Artist Interview

I interviewed Bob Hyndman, my dad. Yes it was convenient for me, but I also thought it would be interesting. I've grown up around him and his work and his influence as an artist. I can't say I have the same love of fish that he has but he's definitely been a huge artistic influence in my life.

What motivates you to make your artwork?

I’ve never really thought about what motivates me to create art. It’s always been something I’ve just done, part of being who I am, how I think and see things. I would say that what motivated me to create much of the work I have done is curiosity. I have always been very curious about complicated things. I like the discovery process of solving complicated ideas, usually of my own creation. My art is often a solution to my own visual conundrum.  


I think it's interesting that his driving force is curiosity and that art is his solution to working it out. Curiosity is a driving force for pretty much everything, yet I don't hear it as a reason for art very often. 

What are you trying to communicate through your artwork?

At its essence, whether abstract or realistic, my work is about complicated space. I love the contrast of a smooth undulating surface juxtaposed and sharply defined edges, the predictable verses chaos.

I remember watching him doodle on a napkin once and watching the pen. He rarely lifted it from the napkin, squiggles everywhere, and eventually it made a face. His description here reminds me of that, it was a chaotic mass of squiggles and scribbles and yet, I could tell what it was because of his line and space control. 

What's your favorite subject matter?

Fish. They are a reoccurring theme in any media I work in. When I was young I thought for the longest time I was going to be an oceanographer, the next Jacques Cousteau. That interest has carried over into my art.

It's funny how often I see science and art go together. He's been making ceramic fish sculptures since I was little. He's always loved fishing and  using fish as a subject matter. Art is most fun when you're using a subject matter you like, right?

I don't have any pictures right now, but I'll update the post once he's sent one.