Mat Collishaw on Beauty, Violence, and the Allure of Darkness

In a conversation with Artribune, British artist Mat Collishaw shares insights into his artistic journey, touching on themes of beauty and violence. He traces his evolution from the 1988 piece 'Bullet Hole' to his latest exhibition, 'Standing Water,' highlighting a subconscious-driven, agenda-free creative process. Collishaw compares his artistry to that of a magician, creating intricate works that seem simple. He examines the duality of beauty, comparing it to a thorny rose, and references nature, religion, and figures like Leni Riefenstahl, Albert Speer, and Hugo Boss as examples of manipulation. His exploration of violence, evident in 'All Things Fall,' ties to evolutionary psychology, influenced by Delacroix, Géricault, Caravaggio, Baudelaire, and Huysmans. He appreciates humor and catharsis in his art, steering clear of moral judgments. For his final meal on death row, he opts for brandy and cigarettes.