“I want people to see what Im seeing in my head but its hard to get that across as people interpret my work so differently, but thats just as important.”
Name
Fergus Polglase
Profession
Painter
Website
Who are you? What do you do?
I am in my final year studying Fine Art at Central St Martins in London, I move between painting, sculpture and making installations.
Where are you from?
I was brought up in a wonderful place called Newark, in Nottinghamshire.
Your style in 3 words?
Expressive but controlled.
Your weakness? Your strength?
Not knowing when to stop – perseverance
What makes you different?
I think everyone obviously sees things differently but artists also borrow from each other as well, so I think its hard to be completely different. My subject matter is based from my own weird experiences that no-one else would have seen through my eyes, with my father being in the army and having a creative mother I was outside all of the time taking everything in and making things. I want people to see what Im seeing in my head but its hard to get that across as people interpret my work so differently, but thats just as important.
When did you decide to become an artist?
I always wanted to be an illustrator from as early as I remember because I loved Roald Dahl’s books and Quentin Blake’s illustrations but when I started my foundation course in Falmouth I was put onto the painting course. Id never really painted that much before, especially in an abstract way but my eyes were opened to a different type of art I hadn’t experienced before and I really loved it.
What do you find most fascinating about your work?
How the finished item looks. I have no idea what my paintings are going to look like when I start the work so It can be a really lengthy process; mainly because there are so many layers in my work, Im constantly throwing down paint or making marks, then standing back and examining it. Half of the time I’m stood in front of the canvas Im thinking about what to do next. Sometimes its a really mentally exhausting time in the studio especially I’m spending a lot of money on paint and sometimes not finishing paintings for months, so when the painting starts to push back and have a life of its own its very satisfying, things go wrong but thats the fun of it i guess.
A few words about your favourite creation?
I don’t have a favourite, but Im really enjoying making my collages recently. Id love to be able to make my paintings look like my drawings/collages, They are a lot more fluid because I find drawing easier and less restricting to do – you’re also not waiting around for paint to dry.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
Ida Ekblad is a big inspiration and recently I’ve been looking at some amazing installations and videos by Alex Rathbone. My favourite painter however would probably be Phillip Guston, his drawings are comical but they’ve got a dark undertone that I love; his paintings are just as engaging especially because of the colour palette he uses – He’s been a big influence in the last couple of years.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
Im in an exhibition called Lateworks in early Jan which will be fun, its a two person show with myself and another artist who’s work is amazing. A band is going to make an impromptu response to our artworks which I cant wait to see. Apart from that Im going to start making some film, i think its a really nice medium to get a message across. Id love to make some ceramics to go with my paintings as well.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
Haslet
2019: Where are we going?
I’ve got my Degree show so I’m just making a lot of work for that, then I’ve got a residency in China for a month then off to travel around India.
When the going gets tough…
Go for a walk
Your city’s favourite spots?
The rochester in Stoke Newington, Canavans for karaoke + Leo’s for a greasy spoon
Do you have a vision?
Id like to not just be a painter but be able to have the freedom to explore everything, move into fashion, film, design, architecture etc.
What would you do if you could change the World?
something with the environment.
Tell us about your future plans…
Make some bigger work.
Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?
Sultans of Swing – Dire Straits / Charlie don’t surf – The Clash
