SFist Interviews: John Casey

I met John Casey in 2007 when we participated in Nicole Wintermeyer’s "Arthead" a group exhibition. I had found him to be a mild mannered gentleman with a determined work ethic. You only need to look at his exhibition calendar to know how hard John works.

Prior to our meeting I had noticed his art at various local bay area shows stretching to the di Rosa Preserve in Napa Valley. His illustrations are narrative, a world of human biomorphic creatures in black and red. Although his creations are not limited to drawings and paintings, Casey pushes his passion for the arts into forms of sculpture, photography and installations as well.

Casey has just released a book, Scarecrow, with Rowan Morrison Publishing, and at this year's 2009 Southern Exposure's "9th Annual Monster Drawing Rally," he confirmed to me his representation with Svea Lin Vezonne's prolific Swarm Gallery in Oakland.

Tong: Tell me about Distant Cousins and how you came up with the concept?

Casey: This show is a continuation of my exploration of "emotional biomorphology," a phenomenon that takes place in my alternate universe where people's physiques morph based on their emotional and psychological states of mind. Imagine if what you were feeling emotionally manifested itself physically. A person's head could disconnect and float away, or their body could grow an extra or disproportionate limb, or they could sprout multiple eyes. These beings are a lot like us, but not us. They live by different physical and biological rules. They are our Distant Cousins.

T: How long have you had to work on this show?

C: Probably about 4 months, I have had some other show opportunities come up but I tried to keep the work for this show separate and specific. I worked on the drawings first, then focused on some large drawn on wood cutouts, and finished with one final sculpture. I'm 99% finished with the work.

T: What do you do to find inspiration for your work? Once in a while I find myself with “artist block” does this ever happen to you? Or am I the only one?

C: Believe me, you are not the only one. I've had months of difficulty at a time. Reading helps. I like Sci-Fi or oddball fiction. Also I like going to galleries and museums for inspiration. My wife and I just recently went to the Academy of Sciences. Nature is quite inspirational. I don't pull specifically from these sources. I just try to expose myself to a lot of visual stimulation and then let it all fester in the dark recesses of my mind to emerge later as part of my own visual language.

T: Do you remember your first show? Can you tell me how you felt and the art that you displayed?

C: I remember showing in art school (Massachusetts College of Art) as well as the first shows I had in Boston. I wasn't feeling much confidence in my work and I was probably pretty nervous. I certainly feel more confident about the work these days but even now I get nervous before a show. The work, although generally open in narrative, is still very personal. I'll relax after a couple of beers at the opening.

T: As an artist, work can naturally change and progress in time. Can you see your work changing much in the future? Have you ever thought of doing something so totally different that it would lead your viewers to say “This is John Casey?!”

C: There are plenty of times that I think I'd like to change the work dramatically. I've experimented with different media and ways of working, the results of which no one will ever see. I guess the more natural, slower development of my work is what suites me best, probably the most honest approach.

T: With the cost of materials to produce your creative endeavors, has the recession affected your work, if at all?

C: Absolutely. None of the drawings in this show will be framed. I have always had my work framed, but for this show, the number of works makes it cost prohibitive. I will have some very affordable 8"x10" drawings available as well, keeping folks' budgets in mind.

T: People pay homage to your work by getting tattoos of your drawings. Now that could be pretty flattering, what’s your opinion of this?

C: Talk about the highest form of flattery. I'm all for it.

T: I know you’re residing in the east bay, but I also know that you are quite active in the art community in San Francisco as well. What galleries do you frequent here?

C: Pretty much all of them, seriously, I hit a lot of openings, mostly of artists whose work I admire or who I am friends with. But I do have favorite galleries which I go to regularly (in no particular order) such as Receiver, Southern Exposure, David Cunningham Projects, Fecal Face Dot Gallery, Linc Art, Jack Fischer, Jack Hanley, Electric Works, Adobe Books, BellJar, Root Division, The Lab, Triple Base, Gregory Lind, Stephen Wirtz, Catharine Clark, Rena Bransten, Marx and Zavaterro, Park Life, Steven Wolf, Mark Wolfe, Patricia Sweetow, Paule Anglim, Shooting Gallery, White Walls, Upper Playground, I'm sure I've forgotten one or two. I will miss the Bucheon. I'm looking forward to David Fullarton's show at Hang Art that opens this First Thursday.

T: The art world can be a tough business to make a living in. Do you have any advice for those that want to accept the challenge?

C: Sure... don't expect to make a living as an artist. I don't. I have a day job. If I make a sale it is gravy to offset my expenses. As a good friend said to me once, "You don't have a drug habit, gambling habit, or kids. Making art is cheap in comparison."

T: Let’s get to know John Casey outside of the art environment. I know you to be a BBQ guy, who’s your local bay area favorite?

C: My buddy, Derek Weisberg (great artist) and I starting hitting BBQ joints once a week several months ago. We focus on the East Bay for BBQ mostly. My currently favorite is KC Bar-BQ in Berkeley. Other favs are Chef Edward's and Elve's BBQ & Soul Food in Oakland. Phat Matt's BBQ has a stand at the Grand Lake Farmer's Market. They make great pulled pork.

T: You’re originally from Massachusetts, Salem in fact. Now, I’ve read that Salem is famous for it’s accusations of witchcraft back in the day. You were also born on Friday the 13th, anything you want to share? Any sort of fun facts or folklore you grew up hearing about in Salem?

C: Thirteen is my lucky number. I was born in Salem but grew up in Swampscott next door. Every kid who lived within proximity to the Salem Witch Museum has been on the museum tour and seen the dusty old mannequin display of the poor dude getting gruesomely crushed by huge stones as he refused to confess to witchcraft. In the late 1600s. over 100 people were incarcerated and a bunch were hanged. The majority of the original witchcraft afflictions and accusations took place in what was Salem Village but is now Danvers. The trials took place in Salem proper as well as Boston and other towns. So it wasn't an isolated incident by cultists but a broader atrocity. The current theory is that the afflictions were the result of hallucinations caused by bread fungus. The hysteria was perpetrated by religious zealots. Some things never change.

T: Hypothetically, lets say you’re not an artist. What other career do you think you would find yourself in?

C: I think I'd be a teacher. I've done some volunteer teaching. It's exhausting but rewarding. Or maybe an astronaut.

T: Will you remain a bay area resident and artist? Have you ever-pondered taking flight to Los Angeles or New York?

C: When I lived in Boston for many years I thought I'd live and die there. So, I'd never say never, but I love the cities by the bay and don't have any plans to relocate.

T: Thanks John for gifting us with your art and letting me pick you brain so to speak. Any final words you would like people to know?

C: Thank you Micke for the excellent questions. Everyone should come on down to Swarm Gallery this Friday. We got live music, a keg, Don Porcella in the project space, and a group show titled "Regime Change" celebrating Swarm's 3 year anniversary, all under one roof. Should be a good time.

Distant Cousins opening reception is Friday, April 3, 2009, 6-9PM at Swarm Gallery in Oakland. Oakland and runs from April 3 - May 10, 2009. You might find the talented John Casey at a number of art openings in the bay area, at a BBQ joint, or maybe even at your local watering hole drinking a Guinness. Sift through his life at www.bunnywax.com.