Interview by Lucy A. Edwards on behalf of the Moniker Foundation
About the 'Female Perspective' Series
As a brand that has been led by an all female team for over 15 years, Moniker is proud to present this feature brought to you through the lens of British female photographer Hannah Judah, who’s journey we have followed for many years.
About the Artist
Faunagraphic, also known as Sarah Yates, was born in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1987. Then spent most of the childhood in the Yorkshire town of Todmorden. Her spraypainting journey began in 2008 when she first picked up a can at the age of 19 during her Graphic Design Degree with ideas to merge graphics with nature-related realism.
Tell us the narrative or back story to these two beautiful mural works?I painted a mural featuring a kestrel and magnolia because of the symbolism they each represent. The magnolia - a flowering tree that blooms in the winter - signifies resilience, reflecting strength. The kestrel - with its freedom and independence - has the ability to rise above challenges. Whilst the triangle is meant to touch on a prism effect with the colours - overall, the message I wanted to portray with this mural was to be uplifting for the community. The mural for Rise Up Residency in Margate, I have always enjoyed painted Herons, and I wanted to raise awareness on the large quantity of river birds who are affected by pollution on a daily basis - Herons, and other water birds, are frequently found entrapped in plastic and ingesting it constantly. The event was one of the best environmentally-based mural projects I think I have ever been to, the impact from all the murals was incredible. I think more mural festivals should have themes on occasion.
You're known as an "environmentally conscious street artist" - could you follow up on this a little more?
Over the last 17 years I have tried many different materials and even tested and promoted some for various companies, including Windsor and Newton at their London headquarters for Liquitex - the world's first, commercial, water-based artists' acrylic paint. I try to use chemical free paints where I can, and although I do still use spray paint I have learnt to be more minimalist with it. Unfortunately, no paint is environmentally friendly on a street art based level, even emulsions are toxic to the water systems and landfill, but for big murals I make fills with base coat and paint brush, and I try to recycle all my equipment. There are paint base coats available that I use that are harm-free eco paint, from suppliers such a Graphenstone / Earthborn / Farrow and Ball, these are my preference, but if I have no access to these then I have to use whatever is available. On another note, I recycle everything at home, and grow what I can of my own food - which varies each year and I compost.
What is it about nature that inspires you? And do you have a favourite creature/plant/scene in particular that you most enjoy painting?
I love the diversity of it, the millions of things to study and choose from. I don't have a particular favourite creature as such, however Birds are definitely a comfort zone that I love and no matter if I paint other things, there will likely always be a bird in there - there are also some creatures/scenes that I just don't want to paint. I love plants and insects that have vibrant or unusual colour schemes and patterns - my current favourites are Hollyhocks, Foxgloves and Vine flowering plants, whilst Ferns remain to be a long-term favourite. Ultimately though, I like to paint things that send me into a nature daydream.
Being from the North of England, did you find it difficult to "make it" as an artist? (being far from the creative hub that is London, I mean) And do you have any advice for young Northern artists?
When I first started painting street art, the scene was not as huge as it now so I did get invited to different parts of the UK (including London) to do various shows, events and exhibitions. However, I do believe if I had lived in London I would be a lot more successful now, but I always felt it wasn't my place in that city, and I didn't want to be struggling to pay my way there just to quicker advance the growth of my art following. I did question it, but I was a year out of having a serious type of blood cancer and didn't want to be too far away from my family - which was also a reason I didn't leave the Manchester/Sheffield area. I found that being online played a big part in being present within the scene and also for nationwide projects. The various social media platforms throughout the years; Flickr, MySpace, Fotolog, then Facebook, all contributed to people seeing my work across the UK. As for advice - I can happily say that, nowadays, most of the Northern artists I know all get projects, and everybody wants something different so there is always a chance for many types of art to thrive. It also doesn't take long now for a new painter to build opportunities thanks to Instagram and Facebook and the yearly growing public interest in the arts
Talk us through any of your fellow artists who have had an influence on you - either stylistically or on a personal level, or both!
The majority of artists I am inspired by are for sure those that I admired when I was studying Graphic Design and starting as a street/mural artist. Artists outside of the UK made me feel like it was possible to be a successful artist, and taught me that if I was passionate about what I did, I could also get international projects - they not so much influenced my style but I admired their work ethic and ideas. Artists like; Tara McPherson, CRAYOLA . 123Klan, Fafi, Herakut, Maclaim Crew, Toki Doki, Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, are to name but a few - and there was some amazing Asian artists I loved that did some surreal nature styles. There is a lot of world talent that is very motivating to pursue your own goals.
Lastly - tell us of any news that’s coming up for you
For the last year or so I have been compiling a book, on my journey through street art and the phases and experiences I have been through as I have developed. From the beginning of discovering walls within industrial derelict buildings, to then moving into more larger projects and different events and opportunities. Other news... There is always something on the agenda and in planning. I am still growing and learning as an artist to paint and design what is in my mind, or what I want to express.
Watch this space!
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All artwork copyright the artist (Faunagraphic)
All photographic image copyright the photographer (Hannah Judah)
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