FOOD FIGHT : Samuel Capell
Folkestone artist Samuel Capell takes aim at the fast-food industry and its influences on modern society
HOW DID YOU GET INTO ILLUSTRATION IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I’ve always had an artist streak in me from an early age, but until quite recently I still didn’t think I could or would have been able to fulfil my life with it. When it came to university, I chose illustration over fine art because of the element of story-making. It was quite a broad subject, so you weren’t pigeonholed into making something specific. But I found my inspiration from my work experiences.
ARE YOU A FULL-TIME ARTIST NOW?
I was a few years ago, but it was hard to sustain the income; therefore I work full-time now, but my shift pattern has enabled me to make work during my days off and in-between raising two children.
This work/life balance has inspired my latest exhibition, FOOD FIGHT. I had to make work on a tighter deadline and by working smaller and quicker while also using the experiences of teaching your kids good health practices.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
Historic. Subtle. Society change. Public health. Glass half-full. McDonald’s bashing.
ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA IT SAYS YOU ARE A FORMER MCDONALD'S EMPLOYEE – IS THERE A BACKSTORY WE SHOULD KNOW?
In 2006 I needed a job and thought surely flipping burgers couldn’t be so bad. Before I started, I thought I was too good for that job, but I was wrong. Whatever job you do, you will always meet great people and learn new skills – that’s the one thing I thank McDonald’s for. However, that’s where it stops and my love/hate relationship begins...
FAST-FOOD BRANDS GET THE POINTY END OF THE STICK IN YOUR WORK; WHY IS THIS?
Well, I think they have a lot to answer for, and capitalism in general. Life has become too convenient and health has suffered. However, my work doesn’t come from a judgmental view on other people’s choices but from experience… if it was [judgmental] I would be a huge hypocrite. I still think people need to take responsibility for themselves, especially parents influencing their children’s choices, but the marketing that big companies do, especially to children, has a detrimental effect on their health.
WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR DECISION ON USING A PARTICULAR BRAND FOR A PIECE?
It normally starts with the idea first, but I love collecting found objects and images – from fruit cartons to instructions on the back of chocolate boxes. I have a visual library that I will use over and over again. My ideas about food inadvertently change throughout time.
MUCH OF YOUR WORK IS CARTOON AND COLLAGE – DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE STYLE?
The cartoon style came from an idea I had about five years ago, wanting to use imagery from my childhood. But ultimately the ideas were born from raising my two children, pairing my nostalgic cartoons with fast-food packaging and looking at ideas around health, convenience, climate change and advertising. I don’t really have a favourite style, but I suppose collage and found imagery are big influences on my work, as well as screen-printing. It all depends on what message I’m trying to get across.
DO YOU HAVE ANY MAJOR INFLUENCES ON YOUR WORK?
I think Banksy’s movie Exit Through the Gift Shop had a big influence on me and all the artists involved. They all came from a background of making work without authority – doing it for everyone and not the status quo. Other influences include Andy Warhol, Barbara Kruger and Peter Blake.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE EVER COMMISSIONED PIECE?
My favourite commission to date is the one I did for Dover Pride last year. As well as loads of other artists, it had a very positive impact on the town, from celebrating the gay community on their march through the streets to getting so many positive comments while painting it and making the town a little less sh*t.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE OF YOUR OWN WORK?
It would have to be a piece called Climate Anxie-tea. Forming part of my latest exhibition, FOOD FIGHT, I screen-printed the famous painting The Great Wave on a PG Tips packet, highlighting our relationship with climate change.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT SO FAR AS AN ARTIST?
Well, I haven’t been accepted into many exhibitions, I’ve been kicked back from galleries and I’ve often looked to other forms of making money, such as running a gallery, freelance design, upcycling furniture, screen-printing and running workshops. But I would say I’m proud of myself for persevering with my art. I still get a kick out of selling work and running exhibitions. It has become a cathartic activity of late and I know it will be part of my life until I die.
INFO: www.samuelcapell.co.uk
INSTA: @capell_samuel
