Sydney based artist Marc Etherington paints weird waterworlds in fish tanks, snippets of his favorite movie scenes, and imaginary patches. His approach is loose and natural, giving his work an aesthetic that is unique, accessible and just pleasurable. We got a chance to find out more about Marc Etherington–his influences, approach, and paintings as he prepares in this new year with an upcoming solo show at the Michael Reid Gallery in August. Make the leap!
Photographs courtesy of the artist
Would ya be a pal, and introduce yourself to everyone?
My name is Marc Etherington. I am a painter from Sydney, Australia. I go by the name hugeskull on Instagram because I have a rather large head.
How would you describe your work to someone who isn’t familiar with it? Where do you find inspiration for the things you’ve made or are making?
I have heard my artworks described as naïve or outsiderish and things like that , but I don’t really know how to describe it. I find inspiration in movies I love (by Wes Anderson, the Coen brothers & Quentin Tarantino - Star Wars and The Goonies), music, tv, art and design. I have a pretty dark sense of humour and if I see something on the internet that makes me laugh I’ll probably try and paint it.
Can you talk to us specifically about some of your awesome aquarium paintings as well as those patch paintings? How did that come about? Do you own any tropical fish tanks?
I started painting aquariums about two years ago. I have a small aquarium at home that inspired them. I sometimes have a couple of beers and watch the fish swim around. I find it pretty relaxing. I started imagining other little worlds and scenes that could be inside a fishtank and that’s when I started painting them. I’ve painted 30 or 40 of them now.
The patch paintings are a recent thing. I want to paint 100 different ones and get them made into patches. I just started collecting patches on my travels and buying ones I like online. I need more jackets to put them on. I would love to learn how to loom rugs. It looks like it would be mega relaxing. I’d like to incorporate my painting style into them. I’d also like to try macramé.
Who were some artists that influenced or that you looked up too?
Back when I first started painting, about ten years ago, I was really inspired by The royal Art Lodge guys. I love David Hockney’s work - Howard Finster, Bill Traylor, Chris Johansson too. I have a great little group of artist friends here in Sydney who also inspire me.
What art supplies would you bring if you were exiled to another dimension?
I have a toolbox on wheels full of acrylic paints and some brushes that I would drag along, and some cut up sheets of marine plywood to paint on.
Where did you learn your knowledge of art or making art? Art School or Self taught? What’s something you’ve taught yourself in regards to art?
I’m a self-taught artist. One thing I have learned n regards to painting is to try and keep things loose. It’s hard to do sometimes and I start obsessing to make it right, but I have to remember that for me the magic is in something that doesn’t look perfect.
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve made? And why? Where is it now?
I think my favourite piece is the painting that took me the longest. It is one of Andre the Giant fighting Hulk Hogan. It’s quite big and took me ages to paint all of the people’s faces in the crowd and it dragged on forever. I like the way it turned out though. It is wrapped up in my garage now because I don’t have a wall big enough to put it on.
What’s the strangest comment you’ve gotten from someone about your art?
Someone told me that they loved all of my paintings especially the one with all of the guys jumping from a helicopter, but I’ve never painted that.
If you could own any piece of art in the world, what would that be?
I love David Hockney’s portrait of an artist “Pool with Two Figures”. I saw it a while ago at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and kept going back to look at it. I would happily own that painting!
We gotta ask ya what are your FAVORITE Vans?
I’ve been wearing Vans forever! My favourites are probably Vans mid-skools. They last forever! Slip-ons are comfy as hell too. I just bought a pair of Velcro old skools too which I love.
If someone were visiting your city, what five things would you recommend they go check out?
I just started bushwalking in the Royal National Park in Southern Sydney. It is so out of character for me to do exercise, but it’s really addictive and it clears out my head being amongst nature. I’d probably recommend bushwalking and discovering some secluded beaches, swimming holes and scenic view points. Watch out for snakes though. My friend almost stepped on a brown snake a couple of weeks ago.The South Coast of Sydney is also an amazing place to drive around and explore. If you can get out on a boat, there are amazing waterways around Sydney. I get out on the Port Hacking River and some places we stop are so perfect – clear water and blue skies.
Finally, Marc what is up next for you in 2018?
I am working on a solo show at Michael Reid Gallery in August and then Sydney Contemporary Art Fair in September, along with a few other group shows.
