The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2023 - Issue 33

biteartistprofile universe in fun and rudely jacked up colour schemes.” He responded, “I started making these simple handmade collages as a reaction to working as a graphic artist on computers for many years. I like the limitations of collage, using found imagery and a pair of scissors; there are no Photoshop options to resize, adjust colours or undo.” Webb studied BA in Fine Arts at the University for Crea- tive Arts in Farnham, Surrey. “It was an outstanding col- lege, entering focused on the arts, from photography and painting to glass making. Good times!” He enjoys looking at paintings with loads of textures and tries to imagine how the artist worked it into the canvas and the struggle and changes they made along the way. "I prefer paintings that aren't too realistic looking, and I enjoy the work of Peter Doig and Anselm Kiefer the most." When asked if another artist made an art piece he wished he had made, Webb replied, "Anything by Doig, especially his earlier landscapes." He also admires the textures and scale of Doig and Kiefer’s work. “Although my work looks very different to theirs, I don’t see the point of trying to emulate them.” In his opinion, a cutting-edge and suc- cessful artist is someone who is themselves and follows their interests. “If you do that, you should feel rewarded by making the work that reflects you.” He revealed he had always drawn and painted as a child and recalled making an A1 charcoal drawing of London Bridge in the fog when he was ten. His influences stem from around the world, travelling, looking at the night sky, visiting a gallery and sketching. “Anything that gets me away from a phone or computer helps.” His favour- ite creation is ‘Esme’s World’ featuring his daughter. “It's based on a photo I took on a visit to a sunflower field in Sweden, and it holds many fond memories.” The natural world moves the artist. “I visited Iceland last year and was blown away by the sheer amount of water- falls and incredible volcanic landscapes we saw. We did a day trip to a glacier and walked through an ice tunnel - it was mind-blowing.” While best known in the UK, Webb said having an exhibition somewhere sunny and warm would be fun. “A gallery in Greece expressed some inter- est before the covid lockdown… maybe I should follow that up!” After his work went viral, Webb entered a Saatchi Gallery competition with his ‘Antares & Love II’ artwork (named after the star) that looked at the vastness of space and the universe. Following his win, he was offered an exhibition at the gallery a year later. His work has been bought by Coldplay and cited for their music video ‘Up&Up’, Eric Cantona and the Madden Brothers. Record label com- panies commissioned him to make album art for music artists such as Janelle Monae and Tears for Fears. In his recent paintings, the overriding theme is gratitude. “To be grateful to be alive and healthy. I feel we tend to forget how amazing the natural world is and get bogged down with the treadmill of work and paying the bills that can make us less conscious and appreciative of the sim- ple things in life.” He would like to explore more political angles or comment on societal inequalities. “It's always a tricky subject, as I'd feel uncomfortable selling artwork around these subjects… it doesn't seem right to do so." Webb says the moment a painting is completed, it’s the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of being an artist and makes him feel good. On the other hand, when a