interview

Questions for Mr. Julian Opie

By Art World Magazine

1. Your animation work is always related to environment, or we can say "invading" into the urban environment, can you tell us the reason that you choose "Walking Man" series for the boulevard of 2010 Shanghai Expo? Have these pieces been shown in other occasion, what's the context then?

Julian Opie

I have around 35 artworks going, which are effectively focusing on the human figure. There are a few relating to landscapes, but most are centred on the human face and figure. There are some 3D works (statues), and also some which are moving/animated on computers.

There are some LED works - dancing and walking figures, which are fairly large.

The Primary gallery was where my first gallery shows started about 25 years ago.

The Painter of Modern Life.

Catalogue text for CAC Malaga museum show.

I begin these lines on Julian Opie in the early hours of the morning on my laptop at the Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a fascinating 1940's hotel, a hotel that could be in Singapore, a hotel like something out of a Somerset Maugham novel.

Julian Opie

I do wonder about these "light" interviews. I have done a few and I'm not sure what purpose they serve. "What is your favourite this or that?" It is more like a parlour game and should be played with friends. We did that last night and we all laughed a lot. When I try writing those answers down though they seem less funny. (Schwarzenegger playing the lead role in my life story.) There is a temptation to try to be witty or profound since an honest answer is often too difficult and always too long. I'll try.