AUUDI : "TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR STORY"
My name is AUUDI, born and raised in New Orleans, LA. I would describe myself as a conceptual artist who plays on consumer marketing and black imagery. As far as I can remember art have always been a part of my childhood, as a kid simply sketching on my parent's doors, school desks and notebooks, eventually, I recognized my capabilities and then developed my personal viewpoint of the world.
Do you remember the earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?
Yes, it was in high school when I witness my art instructor receive an invite to the white house and making a living of doing art. It made me realize that there are no boundaries if you are willing to be in control of your destiny.
How would you say your childhood environment help mold your creative mindset?
My childhood environment was similar to any typical black kid growing up in the city. I was fortunate to be raised in a two parent household so there was structure. My friends and skateboarding played a lot in my creative growth. Having like-minded individuals on the same accord just doing things typical urban kids didn’t do.
“ There are no boundaries if you are willing to be in control of your destiny.”
Being from New Orleans-- Would you say the history of the city impacted your work?
It’s a love and hate relationship. So much history and not enough new history. You get me? People down here are used to the culture that they don’t care to see anything new. It’s like fear at times. I’ve learned how to balance myself between the two, bringing a pop art/ contemporary style and meshing it with some historical imagery or content. At the end of the day, New Orleans always give me something good to go off of because people down here are one of a kind.
I bumped into your work at HARUN cafe here in L.A, and I must say I was impressed and intrigued to know more about the artist. Your Crayola sculpture caught my attention, how long did that take you? what's the story behind the model?
After coming from Art Basel in 2016 my partner, AM8ER and I decided that we needed to take it to the next level. So, instead of putting all my ideas onto the canvas we decided to turn them into sculptures. The Crayola was our first attempt on building.
MAN! I believe it took 14 months to make. The concept of this piece is about different ethnicities and how the world judges group of people based off stereotypes.
CRAYOLA SCUPTURE
How do you go from converting an idea like that into a physical piece?
Most of the time I sit on my ideas for about 2-3 weeks just to see how pure the idea is and if I can find ways to translate it better. Crazy thing now, but lately I been having these debates on should I paint or build these ideas.
Give us an insight into your new work, what’s the title and influence behind it?
A lot of what people are beginning to see is work created in 2017-2018. Majority of my new ideas are still being mapped out for my next show late this year or early 2019. A lot of my influences come from vintage advertisement and consumer marketing tactics.
If you could go back to a decade to create your work where would you place yourself?
60’s or early 70’s. Everything from interior design, car design, and marketing was an art form.
Why?
Nowadays shit just feels like it lasts for 1-2 weeks then we go search for what’s next. Like you can still appreciate a 63’ Corvette StingRay just as much as 2018. I’m also fascinated with bright color ways and I believe color ways can persuade a person thoughts or feels.
What message would you like your viewers to get from your artwork?
Take control of your story, craft and understand the people are watching you. I believe my art is going to reflect everything I stood for once I'm gone and for the next generation of artists, let’s not box our creativity because we can create in any space or any style.
