sydney’s Beastman painting in Berlin together. Sean Morris just came back from a show in NYC, and it seems like a lot of travel is on the agenda for us –  seeing the world, painting in shitty laneways – all that jazz!

What have been some of your most favourite, and memorable places you have painted out in public, and what have been some of the best experiences you have had in your pursuit of art?

SO MANY!

In short form:  feeling wonky after being on scissor lift for four days. Painting in a Craigie battle with Zoom, while also while fitting in painting a Youth Centre bus at lunch time. Standing on bins in the cold rain, picking up a shipment of Beltons scattered across the road in Brick Lane in London with Sickboy. Live painting for a night club I wouldn’t be allowed into on any other given day. Every painting with Creepy is always a memory! Meeting the people that I look up to, or just love their work, and getting a chance to paint with them is pretty fucking cool in my books.

All that said, I think the best memories are those I have where I’m just hanging out with all these people, and doing dumb fun shit! Drawing penis men for a few hours while drinking. Turning a fold out couch into a character, and getting drunk girls to pose on it! Turning up to unknown parties, playing our own music and dancing the shit out of their kitchen – and, of course, seeing boobs while painting at a festival in the country! Yeehaaa?

We saw that you are going to be getting back to Double Lucky in Leederville and painting a new piece on the building – you did one on there several years ago and its a pretty well known one – are you looking forward to the even coming up, and have you already started plotting and scheming what you’ll do for it?

I’ll be smashing this one over the coming weekend with some very talented chaps! I kinda think its funny, that, just as the Zoom blows up, and his value gets incredible, they’re wanting us to go over his work. I might have a bit of a giggle to myself going over that one – sorry Kid!

What do you yourself have planned for this year? Any chances of a further solo show in the works? Its been a while, back in 2007 – and will we be seeing you over east any time soon?

I’m off to NYC again for a well deserved holiday, with my special lady friend Ashton, and we’ll be checking out roller coasters in Canada – WONDERLAND!@#!@, It’ll be a all new adventure for me, hanging with my homies Zoom and Yok, and I hear Creepy might be joining us – that will be nice.  I’m sure some jazz and such on some walls will be going down, and possibly looking for an apartment?? Hopefully, when I return, I’ll be continuing to work toward my next solo show, and sending that … over to somewhere!?!?

It’s all up in the air at the moment, but for now, you can see a new collection of my works in a show in Melbourne, at RTIST Gallery, for their second group show – it looks awesome! But, unfortunately, I’m stuck in P-town in the grind!!

Check out the blog for Daek here, and also take a look at the Last Chance Studios website. Go here for more details on the group show that Daek is a part of this Friday night at RTIST Gallery in Prahran, or check their Facebook for more details.